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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

What's on

Friday 24 March 2023 – Monday 24 March 2025

Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

The work of art

In Galleries Eight and Nine

Exhibition closes 23 May

It takes a village to raise a creative! Get an insight into the often-unseen work and supporters needed for the arts to thrive. The work of art documents the creative process, evoke states of creativity and inspiration, and shows us clues about the subject’s own work from the way artists portray them.

Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman

At ease

In Gallery One

Exhibition closes 27 August

Enjoy, sit back, and relax with some of our favourites from the Gallery’s collection, where they find themselves expertly – and comfortably – captured by their artists.

Portrait23: Identity logo
Portrait23: Identity logo
Portrait23: Identity logo
Portrait23: Identity logo

Portrait23: Identity

Exhibition closes 18 June

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

Four works from Happy Australian, 2022 Vipoo Srivilasa
Four works from Happy Australian, 2022 Vipoo Srivilasa
Four works from Happy Australian, 2022 Vipoo Srivilasa
Four works from Happy Australian, 2022 Vipoo Srivilasa

Portrait 23: Identity tour

11:15am, Fri 10 Mar until Fri 16 Jun

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

Bookings available
Play on (A portrait of Neale Daniher)
Play on (A portrait of Neale Daniher)
Play on (A portrait of Neale Daniher)
Play on (A portrait of Neale Daniher)

Collection Highlights Tour

2:15pm, Daily until Sun 31 Dec

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

Bookings available
Twelve portraits of finalists for the Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2023
Twelve portraits of finalists for the Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2023
Twelve portraits of finalists for the Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2023
Twelve portraits of finalists for the Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2023

Little Darlings Youth Portrait Prize 2023

Exhibition opens 25 March

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.

Marea Gazzard
Marea Gazzard
Marea Gazzard
Marea Gazzard

The Iconoclasts

In Gallery Three

Exhibition open every day

Australian portraiture of the mid-twentieth century was rich with the influence of European modernism, exemplified by the work of artists including Arthur Boyd, Judy Cassab and Clifton Pugh.

A person with long hair being blown by the wind, wearing a blue dress, while leaning over the edge of a boat on the water
A person with long hair being blown by the wind, wearing a blue dress, while leaning over the edge of a boat on the water
A person with long hair being blown by the wind, wearing a blue dress, while leaning over the edge of a boat on the water
A person with long hair being blown by the wind, wearing a blue dress, while leaning over the edge of a boat on the water

Culture Cruise

Presented by Australian Dance Party

10:30am, Sat 25 Mar

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.

Bookings required
Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait
Self portrait

Virtual Highlight Tour

Dazzling Daughters

12:30pm, Tue 28 Mar
Live online

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

Bookings required
The family
The family
The family
The family

Little Faces

10:30am, Wed 29 Mar until Thu 30 Mar

This autumn, join a Learning Facilitator to look at the portrait “The Family” by Charles Blackman to explore ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­colour, patterns and faces through movement, singing and crafty play.

Bookings required
The family
The family
The family
The family

Little Faces

9:30am, 10:30am, Fri 31 Mar

This autumn, join a Learning Facilitator to look at the portrait “The Family” by Charles Blackman to explore ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­colour, patterns and faces through movement, singing and crafty play.

Bookings required
Mary Chomley
Mary Chomley
Mary Chomley
Mary Chomley

The Cosmopolitans

In Gallery Two

Exhibition opens 1 April

Spanning the 1880s to the 1930s, this collection display celebrates the innovations in art – and life – introduced by the generation of Australians who travelled to London and Paris for experience and inspiration in the decades either side of 1900.

Yarrenyty Arltere Artists installation
Yarrenyty Arltere Artists installation
Yarrenyty Arltere Artists installation
Yarrenyty Arltere Artists installation

Audio described tour

1:00pm, Mon 3 Apr

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

Bookings required
Florence Broadhurst
Florence Broadhurst
Florence Broadhurst
Florence Broadhurst

Virtual Highlights Tour

Inside Voices

12:30pm, Tue 4 Apr
Live online

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.

Bookings required
Dr Joseph Brown with Two Typists
Dr Joseph Brown with Two Typists
Dr Joseph Brown with Two Typists
Dr Joseph Brown with Two Typists

April Spotlight Series

10:15am, Wed 5 Apr

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.

