Lyndsey&Murray Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 First time visit to the Dulwich Picture Gallery with my other half and 2 year old and was surprised at how ridiculous their rules are to the point of us turning and walking out... Firstly they told my other half that our daughter wasn't allowed to be held on his shoulders and instead to walk. Then I was told to carry my rucksack by hand (even though I'm 8 months pregnant). All this and we had just walked in through the door. We got the impression we weren't very welcome there!! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
scareyt Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 That doesn't sound very welcoming. :-( Maybe you were unlucky to encounter someone miserable on the door. They were really kind to my little boy after a nursery visit there recently - they let us come back in for free after the rest of the group left, and a lovely lady found him a pencil, paper and clip board so he could draw a picture like he had seen big kids doing, and was very sweet about admiring it when he brought his picture back to show her. They do have lots of antique furniture on display in every room as well as the pictures that you aren't allowed to touch or sit on which I think is a bit silly and our group was constantly being told not to touch the furniture when we got too close. Maybe that was why they were worried about the rucksack. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-766473 Share on other sites More sharing options...
minder Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 I can see what their rules are as maybe being on your husbands shoulders your 2 year old would only see the top half of a painting.The rucksack situation is something I tell my teenage girls to be aware of everyday. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-766479 Share on other sites More sharing options...
luciam Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I agree that they're unfriendly and unwelcoming. I haven't been back since being asked to leave an exhibition around 18 months ago. The problem? My 8 month old baby was being too noisy. She wasn't crying, in fact she was happy, but she was making some babbling/gurgling sounds, which were apparently distracting other visitors. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-766625 Share on other sites More sharing options...
alimc Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I am SO glad that someone else has mentioned this. I had my second visit to the DPG yesterday with my 2 year old and the staff were just oozing disapproval. I was very conscious that she should not be out of control and let run loose but the reality is that she is a small child and might be a little vocal and excited at times. However, at all times she was completely under control. At one point she was calling her Daddy from another room as she was excited to show him the "babies" in the various pictures. Now admittedly she did repeat herself at a volume above whispering but this was brief. The staff just stared at her and me with such hostility I couldn't get out of there fast enough. Museums are for everyone and I will continue to bring my child there but she will at times behave like a toddler because she is a toddler and if she wishes to express her excitement at the paintings then that's wonderful frankly. Awful people. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-766651 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I had a very positive experience there with my 9 year old - the staff couldn't have been nicer and more welcoming to us, and were especially lovely with him. I was surprised as with my innate chip-on-shoulder I expected we wouldn't be quite Dulwich Village-y enough but they proved me wrong, happily. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-766680 Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyE Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 For all those who have had bad experiences, I feel for you, really; I know that kind of thing can really ruin a trip, if not a day. But I am really surprised. I hAve had nothing but good experiences at the picture gallery with small children in tow, who have not always been perfectly behaved. So much so that for a bit it was a real place of sanctuary; somewhere to go when I was feeling a bit desperate. So I don't want to invalidate other people's experiences, but to try not to put everyone with children off, it can be great! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-766736 Share on other sites More sharing options...
KikiMac Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Yes, I've been on the receiving end of some fairly inflexibly applied rules at the Gallery and definitely been given the impression that children were not welcome in the gallery part. A friend of mine who visited recently was told by a staff member that she should take her children to the Horniman! Problem is, last time I went to the Horniman one of the staff members made my friend's children cry with his aggressive approach... Hmm... where to try next?! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-767131 Share on other sites More sharing options...
edanna Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Maybe it would be good for some of you who feel your children aren't welcome to get in touch with DPG. Maybe they could look at how the staff behave towards parents and children and maybe they could have a family afternoon where you won't get frowned at for having a small child with you. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-767145 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Are they staff or are they volunteers? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-767220 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkkmei Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 On the plus side, I took my son to their artplay & story sessions which they hold on certain Sundays. The art session was well organised and interesting. The story session was very well done too and there was no problem with the kids hogging the corner of one of the gallery rooms & being very interactive with the storyteller :) Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-767366 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Mac Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Pugwash Wrote:-------------------------------------------------------> Are they staff or are they volunteers?Staff I imagine - why would they be volunteers? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-767403 Share on other sites More sharing options...
