Case studies

Children’s cartooning workshops

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One of the child-friendly exhibition panels used in the Behind The Lines exhibition.

Photo: OPH Collection

Showcasing the best political cartoons of the year and celebrating Australia’s robust tradition of political cartooning, the popular exhibition Behind The Lines is a perfect fit with the museum’s mission to engage the public with the past, present and future of Australia’s democracy.

The exhibition was enhanced this year to broaden its appeal for children and promote the museum as a family-friendly venue. The enhancements included exhibition labels written specifically for children, a scavenger hunt activity, a ‘cartoonist’s corner’ and a political cartooning workshop tailored for school-aged visitors.

The workshop, held in January 2012, gave children an opportunity to deepen their engagement with the democratic tradition of political cartooning. Participants had a guided exhibition experience and an opportunity to draw their own cartoons, guided by Andrew Hore, a professional cartoonist based in Canberra.

Museum staff conducted research to assess the effectiveness of the learning in this program. They analysed responses from evaluation forms completed by the children, their carers, the presenter and facilitating staff; and images taken during the workshop. Focus groups to assess learning and retention were held four weeks after the workshop.

Staff were extremely pleased by the results, which demonstrated that the program had met its learning objectives. Carers valued the hands-on activities and the opportunity for their children to learn about politics in a fun way. The children’s comments included:

‘I was inspired!’ … ‘Proud!’ … ‘I felt like I’d learnt something!’ …

And most encouraging of all—

‘I can’t wait for the next holiday activity at the museum!’

Children share ideas at the Behind The Lines cartooning workshop.

Children share ideas at the Behind The Lines cartooning workshop.

Photo: OPH Collection

Some of the cartoons created by children at the workshop.

Some of the cartoons created by children at the workshop.

Photo: OPH Collection

Avid budding cartoonists are led through the art of drawing cartoons by Andrew Hore.

Avid budding cartoonists are led through the art of drawing cartoons by Andrew Hore.

Photos: Stefan Postles

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