Bookings required
A boy drawing on paper with a pencil
A boy drawing on paper with a pencil
A boy drawing on paper with a pencil
A boy drawing on paper with a pencil

Art Cart

10:00am, Fri 7 Apr until Sun 23 Apr

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’.

Bella Groove
Bella Groove
Bella Groove
Bella Groove

Drawn in

Bella Groove

1:00pm, Sun 9 Apr

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

Portrait play
Portrait play
Portrait play
Portrait play

Portrait Play

10:30am, Tue 11 Apr until Fri 14 Apr

Explore portraits through drawing and creative activity in the galleries.

Bookings required
Professor Germaine Greer
Professor Germaine Greer
Professor Germaine Greer
Professor Germaine Greer

Virtual Highlights Tour

Storm in a Teacup

12:30pm, Tue 11 Apr
Live online

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.

Bookings required
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily

Slow art day

2:00pm, Sat 15 Apr

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

Bookings required
Dulcie Sharpe and Rhonda Sharpe in a room with a brown tile floor, next to a wooden table with soft animal sculptures
Dulcie Sharpe and Rhonda Sharpe in a room with a brown tile floor, next to a wooden table with soft animal sculptures
Dulcie Sharpe and Rhonda Sharpe in a room with a brown tile floor, next to a wooden table with soft animal sculptures
Dulcie Sharpe and Rhonda Sharpe in a room with a brown tile floor, next to a wooden table with soft animal sculptures

Colourful creatures workshop

11:30am, Sun 16 Apr

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

Portrait play
Portrait play
Portrait play
Portrait play

Portrait Play

10:30am, Mon 17 Apr until Fri 21 Apr

Explore portraits through drawing and creative activity in the galleries.

Bookings required
Heritage Festival 2023
Heritage Festival 2023
Heritage Festival 2023
Heritage Festival 2023

Sharing stories of sharp edges and smooth finishes

11:15am, Mon 17 Apr until Fri 21 Apr

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

Bookings available
Self Portrait #1
Self Portrait #1
Self Portrait #1
Self Portrait #1

Virtual Highlights Tour

Not just a face

12:30pm, Tue 18 Apr
Live online

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

Bookings required
Fashionista by Maxine Beneba Clarke
Fashionista by Maxine Beneba Clarke
Fashionista by Maxine Beneba Clarke
Fashionista by Maxine Beneba Clarke

Story time - Fashionista

Reading with author, Maxine Beneba Clarke

10:30am, Wed 19 Apr

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!

Bookings required
Fashionista by Maxine Beneba Clarke
Fashionista by Maxine Beneba Clarke
Fashionista by Maxine Beneba Clarke
Fashionista by Maxine Beneba Clarke

Story time - Fashionista

Reading with author, Maxine Beneba Clarke

2:00pm, Wed 19 Apr
Live online

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!

Bookings required
Visitors in Portrait23: Identity featuring works by Atong Atem, Dylan Mooney and Deborah Kelly.
Visitors in Portrait23: Identity featuring works by Atong Atem, Dylan Mooney and Deborah Kelly.
Visitors in Portrait23: Identity featuring works by Atong Atem, Dylan Mooney and Deborah Kelly.
Visitors in Portrait23: Identity featuring works by Atong Atem, Dylan Mooney and Deborah Kelly.

Relaxed mornings

9:00am, Sun 23 Apr

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.

Bookings required
The family
The family
The family
The family

Little Faces

10:30am, Wed 26 Apr until Thu 27 Apr

This autumn, join a Learning Facilitator to look at the portrait “The Family” by Charles Blackman to explore ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­colour, patterns and faces through movement, singing and crafty play.

Bookings required
Stephen Page, 2021 Daniel Boud
Stephen Page, 2021 Daniel Boud
Stephen Page, 2021 Daniel Boud
Stephen Page, 2021 Daniel Boud

Andrew Sayers Memorial Lecture – CLANSHIP

Stephen Page AO, former Artistic Director of Bangarra

6:00pm, Thu 27 Apr

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.

