In London there is an overwhelming amount of art which can be difficult to appreciate or take in, particularly as a child. The Little Grand Tour is a new company that aims to inspire children with a life-long love of art and equip them to understand its meaning and significance. 
By taking them round art galleries and museums on fun and stimulating ‘tours’, famous works such as Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Constable’s Haywain and even the Turner Prize exhibits come to life. They are studied in a relaxed and informative manner with the primary aim being to make the session fun and interactive. The children are encouraged to look deeper into the works and begin to build up a web of knowledge of artistic icons and vocabulary that can apply to all art.
One of the key aims of The Little Grand Tour is to teach children how to recognise the style and characteristics of different artists. It is our hope that this will enable them to enter a gallery in future years and feel confident in recognising certain works rather than being overwhelmed.
During the tours worksheets are provided and drawing is encouraged. The small size of the groups means that children are confident in contributing to discussions and asking questions. We also help them to build up a postcard collection primarily to aid their memories, but these also provide a useful tool when telling their parents about all they have learnt.
Tours take place at the National Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, the National Portrait Gallery, the Courtauld Gallery and the V&A Museum, and are arranged around certain themes or artists. Two of our most popular tours are ‘A Big Impression’ at the National Gallery discovering the Impressionists and ‘Funny Faces’ at Tate Britain looking at the art of portraiture from the Tudors through to the 20th century.
We regularly introduce new tours and also visit specific temporary exhibitions which we think children would enjoy.
FEEDBACK: “A visit to London from the country and a chance to visit Tate Britain! Isabel Lamb was the perfect person to show two children a small part of the collection which included Constable’s landscapes, a contrast of modern art (interesting!) and a look at the art of portraiture during The Tudors without either exhausting them or completely putting them off!
Hector ‘loved the talents of all the different artists and the colour they used’ and Katy ‘liked looking at Constable’s picture of “Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows” and having to describe it’. They are both looking forward to visiting another museum in London this holidays with The Little Grand Tour.” (Parent, Wiltshire)
HISTORY: The Little Grand Tour was started by Isabel Lamb in 2009. An Art History graduate, Isabel is passionate about art and an entertaining and informative guide. She has assembled a group of highly knowledgeable yet approachable tutors.
For more information visit www.thelittlegrandtour.co.uk
Web: www.thelittlegrandtour.co.uk Email: info@thelittlegrandtour.co.uk Tel: 0781 500 7161
