Well have a go a this game – decide who made the better painting – Turner or the Master. Look at the paintings, then click VOTE to choose.

If you ask a parent or carer to play with you, they will have a chance to win a Turner book, bag and poster at the end.

Enjoy!

SJ
Tate Kids Editor

Guess what?

Tate Kids has been nominated for two Children’s BAFTAs this year. One in the animation category for the Art Sparks films and one the whole website for Learning – Primary.

We can’t believe it, we’re all so happy. We find out if we win at the end of November and hopefully we’ll get to go to the show and meet Dick and Dom who are hosting. If you have a message for them, let me know!

Also, there is a BAFTA kids website where you can vote for your favourite film, website, game and tv show. It’s definitely worth a look.

Please wish us luck!

SJ
Tate Kids Editor

If you want to send anyone a free card for Halloween you can do so from Tate Kids.

See our e-cards to get started.

Thanks!
SJ

Do you know what you’re doing this half term yet?

Well,  if you’re in or near Liverpool this half term, bring your old toys over to Tate Liverpool. You’ll be able to transform them into drawing machines or create massive drawings in our Studio. Ask your parents to visit our Families website for dates and times. Hopefully see you there!

SJ
Tate Kids Editor

It’s been up for a little while now, but we’ve got a brand new game – Discovering Turner.  It’s been made in relation to the Turner and the Masters exhibition at Tate Britain, so if you enjoy the game, and can get to Tate Britain easily, come along.  It’s open until 31st January, and you can get in free if you’re under 12.  Sweet!

Let me know what you think.

SJ
Tate Kids Editor

I’m very pleased to show you the three winners from the Tate Kids/Sketch Star competition. I’m incredibly impressed by how many people entered (I counted 2,125!) and the skill shown. You are all brilliant and talented people! We’re hoping to run another contest with Sketch Star in the future so keep your eyes peeled!

Anyway, I talk too much – here are the winners!

1st place
Little Dancer Class Visit – boiledsprout

2nd place
The Lifeless Ballerina – Yazi_mew

3rd place
Degas Tiny Dancer – animationpappy

Charlotte Edmonds, the ballet student from The Royal Ballet School, who wonderfully brought The Little Dancer to life in our Secret Dancer game, has written a few words and provided a few pics for us to show you a bit of what went into the game. Enjoy…

Many thanks!
SJ

My Experience at the Tate Modern

I was so excited and privileged to be part of the Tate Modern’s creation of an online game which has The Little Dancer bronze statue, by Edgar Degas, as the main character. In the game the Little Dancer comes alive, running and hiding in the Tate Modern in London until the clues are solved and she performs a dance. Visiting such a great Art gallery as the Tate Modern was incredible.

Learning the choreography under the direction of Miss Diane van Schoor, Ballet Principal at the Royal Ballet Lower School was amazing. I practiced mirroring the statue’s pose and followed the film crew’s directions to perfect my movements in slow motion, backwards and in reverse.

I was covered in bronze coloured body paint and my hair was sprayed black, it was so much fun. I looked and felt like the statue. The costume was gorgeous, a beautifully shaped bodice from which a soft skirt hung in pleats. Everyone was so friendly and helpful and I had the most amazing experience filming at the Tate Modern.

UPDATE – I received this wonderful piece of writing from Wanling at the Singapore American School, Singapore. Thanks Wanling (and Ms Mac)! I’m so glad you liked the game!

The Secret Dancer game is now live! Click the image below to get started.

Let me know what you think – especially if you think it’s scary!!

As always, I hope you like it.

Best wishes

SJ
Tate Kids Editor

• The model, Marie van Goethem was a ballet student at the Paris Opera

• The statue is just ¼ smaller than the real Marie was

• The original was made from wax, like candles

• Her clothes re made from real fabric, and she has a real ribbon in her hair

• When people first saw the statue in 1881 they were shocked about how real (and ugly) she looked. How mean is that?

• When Degas died in the 1920s, his wife and daughter decided to make 74 more Little Dancers, but in bronze this time

• You can see her at Tate Liverpool for a short while – call before you go though, as she might have escaped.

Hope that helps!

SJ
Tate Kids Editor

Firstly! If you’re here from Miniclip’s Sketch Star, welcome!
If you’re a Tate Kids regular – welcome back.

I have some very exiting news:

Tate Kids and Miniclip are joining forces this September to bring you a simply awesome contest – and a chance to win one of three Nintendo DSis (kindly provided by our friends at BT – thanks BT!). All you have to do is bring art to life. Simple.

“Bring art to life….are you sure” (I hear you say)?

Yep, let me explain.

Tate Kids is launching a new game later this month about Degas’ Little Dancer Aged Fourteen. If you want to know more about her see the post below.

UPDATE: THE GAME IS NOW LIVE , THE GAME IS NOW LIVE:

In the game, our little dancer wakes up and you have to help find her, as she runs around Tate Modern at night. Take a look:

So, to celebrate, we want you to use Sketch Star, Miniclip’s animation tool to also bring our Dancer to life.

If you were her – what would you do once you had broken free from your case?

You’ve got until September 24^th to enter the contest. Miniclip will choose the very lucky winners and we’ll both let you all know who’s won in October.

Sorry all – the competition has now ended. Well done and good luck to everyone who entered. As as I know who’s won, I’ll post it here!

Best of luck - I’m really looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

SJ
Tate Kids Editor