This July school holidays, the NGV is turning its galleries into places of discovery, dialogue, and creative play—with a special focus on First Nations stories and art. From weaving with Ngarrindjeri artist Emma Stenhouse to free entry for kids to the Cats & Dogs exhibition, the Ian Potter Centre and NGV International will come alive with family-friendly events shaped by both culture and imagination.
The highlight lands on Saturday 12 July, when the Ian Potter Centre at Fed Square hosts a full day of free programming to mark NAIDOC Week. It’s not just about viewing art but making it too. Kids can try their hand at weaving a Pondi fish, take part in story time sessions led by Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri educator Tania Rossi, and explore exhibitions like Wurrdha Marra and Bark Salon, which feature the work of senior and emerging First Nations artists.
Rossi, a respected community educator and artist, will also guide a special family tour through Wurrdha Marra. Her approach blends storytelling with cultural connection, drawing on her work with the Koorie Heritage Trust and her own art practice. “It’s about inviting young people into stories of Country, community and belonging,” she says.
Later that day, NGV curators and conservators will host a kids’ conservation talk centred around the Bark Salon exhibition. The session is designed to give younger audiences a glimpse into how artworks are cared for, preserved and honoured. It’s art appreciation from the inside out—and an invitation to see galleries not just as quiet spaces, but as keepers of living stories.
The NAIDOC Week program also includes a teen-focused session on Sunday 7 July with Emma Stenhouse, who brings her unique blend of fashion, printmaking and cultural knowledge to a hands-on sewing workshop. Participants will learn embroidery and embellishment techniques while reflecting on themes from the natural world.
Stenhouse, who took part in the Koorie Heritage Trust’s Blak Design program in 2024, has exhibited at Kinya Lerrk and worked with major brands like Vue and Myer. Her art practice is rooted in both creativity and education—making her a strong guide for teens looking to bring meaning to their wardrobe.
Outside of NAIDOC-specific events, the NGV has lined up a broader school holiday program. One of the most anticipated is Cats & Dogs, a quirky exhibition at both NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre that explores how our furry companions have shaped art across cultures and centuries. From antique sculptures to modern design, it’s an affectionate look at human-animal bonds—and from 5 to 20 July, children get in free with any adult ticket purchase.
Sustainability takes centre stage at NGV International with Plans for the Planet, an exhibition created in collaboration with Swiss artist Olaf Breuning. Through a mix of bright visuals, interactive experiences and multimedia installations, kids are encouraged to think about the future of the planet in ways that feel both fun and empowering.
Tying into the environmental theme is a two-day Restoring Corridors collage workshop with artists Gracia Haby and Louise Jennison. Taking place on 15 and 16 July, this drop-in activity invites families to imagine new ecosystems and wildlife corridors using cut-outs and paper-based art. The workshop builds on themes of conservation, biodiversity and creativity—supported by Bupa, the NGV’s principal partner.
All events are free unless otherwise stated, and many don’t require booking—though some, like the teen sewing session, do. Families keen to join are encouraged to check the NGV website for times, details and any updates.
Through it all, the NGV’s holiday offering sticks to one principle: that children are not just welcome in the gallery but vital to its purpose. Whether it’s learning how to preserve bark paintings, hearing stories of Country from a trusted community leader, or making paper ecosystems with glue and scissors, the July program invites children to see art as part of everyday life—layered, lively and theirs to shape.
For bookings and full listings, visit:
- NAIDOC Week Celebration: ngv.vic.gov.au/naidoc-week-celebration
- Family tour with Tania Rossi: ngv.vic.gov.au/program/family-tour-with-tania-rossi
- Sewing with Emma Stenhouse: ngv.vic.gov.au/program/ngv-teens-drop-by-with-emma-stenhouse
- Kids go free: ngv.vic.gov.au/program/kids-go-free-2
- Olaf Breuning for Kids: ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/plans-for-the-planet
- Restoring Corridors Workshop: ngv.vic.gov.au/program/restoring-corridors-collage-workshop-with-gracia-and-louise
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