Free half time fun at local art galleries in Stratford and Leamington
This half term, as the rain pours and families search for engaging indoor activities, Clarendon Fine Art is inviting local families to experience a hub of creativity and inclusion.
Until 22nd February, Clarendon Fine Art galleries in Stratford Upon Avon and Leamington are encouraging families to visit and pick up a complimentary competition pack designed to inspire children’s artistic expression, with winners having their artwork professionally framed and displayed in the gallery.
One national winner, selected by acclaimed British artist Doug Hyde, will receive a family art consultation, a £2,500 artwork of their choice, and an iPad with Apple Pencil. Kids can also enjoy an in-gallery art treasure hunt, making art exploration fun and interactive.
New research commissioned by reveals that more than a third (37%) of parents actively avoid cultural venues because they feel they are “too adult-orientated”, while over a quarter (27%) fear their child “won’t be welcome”. In addition, nearly one in five parents (18%) worry about disturbing other visitors, highlighting a growing anxiety around judgement in traditionally quiet cultural spaces.
In a country celebrated for its world-class galleries and theatres, the findings suggest a deeper issue: cultural spaces may still feel coded as exclusive, restrained environments rather than welcoming places for families.
The research paints a picture of parents who care deeply about culture but feel constrained by unspoken rules. Over a quarter (27%) of parents say concerns about their children’s behaviour stop them from attending cultural venues, reinforcing the idea that galleries and museums are perceived as places requiring silence, restraint and conformity.
Clarendon Fine Art believes this perception is outdated and is on a mission to reposition galleries as welcoming, vibrant spaces where families can explore creativity together.
The local galleries can be found in Regent Court Shopping Centre in Leamington and on Sheep Street in Stratford-Upon-Avon, with 90 gallery locations nationwide.