National Gallery of Victoria Announces $1.95m Grant for Children's Programs

A major $1.95m grant devoted to children's programming and initiatives at the National Gallery of Victoria was announced today. Supporting the NGV's vision to become an international leader in children's programming, this significant philanthropic grant, to apply over a five-year period, was generously given by the Truby and Florence Williams Charitable Trust.

Tony Ellwood, Director, NGV, said, "It is very important to us that our programs engage our kids and family audiences in enriching ways, ensuring that children too enjoy a vibrant and inspiring art gallery. This extraordinarily generous grant shows exceptional vision and will allow the NGV to initiate meaningful and substantial cultural change by creating programs that will reach all members of our community."

The grant comes at a pivotal moment in the NGV's history; assisting the organisation to realise an expanded and unprecedented vision and ambition. With the support of the Truby and Florence Williams Charitable Trust children's and families' visiting experiences will now be placed at the forefront of the NGV's long-term plans for enhanced audience engagement.

Initiatives to be announced in the coming year as a result of this $1.95m grant will include:

• highly innovative exhibitions featuring interactive artworks created especially for children and families by important national and international contemporary artists;

• specially commissioned artworks (for the permanent collection) created especially for children by important national and international artists;

• a range of child-friendly interpretive resources and technologies;

• funding towards the operation of a children's gallery to open later in 2013;

• dedicated children's publications featuring lively, engaging and informative texts, full colour images, and fun activities to do at home or at school. The publications will make art education relevant and accessible to young audiences while extending art experiences beyond the Gallery precincts;

• new and ongoing annual touring programs to ensure audiences, particularly children and families in regional and rural communities, can enjoy and participate in exhibitions, workshops and activities in their hometown.