Featuring striking photographic portraits of contemporary figures from the National Portrait Gallery collection, The Look is an aesthetic treat with a lashing of je ne sais quoi.

Seventeen of Australia’s thirty prime ministers to date are represented in the contrasting sizes, moods and mediums of these portraits.

This exhibition showcases sixty years of the Vogue Australia archive together with a special tribute to some remarkable Australian women who have featured in the pages of Vogue, and includes iconic portraits of Kylie Minogue and Elle Macpherson, among others.

Eye to Eye is a summer Portrait Gallery Collection remix arranged by degree of eye contact – from turned away with eyes closed all the way through to right-back-at-you – as we explore artists’ and subjects’ choices around the direction of the gaze.

The Darling Prize is a new annual prize for Australian portrait painters, painting Australian sitters. The winner receives a cash prize of $75,000.

The exhibition is selected from a national field of entries, reflecting the distinctive vision of Australia's aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects.

Experience the very best new portrait paintings and photographs from across Australia.

Using ochres collected on her country in Western Australia’s East Kimberley, Shirley Purdie’s self-portrait is a kaleidoscope of traditional Gija stories and Ngarranggarni (Dreaming) passed down to her.

Celebrate the people, places and sounds of Australian pub rock and its enduring impact on our nation’s identity.

The collection display includes a wide selection of portraits that tell extraordinary stories of encounter, exploration, independence, individuality and achievement in Australia.

Revealing the backstories behind the NPG collection, Before hand features interviews with artists and sitters as well as working drawings, scrapbooks, sketches and footage taken in artists’ studios and out on location.

Reconnect and reflect with our new major exhibition, Australian Love Stories (in real life!) as we explore love, affection and connection in all its guises.

Join us virtually on a live highlights tour, from the comfort of your own home. Ask questions, see the collection, and hear some of the stories behind the portraits.

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. Over winter, we will visit the National Museum of Australia and look at Minyma Punu Kungkarangkalpa (Seven Sisters Tree Women), by the Tjampi Desert Weavers. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. Over winter, we will visit the National Museum of Australia and look at Minyma Punu Kungkarangkalpa (Seven Sisters Tree Women), by the Tjampi Desert Weavers. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

Meet for slow looking and sketching at selected public art portraits, facilitated by members of the National Portrait Gallery Access and Learning team.

The National Portrait Gallery is delighted to collaborate with Manning Clark House to present an afternoon at the home of Manning and Dymphna Clark.

NAIDOC week celebrations, 2019 - Celebrating and responding to lived experiences of our First Peoples through portraiture.

Join us virtually on a live highlights tour, from the comfort of your own home. Ask questions, see the collection, and hear some of the stories behind the portraits.

New Director Karen Quinlan will expand upon her vision for the Gallery and talk about the institution’s next decade, its third.

NAIDOC week celebrations, 2019 - Celebrating and responding to lived experiences of our First Peoples through portraiture.

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. Over winter, we will visit the National Museum of Australia and look at Minyma Punu Kungkarangkalpa (Seven Sisters Tree Women), by the Tjampi Desert Weavers. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. Over winter, we will visit the National Museum of Australia and look at Minyma Punu Kungkarangkalpa (Seven Sisters Tree Women), by the Tjampi Desert Weavers. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

Rug up and join us for a pop-up story time at Old Parliament House. Listen to the story My Tree and Me by Jo Witek and create your own visual response.

Meet for slow looking and sketching at selected public art portraits, facilitated by members of the National Portrait Gallery Access and Learning team.

Join us virtually on a live highlights tour, from the comfort of your own home. Ask questions, see the collection, and hear some of the stories behind the portraits.

Join us on a fabulous day trip to the Art Gallery of NSW, where everything is taken care of for you. View the Archibald, Wynn & Sulman prizes and take the tour

Join us virtually on a live highlights tour, from the comfort of your own home. Ask questions, see the collection, and hear some of the stories behind the portraits.

Meet for slow looking and sketching at selected public art portraits, facilitated by members of the National Portrait Gallery Access and Learning team.

Join us virtually on a live highlights tour, from the comfort of your own home. Ask questions, see the collection, and hear some of the stories behind the portraits.

Come and join us for a weekend of celebratory activity as we throw open our doors after some cosmetic surgery!

Marking International Day of Peace, Tobias Cole leads a celebration of singing, featuring children and young adults from Turner Trebles, Canberra Children’s Choir, Lyneham High Voices, Vocal Fry and ANU Chamber Choir.

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

Fun, free activities for families, inspired by fashion from the NPG collection.

