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Art Steps

Close-up photograph of child playing with paper

Do you love making? Are you interested in how artists work? Join us from home to discover, create and share.

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Looking for ways to fill a rainy afternoon, or a quiet evening? Art From Home is designed for the whole family to roll up their sleeves and get creative.

You can also listen to our range of podcasts, read our stories, or watch videos of artists at work. If you are a teacher or student, be sure to check out our learning resources or book an online program.

Art Steps


Written by artists for kids and families, Art Steps are instructions that invite you to create your own work of art. At the Gallery, join us at the Family Desk. From home, create and share by following the step-by-step instructions below.

Art Steps: Jeffrey Smart

Jeffrey Smart was interested in the visual experience of being in a city. He enjoyed painting the simple shapes and bold colours of signs set in city landscapes.

Make a geometric sign inspired by Jeffrey Smart to display in your neighbourhood.

  1. Collect paper with bold colours
  2. Cut shapes, such as triangles, squares, or zigzags
  3. Arrange the shapes on cardboard to make a sign. How can you use shapes to communicate your message?
  4. Stick everything in place with glue or tape
  5. Display your sign in your neighbourhood
  6. Take a picture and send it to us.
4 children and 2 adults sitting in a circle doing craft together.

Installation view of Clement Meadmore, Virginia, 1970, purchased 1973 © Meadmore Sculptures, LLC. VAGA/Copyright Agency

Art Family


We’ve collaborated with some of the most exciting artists in Australia and the world to put together activities for you to do at home. Download the PDF activity sheets to get started.

Jess Johnson: Perspective
Justene Williams: Fans
Louise Weaver: Birds
Kerrie Poliness: Toasting LeWitt
Raquel Ormella: Flags for bedroom nations
Iltja Ntjarra: Colouring Country
Noŋgirrŋa Marawili: Bottle barramundi
Jumaadi: Magic stage
Jenny Kee: Paper waratahs
Melinda Harper: Grace Crowley
Hands on studio: Kitchen Range
GHOSTPATROL: Reimagining the gallery
Mikala Dwyer: Magical power house
Karla Dickens: Koalas
Justene Williams: Dress with Delaunay
Daniel Boyd: Collage
Tony Albert: Making masks
Reko Rennie: Send a message
David Wallace: Horse rider sculptures
Arone Meeks: The big boat adventure
Angelina Pwerle: Animal portrait prints

Related


Video

Kids and Families experience the NGA's Hyper Real exhibition

A video still of a family looking at a sculpture in an exhibition

Published 01 March 2018

For Adults

In a large galley space a woman examines a wall of framed and bright posters
Kids & Families

Art Together: Jeffrey Smart

Past Event
A young child is crouched down touching some paint they have put on the floor using a paint roller they are holding

Sun 30 Jan 2022, multiple session times

Exhibition

Kids Mapping their World

28 Jul 2001—4 Nov 2001

Programs

Small group of school children in the first nations galleries viewing Emily Kame Kngwarreye’s Yam awely.

For Kids & Families

A young boy and his mother sit at a table of artmaking materials doing an activity
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Yuuma, Gurruburri

The National Gallery acknowledges the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Kamberri/Canberra region, and recognises their continuous connection to culture, community and Country.

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Opening Acknowledgment of Country

The National Gallery acknowledges the First Peoples of this land and recognises their continuous connection to culture, community and Country

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