Jan Patience: Kelvingrove gizmo is a game-changer

I’m sure most people who love Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow can remember their first time in this grand old red sandstone building.

I was 10. I had been picked to take part in Kelvingrove’s annual art competition. Together with a few wide-eyed classmates from my wee primary school in Ayrshire, we travelled up to the big city.

I drew a stuffed leopard. I didn’t win anything but I remember my senses being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of objects and paintings on display. And that strange, musty-sweet smell.

I was reminded of this when I attended the launch of My Stories. Created by young people for young people, this interactive learning platform uses digital devices to open up the wonders of Kelvingrove’s 22 free galleries to tech-savvy young people who might not necessarily think art galleries and museums are for them. My Stories has been supported financially by Sir Tom Hunter’s Hunter Foundation. I spoke to Constance McSporran, a sixth year pupil at the school from Bellahouston Academy in Glasgow while I was there. She is just one of many young people, who have been involved in My Stories, a resource, which will be updated as technology moves on.

Constance said: “Now I see it, I know how wonderful it is to be part of something that lets young people express themselves – and will continue to do so.”

This free service can be booked in advance and is aimed at schools, colleges and youth groups. Working in small groups, they start off in a dedicated education space in the ground floor of Kelvingrove. They then roam around, looking at artworks or objects and taking part in interactive games and quizzes. Users can digitally overlay speech bubbles, emojis or graffiti to convey how they feel about an artwork. Anyone with a digital device can take part by scanning QR codes around Kelvingrove to learn more about exhibits via a version called My Stories Lite. This is a game-changer for widening access to museums and galleries.

The McManus Gallery in Dundee has an exhibition for springtime called What’s New: Recent Additions To Dundee’s Fine Art Collection. This includes a major sculpture installation, Plural, by Doug Cocker, a rare studio portrait by John Duncan and work by Joan Eardley, Alberta Whittle and Katie Paterson.

The team at the McManus support artists by exhibiting and buying contemporary work. New acquisitions by Paterson, Whittle and Jonny Lyons help interpret the permanent collection in new ways.