In 2021-2022 the museum organised the first Children’s Biennale, an idea first introduced by the National Gallery in Singapore. Groningen had several objectives in mind – to design and programme the Biennale in collaboration with the National Gallery Singapore and Groningen artists; to create a new and positive form of art appreciation and art experiences for the young target group of 8-12-year-olds; to broaden the horizons of children and young people; to promote a new audience; and to expand and perpetuate collaborations with other local and regional organisations.
Due to its success a second Biennale was held in 2024 with a theme of ‘A Better Place’, the central question being how children can make their environment and world a better place. The aim was to stimulate curious young minds through art and imaginative play, challenging children to marvel at diverse and colourful works of contemporary artists and encouraging them to participate.
The museum’s education team developed an ambassador programme, and in the Biennale’s second edition children’s ambassadors were co-creators of the programmes. A group of 60 children from primary schools in specific priority neighbourhoods of the city and province played a prominent role in the programming, design, education and marketing of the Biennale. 24 youth ambassadors aged 16-22 were also recruited, sourced from social media and by a Museum Caravan travelling around the province to schools and festivals and offering workshops.
Interested young people were told they could be ambassadors and signed a contract with the museum. Treated as interns, the youth ambassadors were paid for their work in the exhibition halls and talking with visitors about the diverse and interactive displays.
The judges’ comment
The entire museum, including the management, supports the idea of the Children’s Biennale. The input of resources in money and personnel, in participatory efforts and outreach in the neighbourhood and province, is enormous. The number of visitors, especially children and families, has risen sharply and the impact on the children is very high. The Education Department is a role model for other institutions, with its responsibility for the timetable and finances of this large project.