Become a Portrait Detective and join us to explore the portraits through drawing and creative activity in the galleries.

Have you joined the Circle of Friends in the past months? You are invited to meet the Membership Coordinator and join an introductory tour of the Gallery.

Join us for an evening of cabaret with the extraordinary Paul Capsis at this 18+ event. Check out The Look afterhours, as well as the general collection, while music drifts through the galleries, then grab a beverage and enjoy the show.

Hannah Quinlivan's latest artwork fresh from Sydney Contemporary.

Featuring the glorious sounds of the Clarion vocal ensemble, directed by Tobias Cole.

Become a Portrait Detective and join us to explore the portraits through drawing and creative activity in the galleries.

Join us virtually on a live highlights tour, from the comfort of your own home. Ask questions, see the collection, and hear some of the stories behind the portraits.

As a special welcome back to the Gallery for our members, we invite you to join us for an introduction from Karen Quinlan, exclusive viewing and a celebratory drink.

Listen to the story Picasso’s Trousers by Nicholas Allan and design and create your own visual response.

Celebrating fashion as important expressive medium, the Australian Dance Party challenge the conveyor belt industry driven by economics, advertising and disposability, to contemplate a different kind of ‘vogue’

We are keeping our doors open late for a sassy spring soirée. Featuring Aphir, Peach Lane and The Australian Dance Party.

Exhibition ticket requried.

Celebrating fashion as important expressive medium, the Australian Dance Party challenge the conveyor belt industry driven by economics, advertising and disposability, to contemplate a different kind of ‘vogue’

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

We are keeping our doors open late for a sassy spring soirée. Featuring Mia Sorlie and Dana spinning the decks.

Poets in residence, featuring readings commissioned for the festival, followed by a broad-ranging discussion touching on poetic journeys, influences, inspirations and ideas.

A recital of joyous and uplifting music from Canberra-based musicians aged 10 to 17.

Poets in residence, featuring readings commissioned for the festival, followed by a broad-ranging discussion touching on poetic journeys, influences, inspirations and ideas.

We are keeping our doors open late for a sassy spring soirée. Featuring Hope Wilkins, Adriana+Bianca and Kim Yang.

Four LGBTIQ+ choirs from across Australasia will perform throughout the afternoon in the beautiful acoustics of the Gordon Darling Hall.

The fabulous Charlotte Smith, owner of The Darnell Collection and author of One Enchanted Evening, Dreaming of Dior and Dreaming of Chanel, shares her love of vintage fashion.

Led by Oboist Diana Doherty, this concert showcases the finest new wind music Australia has to offer, culminating in a collaborative performance for oboe and the sound of waterfalls played through your smartphone.

We are keeping our doors open late for a sassy spring soirée. Featuring Neko Pink, LIV LI and Shoeb Ahmad.

Get all sock ‘n’ soul at our free Spring Festival. Balinese puppeteers, The Super Funky Artists, will lead a creative workshop using recycled materials. There will be performance, music, tours and lots of fun activities throughout the day to inspire imagination.

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

Explore Commonwealth Park on a guided walking tour and discover the history and special importance of works of art located in the gardens.

Featuring the glorious sounds of the Clarion vocal ensemble, directed by Tobias Cole.

The Undercurrent Design Market is on again! This popular weekend showcases an array of contemporary, leading edge Australian-made design treats and just in time for Christmas.

The Undercurrent Design Market is on again! This popular weekend showcases an array of contemporary, leading edge Australian-made design treats and just in time for Christmas.

The Beginner Practicum focuses on developing VTS facilitation skills through presentation of the basic theoretical tenets of VTS and opportunities to practice with group coaching.

Spring in for conversation, drinks and canapés with Director Karen Quinlan and guest speaker, avid gardener and visionary artist, Bill Henson.

The National Portrait Gallery is proud to host part of Meeting Place 2019, Australia's leading forum on arts, culture and disability.

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

The National Portrait Gallery is proud to host part of Meeting Place 2019, Australia's leading forum on arts, culture and disability.

Have you joined the Circle of Friends in the past months? You are invited to meet the Membership Coordinator and join an introductory tour of the Gallery.

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

Put yourself in the picture with an Instagram filter created for @PortraitAu by artist Jess Herrington.

Take a 45 minute guided tour of the exhibition.

Let your spirits soar with Christmas carols by chamber choir Igitur Nos.

Featuring the glorious sounds of the Clarion vocal ensemble, directed by Tobias Cole.

Featuring the glorious sounds of the Clarion vocal ensemble, directed by Tobias Cole.

