KRASS e.V. brings children to the Kunstpalast in Düsseldorf – afterwards they become creative themselves!
What happens when children don’t just look at art, but are able to truly experience it? When a museum visit does not end with quiet observation, but instead sparks curiosity and unleashes their own ideas? This is exactly where the joint project of KRASS e.V. and the Friends of the Kunstpalast comes in.
Many children have had little to no contact with museums or art institutions. This makes programs that break down barriers and present art as something vibrant, personal, and accessible all the more important. In Düsseldorf, KRASS e.V. and the Kunstpalast provide precisely this kind of access for children.
Art as an experiential space for children
The project focuses on the idea of not just viewing and explaining art, but making it a tangible experience. Paintings, sculptures, and installations have a variety of effects: they tell stories, awaken memories, evoke emotions, and stimulate reflection. This form of engagement is particularly valuable for children – it strengthens their expressiveness, self-confidence, and imagination.
After the museum visit, the children continue to the KRASS children’s studio. There, they have the opportunity to creatively develop the impressions they have gained and create their own artworks. Participation is free of charge for the children, and all materials are provided. They are guided and supported by professional artists who accompany the creative process and create space for individual ideas.
A project with structure – and plenty of room for creativity
The Friends of the Kunstpalast aim to attract new audiences to the museum in the long term. In addition to established offerings such as free admission, cultural vouchers, and the youth club, early exposure to art is crucial. Since 2024, KRASS e.V. has complemented this commitment with an educational project specifically for school classes.
The program follows a clear, three-part concept:
- In schools, KRASS artists prepare children for their museum visit. They introduce the Kunstpalast, provide insights into current exhibitions, and create initial points of contact.
- In the museum, children experience the artworks in their original form. They discover details, ask questions, and develop their own way of relating to the exhibited works – often accompanied by a palpable sense of wonder.
- The impressions from the museum visit are further developed in the KRASS children's studio. Inspired by their museum visit, the children creatively express their thoughts and create their own works of art.
In this way, the art palace is not only visited, but experienced in a lasting way.
Numbers that have an impact
So far, the project has inspired 25 groups of children with around 800 children—many of whom previously had little or no contact with museums—to become enthusiastic about art. This commitment demonstrates how impactful cultural educational work can be when it takes children seriously and gives them space to create on their own.
Schools interested in this offer can contact KRASS e.V. for more information.
Good to know: How did people become famous in the past?
In the past, there were no smartphones or Instagram. If artists wanted to become famous, they had to find someone to buy their art and hang it on their wall – usually kings, nobles, or the church. At the Kunstpalast, you can see works today that once hung in enormous castles. Imagine, these paintings were people's "screen" back then, allowing them to discover the world.
And did you know why people sometimes look quite grim in old pictures?
Have you noticed that people in old portraits hardly ever smile? That's not because they weren't having fun! Back then, it took longer. Doodling A portrait could take many hours or even days. It was far too tiring to smile the whole time. People had to remain perfectly still so the painter could perfectly trace them.
And why are there so many guards in the museum?
You might be wondering why there's a supervisor in every room. They're the bodyguards of the art! Because paints and canvases are often hundreds of years old, they're very delicate. Even a tiny fingerprint can damage the artwork. That's why the rule in the museum is: keep your eyes open, but your fingers away!