campbellchris Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Kikimac - I"d venture that might have just been a bad day for the staff member in question (totally not acceptable), but we go to the Horniman (at least) every couple of weeks (toddler loves the aquarium and the dinosaur and the walrus and...), and they've almost always been brilliant - i think the cafe staff can be a bit arsey at times, but that's a cafe thing, rather than the museum. Go back, honest, they're really nice! :) Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-769850 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Growlybear Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 The Horniman have a number of volunteers who work in many areas of the museum. They are often students who are building up experience of community or voluntary work in preparation for their university applications. My daughter worked as a volunteer at the Horniman for around a year when she was in the Sixth Form, and most of the time, she was in areas where she was in close contact with the public, and children in particular. Mick Mac Wrote:-------------------------------------------------------> Pugwash Wrote:> --------------------------------------------------> -----> > Are they staff or are they volunteers?> > Staff I imagine - why would they be volunteers? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-769955 Share on other sites More sharing options...
samovar Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 My young children were told off for running in the big open space downstairs in the Horniman by a grumpy member of staff. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-770090 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hpsaucey Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Museums often don't allow/discourage running for H&S reasons and for context kids in schools aren't usually allowed to run inside the school building either.However - there are ways and then there are ways of getting kids to slow down - being grumpy isn't the answer. HP (seeing all sides as a curator, H&S rep, and mum with young kids). samovar Wrote:-------------------------------------------------------> My young children were told off for running in the> big open space downstairs in the Horniman by a> grumpy member of staff. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-770506 Share on other sites More sharing options...
oimissus Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 yes, my daughter and a friend's children were told off for running in the open space at the Horniman - there was no-one else there and we were keeping an eye on them so I really couldn't see what the problem was. And I say that as someone who doesn't allow her child to run in a supermarket or other inappropriate places.DPG I have always found rather snooty, even before having Miss Oi. And it annoys me beyond belief that you can't just pay to see an exhibition, you have to pay for the whole thing. Sort it out, DPG! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-770539 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrandNewGuy Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 "British artist Jake Chapman has said taking children to art galleries is "total a waste of time".He told The Independent parents were "arrogant" for thinking their children could understand artists like Mark Rothko or Jackson Pollock.Standing a child in front of a Pollock work is "like saying... it's as moronic as a child", said Chapman, adding "children are not human yet"."http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-28639242 Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-770999 Share on other sites More sharing options...
etta166 Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Interesting view. I find that children see art very differently from adults, probably because their priorities and view on life are so different. It's interesting to go to a gallery with children. And if you don't take children to see art, how will they learn to appreciate it? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-771053 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbonara Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 "A friend of mine who visited recently was told by a staff member that she should take her children to the Horniman! " Talk about patronising!And Jake Chapman should be more open minded - my child spent ages really deeply gazing at the Rothkos in the Tate. He didn't have anything pretentious and / or intellectual to say afterwards - but then I don't know many adults who can articulate exactly why they like Rothko. But there is no doubt that at 6 he really enjoyed something about looking at them.I do have a wry smile at some of the loud parenting that goes on at Tate modern, though, as parents strive to let us all know how art-aware their talented and cultured children are ;) Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-771463 Share on other sites More sharing options...
alimc Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 A debate on the Today show on Monday about whether or not taking kids to art galleries is a waste of time was pegged to Chapman's comments. It was a great debate. Here's the link: 2hrs 48mins in http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04cb5sf Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-771614 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hpsaucey Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Put it bluntly - Jake Chapman has a new show to promote hence the 'controversial' commments.HP Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-771848 Share on other sites More sharing options...
canela Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 for those that like art...the National Gallery has a facility where you can custom make tour guides for kids, i.e. make you own painting trail to look at dragons, horses, soldiers etc. my 8 year old absolutely loves it....my 4 year old less so. I don't think it's necessarily about whether kids "like" art or not .... most young kids have a limited attention span, so yes they love going to museums etc but visits best kept short! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-771904 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DullwichVilllageLady Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Its an art gallery. Keep your children away from it so the rest of us can enjoy it peace. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-772022 Share on other sites More sharing options...
edanna Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Yawn DVL. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/47033-unfriendly-dulwich-picture-gallery/#findComment-772079 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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