I Progetti Chamber Choir’s trademark Christmas selection of tunes beautiful yet little-known, interspersed with more familiar seasonal works.

Free activities inspired by the exhibition Eye to Eye for families to enjoy together.

Draw while listening to music. All materials provided; for all ages and abilities.

Become a PI - Portrait Investigator - and join us to explore the portraits through drawing and creative activity in the galleries.

Become a PI - Portrait Investigator - and join us to explore the portraits through drawing and creative activity in the galleries.

Become a PI - Portrait Investigator - and join us to explore the portraits through drawing and creative activity in the galleries.

Listen to the story Thelma The Unicorn by Aaron Blabey and create your own visual response

本馆邀约 刘沁洁 (Chin-Jie Melodie Liu) 以中文为您导览，介绍本馆历史背景，还带您观赏馆内精心挑选过的肖像画作品。

Become a PI - Portrait Investigator - and join us to explore the portraits through drawing and creative activity in the galleries.

Responding to the curatorial design of Eye to Eye, which encourages viewers to slow down and spend time looking, our learning facilitators are offering a slow looking and drawing programs in the exhibition.

Explore the main collection during our ‘quiet hours’ sessions, suitable for anyone who prefers a quieter visitor experience.

Become a PI - Portrait Investigator - and join us to explore the portraits through drawing and creative activity in the galleries.

Become a PI - Portrait Investigator - and join us to explore the portraits through drawing and creative activity in the galleries.

Experiment with colour combinations, breaking up colour and making it do different things in this workshop inspired by colourful portraits in the Gallery. Suitable for children aged 8 to 12 years.

Listen to the story Thelma The Unicorn by Aaron Blabey and create your own visual response

Join leading Australian artist Wendy Sharpe, as she discusses her interest in painting people, with particular reference to her bold, evocative portrait of Elena Kats-Chernin.

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

Have you joined the Circle of Friends in the past months? You are invited to meet the Membership Coordinator and join an introductory tour of the Gallery.

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

Have a long slow look at the new Eye to Eye exhibition, and join us for an exciting interactive discussion, quiz and Q&A with the curator and creative team.

Little children and their parent/carer are invited to join a Learning Facilitator for playful activities. There will be singing, movement and drawing.

Feature documentary exploring themes of race, identity and belonging through the remarkable and inspirational story of AFL legend Adam Goodes.

Responding to the curatorial design of Eye to Eye, which encourages viewers to slow down and spend time looking, our learning facilitators are offering a slow looking and drawing programs in the exhibition.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, our musical talent isn’t able to perform for this Sunday’s Drawn In program.

本馆邀约 刘沁洁 (Chin-Jie Melodie Liu) 以中文为您导览，介绍本馆历史背景，还带您观赏馆内精心挑选过的肖像画作品。

Explore virtual identities by making a simple augmented reality experience in this Digital Creator workshop led by artist Jess Herrington.

Have you joined the Circle of Friends in the past months? Meet our Membership Coordinator and join an introductory tour of the Gallery.

The performance explores music as a powerful, healing response to pain. Directed by Kirsten Williams, the CSO Chamber Orchestra will premiere two work by rising Australian composers.

Join for us a discussion about this year’s NPPP 2020 exhibition and exploring powerful storytelling in photographic portraiture.

Come on a live video tour of the National Portrait Gallery’s exciting new exhibition of the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2020.

Join Australian writer Bri Lee (author of the powerful Eggshell Skull) in discussion with author and journalist Caroline Baum about Lee’s new book, Beauty.

An educational and fun 14-day adults’ introduction to portraiture.

All visitors must pre-book for one of the daily sessions. Each day will have a limited number of people allowed.

Brenda L Croft (Gurindji/Malngin/Mudburra peoples) talks with Ngambri/Ngunnawal/Wiradjuri elder, Dr Matilda House, about her photographic portrait.

Massage your grey matter with a peek inside the mind and brain as we look at portraits about consciousness, neurotechnology and dementia.

Stand tall and be intrigued and inspired by the achievements of some remarkable women from the collection who exude strength, ambition and creativity.

Darling Prize finalist Liam Nunan and actor Guy Simon discuss the portrait, their friendship and the intensity of the acting life.

Join us for stories of humour, love, sadness and hope as we explore portraits of our history, identity and the complexities of what it means to be Australian.

Take a breath and enter a quieter state as we explore portraits where the sitter appears to drift off, lower their guard and give more away.

Join us for a live and interactive video tour through the Shirley Purdie exhibition, Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe.

Lust and longing, drama and devotion, seduction and scandal! Delve into an enticing array of tales of the heart.

