Bengaluru’s NGMA launches Art Detective Cards. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
By Meghna Barik
In an effort to bridge the often-understood gap between art and the everyday audience, the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Bengaluru has introduced the Art Detective Card – an interactive tool designed to engage children and enhance their understanding of the world of art. Designed to arouse interest. Art.
This initiative, recently launched in collaboration with the Rereti Foundation, is an important step towards making museums more inclusive and accessible to the younger generation. The launch event, which took place in the museum’s serene Sculpture Garden, was a lively event, featuring a dramatic performance by Bangalore Little Theatre. The troupe presented adaptations of Rabindranath Tagore’s plays, adding the magic of storytelling to an evening that celebrated creativity and exploration.
Art Detective Cards are designed to turn a visit to the NGMA into a treasure hunt for young visitors. Aimed at two different age groups – 6 to 8 years and 9 to 10 years – the cards present clues and tasks that help children identify and interact with artefacts, especially sculptures from the permanent collection of NGMA Bengaluru. Encourage for.
Bengaluru’s NGMA launches Art Detective Cards. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The cards are available in English, Kannada and Hindi, ensuring inclusion across linguistic boundaries. Visitors can borrow cards from the museum’s art shop for a nominal deposit fee. The idea is simple: children use cards to explore and solve puzzles around artifacts. Once they complete the activity, they can return the card and receive a small sticker set as a reward, making the experience both engaging and rewarding.
Talking about the initiative, Priyanka Mary Francis, Director, NGMA Bengaluru, said, “In 2009, when NGMA Bengaluru was conceptualised, a similar card game was introduced. However, the rotating nature of our exhibitions made the original cards obsolete. With no permanent display, the cards became obsolete.”
Determined to reinvent this concept, Priyanka and her team aimed to create a device that was not only educational but also sustainable. “The Sculpture Garden has a permanent set of artworks in both the exterior and interior. This allowed us to design a sustainable activity that engages children meaningfully.
Bengaluru’s NGMA launches Art Detective Cards. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
NGMA’s collaboration with Rereti Foundation, a Bengaluru-based organization specializing in museum strategies and programs, brought a professional and community-centric approach to this initiative. Known for his expertise in designing programs that foster a sense of belonging in cultural spaces, Rereti played a key role in the redevelopment of the card.
Art is often considered an elite field, inaccessible to many people, especially children. By introducing these cards, NGMA Bengaluru wants to eliminate this perception and make art more accessible.
“Many children go to museums because their parents bring them, not because they are naturally inclined to explore art. The cards provide them an opportunity to engage with art on their own terms, turning the trip into an adventure rather than a chore,” said Priyanka.
Cards are more than just a means of entertainment; They serve as an entry point into the larger world of art appreciation. By stimulating curiosity and fostering insightful conversation, they lay the foundation for a lifelong connection with the arts. By creating a child-friendly environment, NGMA hopes to encourage repeat visits and foster a culture of art appreciation among young audiences.
Thankfully, this initiative is not a one-off event. NGMA Bengaluru plans to introduce new detective cards for more exhibitions, to ensure that the activity evolves with the museum’s offerings.
Art Detective Cards are now available at NGMA Bengaluru.
published – December 09, 2024 12:30 PM IST
