Play & Imagine
We believe that play and imagination are central to all our lives. Everyone, young and old, can play and imagine and should have access to play.
The Play & Imagine programme is one of our main strands of work exploring the question ‘how can play and imagination transform everyday life?’
We commission artists to explore this question through exhibitions, installations, intergenerational projects and creative workshops, participatory events, community partnerships, and artist residencies at Orleans House Gallery.
The Play & Imagine programme is driven by our desire to support the wellbeing of our local communities, families and children in a world that is increasingly hostile for many. We support artists and communities to take part in and create playful and imaginative moments which explore the impact of play and imagination on our lives.
By incorporating play and imagination into our work as Richmond Arts Service, and a contemporary art gallery, we hope to help support the mental wellbeing of our communities, children and families through culture.
We hope that through working creatively in collaboration with communities and artists we will ensure that the importance and benefits of play and imagination across generations are recognised and valued.
Play & Imagine is about:
- Space
- Trust
- Risk and experimentation
- Freedom and time
- Wellbeing and health
- Creativity and curiosity
- Community and connectedness
- Learning and flexibility
- Friendships and relationships
Our Early Years and Let’s Get Creative programmes support this project, as well as the exhibitions and programmes below.
“Play is an essential part of every child’s life and is vital for the enjoyment of childhood as well as social, emotional, intellectual and physical development. In the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), play is identified as a basic human right: The right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities.”
Play England
Play & Imagine projects, programmes and exhibitions
All The Things
All The Things was an inter-generational exhibition by artists Abigail Hunt, Lucy McDonald and Matt Shaw. It ran until Friday 31 August 2026.
Play Works
Play Works ran from 18 November 2023–23 June 2024. The exhibition explored the endless possibilities of play and children are encouraged to let their imaginations take flight.
Mirror Shape Play
Mirror Shape Play ran from 24 June–11 September 2022. The exhibition encouraged visitors to look, touch, build and play.
The Play & Imagine Research Project
We are currently working with Royal Holloway, University of London to develop a manifesto. Watch this space for more information soon. This is inspired by the All The Things exhibition.
National Play Day
National Play Day falls on the first Wednesday of August annually, we celebrate at the gallery with an playful programme of events and activities.
