Guardian launches 'Young at art' series on navigating galleries with toddlers
Chloë Ashby launches 'Young at art,' a new Guardian series examining the challenges and rewards of bringing young children to art galleries. The series was sparked by a personal incident at London's Royal Academy, where Ashby's toddler threw a toy pig near Kerry James Marshall's paintings during a visit. This experience prompted questions about the compatibility of small children with gallery environments and whether venues like the Young V&A might be more suitable. Ashby aims to explore practical strategies for making museum visits enjoyable and less stressful for both parents and children. The series will address potential dangers, such as artwork damage, while highlighting the delights of early art exposure. The inaugural piece reflects on balancing personal cultural interests with a child's needs in institutional settings. Future installments promise to offer guidance based on real-world gallery experiences with toddlers.
Key facts
- Chloë Ashby authors the 'Young at art' series for The Guardian
- The series focuses on introducing small children to art galleries
- Inspiration came from an incident at the Royal Academy in London
- Ashby's toddler threw a toy pig near Kerry James Marshall paintings
- The series questions if galleries are compatible with young children
- Alternatives like the Young V&A museum are considered
- The goal is to make gallery visits stress-free for families
- The series will explore both delights and dangers of early art exposure
Entities
Artists
- Kerry James Marshall
Institutions
- The Guardian
- Royal Academy
- Young V&A
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom