Sound Pictures

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The following has been designed to give you information in advance of your visit to Manchester Art Gallery so that you can get the most out of your morning or afternoon activity session.

Aims:

Group of children playing with plastic at Sound Pictures workshop

  • To make the pupils visit to a public art gallery an enjoyable and memorable experience
  • To introduce and welcome young visitors to the gallery building and key pieces from its collections
  • To explore the qualities of a paintings through sound and how this helps bring the paintings to life
  • To expand pupils vocabulary for describing artworks and qualities of sounds and to develop skills in music, singing and movement

What happens in a session:

  • The session is made up of three parts: a warm up in the studio, a tour around the gallery followed by a practical experience in the studio
  • Pupils will be able to engage with selected of artworks, using them to develop stories and to create related soundscapes
  • Pupils will explore a range of ways of making sound, sing simple songs, use rhythm chants and match movements to music
  • The tour will be led by a gallery educator who will stay with the group throughout

Preparation:

  • The children will get more out of the visit if they are 1) able to repeat simple rhythmic patterns 2) familiar with playing simple percussion instruments 3) able to follow musical signals as directed
  • Explain the reasons for no touching or eating in the galleries, i.e. for the protection and conservation of artworks
  • Bring a minimum of 1 adult to 5 pupils and ensure that adults are briefed to be aware of their supervisory role and responsibilities for engaging the children
  • If you wish to bring some drinks/snacks for very young children, we can incorporate a short break for between the 2 activities. Bring your own refreshments: cartons of juice or milk, fruit or biscuits.

Follow Up:

  • Look at images of snow scenes and listen to the following pieces of classical music to see what images they evoke, create a dance piece or make up stories: 1) Serenade of the Doll form the Children’s Corner Suite - Debussy 2) Dance of the Sugar Plum fairy– Tchaikovsky 3) Dance of the Unhatched Chicks from Pictures of an Exhibition – Mussorgsky
  • Play other styles of music that could evoke similar atmospheres or contrasts
  • Use a variety of sounds as a basis for drawing and making marks

For more information including booking, parking, facilities and a downloadable risk assessment, please go to plan your visit.