de Appel team has been working on inviting children and parents into our programmes. Our experience at some art institutions has been one where often silence and stillness is privileged, which alienates children and parents and instills social conditioning. Accommodating children enables parents to participate more fully in cultural spaces rather than being sidelined due to caregiving responsibilities. Embracing child-friendly environments means rethinking what behavior is considered acceptable in cultural spaces. We have been thinking about this recently with artist Mercedes Azpilicueta who will be employing her sculptures as characters and composite costumes for children as well as building a sensory experience where children and adults can experience play as an act of invention rather than mere imitation (Brian Sutton-Smith).

The exhibition will include days where schools can book time slots and workshops on Wednesdays and Fridays, between 11am and 2pm. Saturdays will include a programme of workshops and live music for children open to all. If you would like more information about booking a workshop, please contact info [​at​] deappel.nl.

The exhibition will be activated through children’s free play and a series of artist-led workshops. These workshops, facilitated by Mercedes Azpilicueta herself, Antonia Fittipaldi, Anna Klas, Lina Bravo Mora, Raoni Muzoh Saleh, Gleb Maiboroda and Vere Van Der Veen, will explore the exhibition's sound and movement elements, costumes, and sculptural/play environment through storytelling, dwelling-making, weaving, sound-making, and planting. Since this is a child centered exhibition, rather than being guided or instructed, children will be accompanied, with activities adapted to their collective rhythms, needs, and desires. Parents are welcome to participate, and the workshops are open to children aged 4–12. A detailed schedule will be shared at the end of August.

This project is supported by Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst, Mondriaan Fonds, Elja Foundation, Stadsdeel Zuid, Fonds Cultuurparticipatie and Iona Stichting