Largest ever NGV Kids on Tour program brings free art activities to 130 venues across Victoria

The Victorian Government is supporting the largest ever NGV Kids on Tour program, enabling the gallery to deliver free art and creative activities to more than 130 venues across the state.

The 2023 Kids on Tour program is taking place in galleries, libraries, paediatric hospitals, neighbourhood houses, migrant resource centres and community organisations in regional, suburban and metropolitan areas across the state.

Delivering fun and free activities in community spaces across Melbourne’s inner and outer suburbs, the program will provide families with easy access to school holiday entertainment at more than 35 locations across the city.

Regional stops will span the state from Horsham to Bendigo and Warracknabeal to West Gippsland, offering local families access to creative experiences curated by the world-class team from Melbourne’s NGV.

This year’s tour celebrates the theme ‘Let’s Make Art’, offering captivating and creative activities for kids and their families. The program also offers dedicated workshops for teens to help them hone their skills and build their portfolios, with leading artists sharing their expertise and experience with Victoria’s budding creatives.

NGV Kids on Tour commenced in 2014 and is one of the ways the gallery is bringing the best art and creative experiences to Victorians of all ages, no matter where they live.

NGV Director Tony Ellwood notes “since its inaugural year in 2014, the Kids on Tour Program has demonstrated the NGV’s commitment to providing Victorians of all ages with the opportunity to engage with art and design from around the world.”

NGV’s year-round outreach programs range from talks at regional galleries and loans of iconic items from the NGV Collection to online social activities for senior citizens and activities for people living in aged care.

Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos notes “this school holidays we’re delivering more free activities to families across the state, with the largest ever Kids on Tour program offering parents and kids memorable moments led by the world-class team at the NGV.

“Victoria is the creative state and the free NGV Kids on Tour program is one of the ways we are ensuring that all Victorians have the chance to unleash their inner artist and enjoy the best creative experiences close to home.”

NGV Kids on Tour is part of a massive summer of programming for children and families at the NGV, which will see the NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia come alive with free family activities for the Kids Summer Festival 2023 from 14th to 22nd January.