The National Gallery in London is a big art gallery in Trafalgar Square, where you can see famous paintings from around the world. The Roden Centre for Creative Learning is a brand-new space at the National Gallery where kids, young people, and families can explore, create, and play. One of the UK’s largest gallery learning centres, it offers hands-on activities inspired by the National Gallery’s world-class paintings – from drawing and painting to building and interactive play. Designed with input from over 100 school-age children, the Centre is a place where young imaginations can thrive. Drop in for free on weekends and school holidays, it’s the perfect spot to experiment, discover, and have fun with art!
The Roden Centre for Creative Learning is now open. Find out more here.
1. It’s a building with a history.
The Centre was originally built in 1975 and now has 900m² of space for creativity and fun.
That’s bigger than 3 tennis courts!
2. Meet the architect!
Hannah Lawson designed the Roden Centre for Creative Learning but if she hadn’t become an architect, she might have been a pilot or even an aeronautical engineer!
3. Sound matters at the Roden Centre for Creative Learning.
Special new ceilings have been designed to make voices sound clearer – so no more echoes when you’re telling your best ideas!
4. Weekends just got more creative!
You and your family can visit for free at weekends and school holidays.
Best of all? Many of the activities were designed by kids, for kids!
5. You can discover a wall full of secrets.
The entrance wall is like a giant puzzle!
Can you spot its hidden shapes in the paintings inside the Gallery?
6. A virtual world awaits!
Play the brand-new augmented reality adventure, created with kids!
7. Lockers have a colourful twist.
School groups get their own lockers, and inside each one is a different colour inspired by the National Gallery’s iconic paintings!
Can you guess which ones?
8. Little houses for big ideas.
Inspired by paintings in the Gallery, little hideaway houses have been created for kids to sit in, think, read, and draw.
Could one be your next secret clubhouse?
9. The builders were on a mission.
Builders had to break through a ceiling to make a new art studio – but power tools would have shaken the paintings in the Gallery!
Instead, they used hand tools, making it a very slow but careful process.
10. Don’t forget… waste not, create more!
The benches and stools are made from leftover wood from the Gallery’s framing department, and the draining boards?
They’re made from recycled yoghurt pots!
Add a commentThe Roden Centre for Creative Learning is open now. Find out more here.