Kids design fun and impactful experiences for other children
During the winter school holidays children can participate in a range of fun and impactful new arts experiences at ArtPlay designed by an ensemble of young idea makers called the By Kids for Kids Collective.
For the past year, during a couple of catch ups each school term, the collective have reinvented the mixed messages from an adult world to create Don’t Panic, Everything Is Urgent.
With so many conflicting instructions from parents, teachers and other authorities, it is hard to work out what is actually urgent and worth panicking over.
The four activities created as part of Don’t Panic, Everything Is Urgent will be presented in a place that cannot decide if it is official or ridiculous, serious or silly (it’s definitely both!). The only reasonable reaction is to laugh.
For one week, the collective will shake up ArtPlay to deliver Don’t Panic, Everything Is Urgent, where everything will be mixed up, turned upside down and new examples will definitely be set. The four activities are:
- The World is Lava – A physical challenge obstacle course that navigates natural disasters and everyday anxieties. Each path includes tricky tasks themed on an urgent idea.
- How Do You Get Power? – A performance workshop to create your own leader with costumes and props that style your own photo shoot. There’s also an opportunity to ask questions about power, passion and ambitions.
- Can Everyone Please Calm Down? – Come and try the chillax stations designed to achieve maximum calm, peace and serenity. Place your vote for the best station, which could be time with plants, sipping peppermint tea or cuddling cushions.
- Arguments For and Against Having Children – A fun and provocative panel discussion about being a parent and having children. Hear opinions from a panel of kids and adults.
Everything turns in on itself. Everything is an emergency.
But don’t panic – after all, everything is urgent.
Quickly get down to ArtPlay these school holidays and hang out with the By Kids for Kids Collective.
ArtPlay and House of Muchness have creatively co-developed the By Kids for Kids Collective and Don’t Panic, Everything Is Urgent.
By Kids for Kids Collective shake up ArtPlay to deliver:
Don’t Panic, Everything Is Urgent
Experiences for children that reinvent the mixed messages from an adult world.
Season 1 – 9 July 2023
Location ArtPlay – Birrarung Marr, behind Fed Square, Russell Street exit
Book at melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay
Quotes attributable to Matilda – By Kids for Kids Collective
“I love all the people in our ensemble. Spending time with different minds is really special. Doing this has made me feel really proud and hopeful that kids are more involved in planning things in the future.”
“I don’t think you need to be an adult to be a leader. I think kids know quite well what kids enjoy. So, it makes sense to do it like this. Just because we’re children, doesn’t mean we’re the wrong person for the job – we’re the right kind of people for the job, to be the guides of the fun.”
Quotes attributable to Alex Walker – House of Muchness
“The By Kids for Kids Collective is an ensemble of rich personalities and imaginations. The ideas created for Don’t Panic, Everything Is Urgent are many things at once: fascinating, confronting and entertaining.”
“Spending time with these incredible kids for the past year has been revealing. They have respectfully pointed out the inconsistencies in the mixed messages around urgency that come from adults. There is so much confusion and they do so well to navigate it.”
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Sally Capp – City of Melbourne
“This is a really special and unique ArtPlay initiative – a program designed exclusively by kids for kids.”
“Giving children the power to express themselves freely and be their own directors is an incredible opportunity to showcase creative talent – this is a must do experience for the school holidays.”
Schedule: Don’t Panic, Everything Is Urgent
Sat 1 Jul 2023 at 10am, 12pm, 2pm – The World is Lava
Sun 2 Jul 2023 at 10am, 12pm – The World is Lava
Thu 6 Jul 2023 at 10.30am, 1.30pm – How Do You Get Power?
Fri 7 Jul 2023 at 10.30am – How Do You Get Power?
Sat 8 Jul 2023 at 10am, 11.45am, 2pm – Can Everyone Please Calm Down?
Sun 9 Jul 2023 at 2pm – Arguments For and Against Having Children
By Kids for Kids Collective
Abel (12 years old) – Activist
Blazey (12 years old) – Critic
Gianne (10 years old) – Precisionist
Jude (10 years old) – Wildcard
Luca (10 years old) – Foodie-Gamer
Matilda (11 years old) – Dreamer
Miwa (11 years old) – Analyst
Otto (9 years old) – Philosopher
The collective is guided and supported by House of Muchness: Alex Walker and Hannah Liddeaux.
ArtPlay
Web melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay
Instagram @artplaykids
Facebook @ArtPlayKids
Twitter @ArtPlayKids
YouTube @artplaymelbourne
Hashtags #ByKidsforKidsCollective #Don’tPanicEverythingIsUrgent
