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.

That’s a different name? Yep! Acknowledging how extraordinary 2020 has been, we've decided to mix it up a little and title the exhibition, ‘Living Memory: National Photographic Portrait Prize’.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Prepare to be bowled over as we celebrate our Australian summer with a look at some of our cricketing heroes. From the sun-baked to the quirky, both batters and bowlers, you’ll be hit for six.

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.

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.