Grab your paddles and join us on an adventure as we look at three artworks that inspired and recorded the roots of Australia’s environmental movement.

Join Darling Portrait Prize winner Anthea da Silva as she shares her passion for life drawing and portraiture and experiments with a range of drawing and painting styles.

Get all Sherlock Holmes and discover how artists accidentally (or on purpose) reveal their own character and world when they’re creating a portrait.

There’s nothing quite like Storytime! Snuggle up with your favourite small person and join us for a live-streamed reading of Shaun Tan’s ‘The Lost Thing.’

It’s like Oxford St online! Join us for an exploration of gender, performance and queerness as we take a look at three provocative, and sometimes transgressive, Australian icons.

Be the first to view our new exhibition. Join members of our team for a special tour and see the people, places and sounds that defined Australian pub rock in the 70s and 80s.

Learning Facilitator Carolyn Eccles will take us on a gentle wander through the National Portrait Gallery's collection, as we re-examine the meanings of the word 'home' and how we define ourselves in the places and contexts that we find it in.

Music and art share many attributes – line, rhythm, dynamics, mood and storytelling, to name a few. This tour will explore some portraits that link these two art forms.

Be the first to view our new exhibition. Join members of our team for a special tour and see the people, places and sounds that defined Australian pub rock in the 70s and 80s.

Be the first to view our new exhibition. Join members of our team for a special tour and see the people, places and sounds that defined Australian pub rock in the 70s and 80s.

Learning Facilitator Carolyn Eccles will take us on a gentle wander through the National Portrait Gallery's collection, as we re-examine the meanings of the word 'home' and how we define ourselves in the places and contexts that we find it in.

Crowd surf to get up front with curator Jo “Frock on” Gilmour and exhibition manager Sheridan “The Flame” Burnett as they take you backstage on Australia’s Pub Rock scene.

Dancers Tammi Gissell, Natasha Lee Rogers and Emma Laverty join to present a performance of unity and celebration of culture on Ngunnawal land. Accompanied by violinist Michael Liu.

Layne Beachley, Jim Conway and Gurrumul Yunupingu’s portraits evoke both the visible and the invisible. Through the portraits and life experience of both subjects and artists in the collection, this tour will consider what is ‘invisible disability’.

The aspect of someone's character that is perceived by others is made richer when we consider that it also refers to a role or character inhabited by an actor. We look at three performing artists' portraits in three contrasting media.

Your backstage pass to sensational stories about Canberra’s Pub Rock scene with Chris Shakallis (Young Docteurs), Julia Ford (The Framed) and Fiona Edge (keeper of the ‘Pling archive)

Pack your snacks and get prepped for a highlights tour as we explore the idea of adventure! Along the way we’ll meet some amazing faces and journey to different times and places.

There’s nothing quite like Storytime! Snuggle up with your favourite small person and join us for a live-streamed reading of Shaun Tan’s ‘The Lost Thing.’

Explore the different ways people connect to the land and to each other.

Join us online for a bilingual reading of My Story, Ngaginybe Jarragbe by Shirley Purdie.

Join us for a bout of FREE pub trivia – all online and live-streamed of course! There’ll be an hour of music mayhem and prizes to be won.

It’s like an after party, but waaay after. Join Greg Appel (Lighthouse Keepers), Robina Gugler (co-writer of Head Full of Flames) and Fiona Edge (Keeper of the ‘Pling archive).

A veritable treasure trove of extraordinary artists and their creative spaces.

Assume ballet position one and join photographer Peter Brew Bevan – in conversation with Before hand exhibition curator, Penny Grist – as he provides insight into the private life of his portrait of dancer David McAllister.

Celebrate the urban environment and our interaction with it.

Grab your press pass and hold it tight as we dive camera-first into the mosh pit! Photographers Wendy McDougall and Stuart Spence have captured the likes of INXS, Cold Chisel, Paul Kelly, Tim Freedman and many more.

Remembering many of the exciting moments and extraordinary athletes of the Sydney Olympics.

The internet and digital apps have opened up the world of courtship. But has digital dating made it easier to find our own Australian Love Story?

It takes all sorts to create a national portrait collection – good, bad and ugly; meek and powerful; famous and utterly obscure.

In their own words is an audio-guide with a difference. We let the portraits of these remarkable Australians speak for themselves.

Help us celebrate diversity and the LGBTIQ+ community with a virtual tour and meet some exceptional queer icons.

In this hybrid tour and making experience we will take you on a behind-the-scenes journey through the portraits and the exhibition.

Celebrate our First Nations Identity for NAIDOC with the National Portrait Gallery collection from the comfort of your own home.

