RESEARCH SHOWS 50% OF PARENTS BELIEVE ART GALLERIES AREN’T FAMILY FRIENDLY. AT CLARENDON, WE BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE, AND WE’RE LEADING THE WAY.
“We’ve always believed art should feel accessible, welcoming and meaningful for everyone. Galleries should be inclusive community spaces where children feel inspired, not intimidated, and where parents feel confident bringing them.”
Helen Swaby, CEO, Clarendon Fine Art
The Subtle Art of Family builds on that long-standing belief. This nationwide initiative explores how families connect with art, each other and the spaces they share. Supported by new UK research and brought to life through interviews, candid conversations and personal video diaries. it highlights the transformative power of making art truly accessible, and reinforces something we’ve always championed: art galleries are for everyone.
Presented by Lauren Laverne, this engaging short film blends storytelling with thoughtful social experiment as it follows three families discovering art the Clarendon way. The film captures honest reactions, shifting tastes and the surprising ways in which art can bring people together; watch the stories unfold as our families share their responses to everything from their first gallery visit to living with their chosen pieces at home.
Our research revealed that many parents still feel unsure about bringing children into galleries, often expecting silence, formality or a sense of not quite belonging. At Clarendon, we’ve always championed a different experience: welcoming, vibrant and designed to be enjoyed together. The Subtle Art of Family shows how important the initial gallery experience can be as a catalyst for transformation. When our three participating households lived with art they’d chosen together, the impact went far beyond decoration, building confidence, encouraging interaction and reinforcing family bonds. Explore the insights and discover what happened next.
“When families choose art together, they build confidence, emotional literacy and shared identity — an everyday practice that supports belonging as surely as any mindfulness app or gratitude journal,”
Sara Hill, Chief Creative Officer, Clarendon Fine Art