MIMA

Over the past week, the adults of Middlesbrough have been enjoying a week of launch parties at the new MIMA art gallery, and now it's the turn of the town's children.

On Wednesday 31st January, a group of year 2 pupils from Hemlington Hall Primary became the first school group to visit the gallery, and experience works by Damien Hirst and Francis Bacon, as part of the the 'Draw' exhibition.

The view from the second floor

Their teacher Nicola Thompson said, "When I opened the door today they shouted 'It's MIMA!' and sat on the carpet waiting for the coach, so it's an exciting day for them.

Lucy Johnson one of MIMA's education officers explained why pupils from Hemlington Hall School were chosen for the first tour. 

She said, "We've had some close connections with them over the last few years and we thought it would be nice to reward them with this.

"We're going to try to get them into every space. Their visit is just as much about seeing the building as the exhibition, and if they're familiar with the building, every time they come, it adds to it and changes their perspective."

To find out what they thought of the building, the art and a day out from school, click on the links in the 'see also' section.