Join us for a conversation with NPPP 2020 finalist Sanjeev Singh and his subject Peter McEwan as we discuss the shameful history and ultimate triumph behind this striking portrait.

Delve into the lives, loves and labour of the world’s most prominent portrait galleries in this new international conversation series.

We will explore faces inspired by portraits from the collection using movement and music.

Celebrate the past as we chat all things love, intimacy and sex with Nick Henderson from the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives.

Artist Cherry Hood shows us her unique way of making large-scale watercolour portraits.

Working from a photograph of your choice, Cherry Hood will share her tips to help you hone your watercolour skills.

Join us for a virtual highlights tour that investigates the sometimes problematic portrayal of scientists in portraiture.

Join Sandra Bruce, Director Collection & Exhibitions at the National Portrait Gallery, as she explores the progressive and successful relationship of artists and couple Margel and Frank Hinder.

A selection of works composed during times of pandemics, epidemics, and highly contagious diseases that celebrate the beauty that can be created in, and despite, the darkest of times.

Ahead of International Day of People with Disability, join us as we reflect on how people with disability have been represented in portraiture, how this has changed over time and what comes next.

Celebrate our four-legged family folk and join us for a furry tour of portraits with animals.

Join curator Penny Grist in conversation with Karen Vickery, Director Access and Learning and Louise Maher, journalist and researcher as they discuss the project and share some fascinating stories from the App.

Ever wondered how an artist’s choice of materials and technique can reveal their unique perspective?

We will explore faces inspired by portraits from the collection using movement and music.

In these uncertain times, with physical gatherings restricted, we can all still recall major events such as the bogong moth migration, and remain connected to each other through nature.

We will explore faces inspired by portraits from the collection using movement and music.

Take a 30 minute tour of the Portrait Gallery exploring the collection and the building.

Take a 30 minute tour of the exhibition.

A Christmas themed concert featuring the glorious sounds of the Clarion vocal ensemble, directed by Tobias Cole.

Progetti Chamber Choir invites you to share in this programme of Christmas music, and in the invocation of the dawning of a new day, where light and hope are reborn.

A Christmas themed concert featuring the glorious sounds of the Clarion vocal ensemble, directed by Tobias Cole.

A space for families to mimic, reflect and explore. For all ages and abilities.

Listen to the story Magic Beach by Alison Lester and create your own visual response.

Explore the main collection during our ‘quiet hours’ sessions, suitable for anyone who prefers a quieter visitor experience.

QL2 Director Ruth Osborne, working in close collaboration with seven recent tertiary dance graduates, brings you a performance that will move through the three themes to explore creative spaces, connection to landscape and their collective story.

Join us on online for a reading of Alison Lester’s Magic Beach followed by a chance to create your own visual response with items at home.

Delve into the lives, loves and labour of the world’s most prominent portrait galleries in this international conversation series.

Join us as we chat with specialists (and no doubt patient humans) from Endangered Heritage to hear about the curious processes involved in restoring and conserving art objects.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that summer was all about cricket, so prepare to be bowled over as we celebrate our warmest season with a look at a variety of portraits from the most sun-baked to the cool and quirky.

Think you know your Aussie pub rock? Then join us in the Gallery for a night of music mayhem!

Ben Quilty talks about portraiture as ‘a recording of a moment that reflects the sharing of a story.’

Photo-media artist Anne Zahalka has been exhibiting since the early 80s. Join us (and Anne!) as we look at a few of her works in the collection and chat about her principles and practice.

Join Penny Grist, Curator Exhibitions in conversation with Evert Ploeg and eX de Medici, two of Australia’s best-loved artist.

Following on from our popular tour reflecting on how people with a disability have been represented in portraiture, join us as we look at works from the collection and contemplate inclusivity with a focus on the artists.

Can you believe there are over 100 portraits by photographer Greg Weight in the collection?! Join us as we talk all things portraiture with the prolific photographer himself.

Celebrate Norman Lindsay’s birthday with us as we explore the life and world behind the creator of this Australian children’s classic.

Join us in the Gallery for an intimate drawing workshop with British-Australian artist Nicholas Harding.

Join us from wherever you are for an intimate, online drawing workshop with British-Australian artist Nicholas Harding.

Discover some of the artists, architects, and activists who have travelled far and wide and yet call Canberra home.

Join us on the red carpet to meet some of Australia’s fashion stars, known not just for striking poses, but also for their striking stories. 

Join us as we navigate through portraits of those who’ve explored, adventured and endured the challenges of traversing on and off our planet.