Here’s what to expect at this event. Everyone is welcome! Please contact [email protected] in advance of the program if you have any access needs or queries about the event. Find out more about Accessibility at QAGOMA and Getting Here & Parking .

Materials

• You don’t need to bring anything; all materials are free and supplied. Materials supplied include A3 paper, drawing boards and graphite pencils. Material stations and pencil sharpening facilities will be located throughout the festival, including the Watermall and Sculpture Courtyard.
• Please ensure you return materials supplied by QAGOMA back to their station.
• Accessible drawing kits featuring adaptive drawing tools, raised line drawing materials and visual prompts are available to borrow for free from the Melbourne Street Information Desk. Limited number available.
• If you would like to bring your own drawing materials, you are welcome to make sketches with graphite pencils and handheld sketchbooks. Please note, as per QAGOMA Conditions of Entry, only graphite pencils can be brought into the Gallery

Participation and content

• The Drawing Festival offers a range of events to explore at your own pace. Stay for an hour or the whole day, drop in for one session or return all weekend - it's entirely up to you.
• You are welcome to come with a friend, in a group or by yourself. Many people attend the Gallery and events solo.
• No experience is required. The Drawing Festival is designed for all skill levels and ages.
• All events are free and don't require booking, except Workshop: Sensing Still Life and Volunteer Guided: In Conversation, which require advance registration.
• Some events during the Drawing Festival are drop-in and self-guided (Drawing From Art, Drawing From Nature) and other events are facilitated (Workshops: Skills Lab and Drop-in: Life Drawing).
• We ask all attendees to be kind, respectful and courteous to all participants, speakers and staff at this event. This program will be monitored by QAGOMA staff to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our attendees, speakers and staff.

Sensory aspects and Accessibility

• A range of different types of seating will be available during the Drawing Festival, including floor seating and chairs (with and without backs).
• You may be filmed and/or photographed by a QAGOMA photographer or videographer during the Drawing Festival. Please let staff know if you do not wish to be photographed or filmed.
• This event is wheelchair and pram accessible.
• Accessible drawing kits featuring adaptive drawing tools, raised line drawing materials and visual prompts are available to borrow for free from the Melbourne Street Information Desk. Limited number available.
• The Piano in the Watermall performances will be performed on an acoustic piano
• Different areas of the Festival will be dimly or brightly lit (you may choose to wear sunglasses).
• The Gallery air conditioning is set to 21°C to conserve the artwork.
• If the event becomes overwhelming or stressful, earmuffs and sensory kits are available. Each kit contains a number of resources for self-regulation and calming. Please speak to a staff member for assistance. These kits can also be requested in advance by emailing [email protected].

Workshops: Skills Lab

• Workshops run on the quarter hour, six times daily. Both artist workshops are repeated 3 times daily, so pick the time that works for you. Sat & Sun sessions feature different content.
• Workshops are limited to 100 participants per session. Seats are first-come, first-served and cannot be saved. Queuing for the workshops open 20 minutes prior to the session.
• The workshops take place in the Lecture Theatre, a 100-seat capacity theatre space with mid-level lighting.
• These workshops will feature amplified sound.Please let us know in advance if you are hard of hearing by emailing [email protected] we can make this workshop accessible for you.
• The sessions at 12.15pm & 1.15pm on Sat 25 & Sun 26 Jul will be Auslan Interpreted.
• A screen and projection will be used during the workshops.
• The seating available in the space are chairs with backs.
• Pre-reserved accessible seating is available, please email [email protected] in advance to request accessible seating.

Information for families

• Please supervise any children under the age of 12 for whom you are responsible.
• Cloak rooms are at the entries to both QAG and GOMA. Please check bags bigger than 40cm x 15cm x 35cm, and umbrellas.
• Prams are welcome, and all areas of QAG and GOMA are accessible by lift or ramp.
• There are two parents’ rooms at QAG, one near the Stanley Place entrance and one near the Pelican Lounge, both on the Watermall level.
• Breastfeeding and infant bottle-feeding are welcome anywhere in the Gallery, or you can use the parents’ rooms at either QAG or GOMA. The parents’ rooms can be used to mix infant formula. Food and drink for older children and adults are not allowed in the Gallery, and we ask you to please keep water bottles in a bag.