Queensland kids get a taste of Spain

Arts Minister Ros Bates has welcomed the news that children state-wide will enjoy a taste of Spain thanks to the Queensland Art Gallery and the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation.

Ms Bates said the initiative would be a culture boost for thousands of school kids.

“Every state and independent primary school and Indigenous Knowledge Centre in Queensland will receive a complimentary copy of the book Portrait of Spain for Kids, produced to complement the exhibition Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado at the Queensland Art Gallery,” Ms Bates said.

“The distribution of this beautiful book to 1490 schools and 20 Indigenous Knowledge Centres is timed perfectly for Children’s Book Week (18-24 August).

“Portrait of Spain for Kids was developed by the Gallery's Children's Art Centre as a resource for early childhood and primary educators and students as well as children and their families to enjoy.

“It highlights some of the most significant artists and artwork from the extensive collection of Madrid’s esteemed Museo Nacional del Prado.

“Pepe the rabbit introduces children to 10 artworks from the exhibition with full colour images, information about the artists, fun facts about Spanish history and culture and instructions for at-home activities.”

Ms Bates said the book also complemented a number of education resources developed by the Gallery that address aspects of the Queensland syllabus including languages, studies of society and the environment, drama and the arts.

“The production and distribution of this book was made possible thanks to the very generous support of the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, a long term supporter of the Gallery's Children's Art Centre,” she said.

“I'm very pleased students throughout Queensland, whether regional or city-based, will have access to this incredible exhibition, which is the largest international exhibition ever undertaken by the Prado and was especially curated for Brisbane.

“Portrait of Spain for Kids is the Gallery’s fourth children’s book and it is gaining an award-winning reputation for them.

“Drawing Life for Kids: My Art Journal, which was published as an extension of the exhibition Matisse: Drawing Life was named the Best Designed Children’s Non-Fiction Book at the Australian Publisher’s Association Book Design Awards 2012.”

Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado is on at the Queensland Art Gallery until November 4, 2012. For more information on school group bookings and education resources visit: www.qagoma.qld.gov.au

[ENDS] 22 August 2012

Media Contact: Ken Vernon 0431 027 017