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

Portraiture. Not as you know it. We invite you to stretch, push, resist and transcend portraiture’s conventional constraints.

Join us in the Gallery for a free 30-minute tour of Portrait23: Identity, as we stretch, push and transcend portraiture’s conventional constraints.

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

Pop on your smock and sturdy shoes and join us for a peek into where artists work. Whether inside, outside or out and about, we’ll look at the places they wield their tools and create.

Join us in the Gallery as we explore Portrait23: Identity with audio descriptions for visitors who are blind or have low vision.

Little Darlings is for primary and secondary students, with four separate categories across Kindergarten to Year 12. Responding to the theme ‘identity’, students painted, drew, photographed, printed or combined all of these to make their portrait.

Travel via lake cruise on the stunning Lake Burley Griffin to Canberra's premiere cultural destinations: The National Portrait Gallery and The National Museum of Australia.

Pull up a virtual chair and join us as we look at four dazzling daughters from our permanent collection!

This autumn, join a Learning Facilitator to look at the portrait “Me” by Ken Done to explore ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­colour, patterns and faces through movement, singing and crafty play.

This autumn, join a Learning Facilitator to look at the portrait “Me” by Ken Done to explore ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­colour, patterns and faces through movement, singing and crafty play.

Are you a super sewer / embroider extraordinaire / confident crafter? Then why not join us in the Gallery for a sewing circle with artist Deborah Kelly!

Are you a super sewer / embroider extraordinaire / confident crafter? Then why not join us in the Gallery for a sewing circle with artist Deborah Kelly!

Join us in the Gallery as we explore Portrait23: Identity with audio descriptions for visitors who are blind or have low vision.

Put down the drop sheet and join us from your living room, as we dive deep into the minds behind loud colours, bold patterns and bright interiors.

We're back on again in April for the next of our Spotlight Series! This time Karena – our Exhibitions Manager – will be taking a look at Dr Joseph Brown with Two Typists by Noel McKenna.

Our popular art cart is back for the school holidays! Ponder your place in the world and reflect on your own identity by making your own ‘me tree’.

Draw while listening to Bella Groove as they play an assortment of originals alongside familiar jazz and blues tunes.

Explore portraits through drawing and creative activity in the galleries.

What’s all the fuss about? Grab a cuppa and join us as we look at three sitters in our collection who have, unwittingly or deliberately, created storms in teacups.

Rush in, slow down and take a looong look at a few portraits, then meet to share your thoughts and observations.

Join acclaimed Yarrenyty Arltere Artists who live and work in Mparntwe/Alice Springs in a creative walk-up sewing workshop.

Explore portraits through drawing and creative activity in the galleries.

Awaken a sense of place and belonging and explore the National Portrait Gallery building and discover the award-winning design elements and cultural significance.

Grab your rucksack and join our Collection Administrator, Renee Joyce to explore the role of place in providing portraiture’s context and narrative.

Join Maxine Beneba Clarke as she reads her book Fashionista, leads us in craft activities and finishes in a flurry with a fashion parade finale!

Calling all fashionistas, fashion-resisters, fun lovers, fun makers and cool creators! Join Maxine Beneba Clarke as she reads her book Fashionista, leads us in craft activities and finishes in a flurry with a fashion face-off finale!

Explore our special exhibition Portrait23: Identity and the main collection before our usual opening hours. We’ll have low sensory spaces, quiet areas and a creative activity for families to enjoy together.

This autumn, join a Learning Facilitator to look at the portrait “Me” by Ken Done to explore ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­colour, patterns and faces through movement, singing and crafty play.

This year’s lecture will be delivered by Stephen Page AO, former Artistic Director of Bangarra Dance Theatre and descendent of the Ngugi/Nunukul people of the Quandamooka Nation and the Munaldjali clan of the Yugambeh Nation from South East Queensland.

This autumn, join a Learning Facilitator to look at the portrait “Me” by Ken Done to explore ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­colour, patterns and faces through movement, singing and crafty play.

Join a Portrait23: Identity conversation during May! This week artists Mark Smith and Ross Coulter discuss their artworks, processes and influences with curator Penny Grist.

Join us in the Gallery as we explore Portrait23: Identity with audio descriptions for visitors who are blind or have low vision.

Listen along to Rhythm Syndicate’s musical offering of high energy jazz classics.

Ausdance ACT will be in the Gallery during Australian Dance Week to enhance your Portrait 23: Identity exhibition experience!

Stretch out and sit back as artist Taryn Gill discusses her artwork, process and influence with First Nations Curator Rebecca Ray.

Are you a super sewer / embroider extraordinaire / confident crafter? Then why not join us in the Gallery for a sewing circle with artist Deborah Kelly!

Are you a super sewer / embroider extraordinaire / confident crafter? Then why not join us in the Gallery for a sewing circle with artist Deborah Kelly!

This autumn, join a Learning Facilitator to look at the portrait “Me” by Ken Done to explore ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­colour, patterns and faces through movement, singing and crafty play.

Fluff your mullet, squeeze into your jeans and join our Director Collection and Exhibitions Sandra Bruce, musician and producer Paul Greene, and musician George Bishop of El Horses fame for a local beer garden chat about this loud and sweaty exhibition.

This autumn, join a Learning Facilitator to look at the portrait “Me” by Ken Done to explore ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­colour, patterns and faces through movement, singing and crafty play.

To celebrate Reconciliation Week, our free highlights tours will focus on some remarkable, resilient and inspirational Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the collection, exploring our shared histories, cultures and achievements.

Join us in the Gallery as we explore Portrait23: Identity with audio descriptions for visitors who are blind or have low vision.

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. Entries are now open!