Celebrating Young Learners at TMAG

Come in Outside 

The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) will be buzzing with childhood educators, young learners and their families this weekend, as the museum celebrates International Museums Day on Saturday, 18 May.

Director Bill Bleathman said today and tomorrow the museum would play host to the Create, Connect, Empower state-wide forum as part of the Creative Connections in the Early Years project, a collaboration between TMAG and the Tasmanian Early Years Foundation (TEYF) designed to develop programs and support creative art experiences for young learners.

In addition, throughout the weekend a special interactive installation for preschool children and their families will be located in TMAG’s Central Gallery.

“Victorian theatre duo Pocketfool have created Come in Outside, which is sure to entertain and inspire our young visitors,” Mr Bleathman said.

“The Central Gallery will contain several ‘portals’ that will excite children’s fascination with cubbies, entrances and found spaces, and invite them to imagine what is beyond the door and to experience the delight of coming in… and going out….

“It’s wonderful that we are able to have this installation at TMAG, to not only coincide with Create, Connect, Empower, but also to help celebrate International Museums Day and National Families Week with the general public.”

Mr Bleathman said it was also a fantastic opportunity to be able to host the Create, Connect, Empower forum at the newly-redeveloped museum.

“I am particularly pleased that leading researcher and educator Dr Barbara Piscitelli AM is giving the forum’s keynote address, titled ‘Raising the bar – in search of quality in cultural programs for children and families’,” Mr Bleathman said.

“Dr Piscitelli will discuss how communities can promote cultural citizenship for young children, and identify the factors that lead to high quality in cultural programs for children and families.

“This is particularly relevant for us here at the redeveloped TMAG, where we are offering more interactive displays and resources than ever before to allow children to learn side-by-side with their families as they visit our museum.”

Mr Bleathman said the forum would also include plenary sessions and presentations by leading Tasmanian artists, cultural organisations and educators, and a panel discussion chaired by ABC Radio presenter Ryk Goddard.

For more information about the Creative Connections in the Early Years project, visit the TEYF website, www.earlyyears.org.au.

The Come in Outside installation will be in TMAG’s Central Gallery between 10:00 am and 11:00 am, and 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm on Saturday 18 May, and 10:00 am and 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm on Sunday 19 May.