Bookings required
The family
The family
The family
The family

Little Faces

9:30am, Fri 28 Apr

This autumn, join a Learning Facilitator to look at the portrait “The Family” by Charles Blackman to explore ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­colour, patterns and faces through movement, singing and crafty play.

Bookings required
Two grounps of three people standing in a studio with walls and shelves filled with artworks
Two grounps of three people standing in a studio with walls and shelves filled with artworks
Two grounps of three people standing in a studio with walls and shelves filled with artworks
Two grounps of three people standing in a studio with walls and shelves filled with artworks

Virtual Highlights Tour

Gnarly Trees

12:30pm, Tue 2 May
Live online

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.

Bookings required
A boy drawing on paper with a pencil
A boy drawing on paper with a pencil
A boy drawing on paper with a pencil
A boy drawing on paper with a pencil

Art Cart

10:00am, Wed 3 May until Sun 18 Jun

Ponder your place in the world and reflect on your own identity by making your own ‘me tree’.

John Mawurndjul
John Mawurndjul
John Mawurndjul
John Mawurndjul

May Spotlight

10:15am, Wed 3 May

Our monthly Circle of Friends get-together, this time with our Visitor Services Coordinator Marina, taking a look at the portait of John Mawurndjul by R. Ian Lloyd.

Bookings required
Yarrenyty Arltere Artists installation
Yarrenyty Arltere Artists installation
Yarrenyty Arltere Artists installation
Yarrenyty Arltere Artists installation

Audio described tour

1:00pm, Thu 4 May

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

Bookings required
Rhythm Syndicate choir standing together on stage
Rhythm Syndicate choir standing together on stage
Rhythm Syndicate choir standing together on stage
Rhythm Syndicate choir standing together on stage

Rhythm Syndicate Choir

1:30pm, Sat 6 May

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

Photo credit: Art Atelier
Photo credit: Art Atelier
Photo credit: Art Atelier
Photo credit: Art Atelier

Australian Dance Week 2023

Identity

10:30am, Sun 7 May

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

Tarryn Gill
Tarryn Gill
Tarryn Gill
Tarryn Gill

Virtual Highlights Tour

Becoming Limber

12:30pm, Tue 9 May
Live online

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

Bookings required
The Greatest Showman movie poster
The Greatest Showman movie poster
The Greatest Showman movie poster
The Greatest Showman movie poster

Film Screening

The Greatest Showman

1:30pm, Sun 14 May

Bring the family of your choice and celebrate Mother’s and Other’s Day.

Bookings required

Archibald Prize Bus Trip

7:00am, Thu 18 May

Join us for a day trip to see the finalists of the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes at the Art Gallery of NSW.

Bookings required
Latai Taumoepeau
Latai Taumoepeau
Latai Taumoepeau
Latai Taumoepeau

A Stitch in Time

12:30pm, Thu 18 May

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!

Bookings required
Latai Taumoepeau
Latai Taumoepeau
Latai Taumoepeau
Latai Taumoepeau

A Stitch in Time

12:30pm, Fri 19 May

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!

Bookings required
Nell standing in her workshop next to a cross legged sculpture
Nell standing in her workshop next to a cross legged sculpture
Nell standing in her workshop next to a cross legged sculpture
Nell standing in her workshop next to a cross legged sculpture

Artist Talk

Nell

1:00pm, Sat 20 May

Artist Nell will be visiting us to chat about her work in Portrait23: Identity.

Bookings required
Portrait23: Identity view featuring works by Kate Beynon and Vipoo Srivilasa
Portrait23: Identity view featuring works by Kate Beynon and Vipoo Srivilasa
Portrait23: Identity view featuring works by Kate Beynon and Vipoo Srivilasa
Portrait23: Identity view featuring works by Kate Beynon and Vipoo Srivilasa

Virtual Highlight Tour

A Portrait23: Identity wander

12:30pm, Tue 23 May
Live online

Pop on your finest as we walk you through Portrait23: Identity. Yes that’s right, we’re streaming live from inside the gallery spaces!

Bookings required
The family
The family
The family
The family

Little Faces

10:30am, Wed 24 May until Thu 25 May

This autumn, join a Learning Facilitator to look at the portrait “The Family” by Charles Blackman to explore ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­colour, patterns and faces through movement, singing and crafty play.

Bookings required
Jimmy Barnes at The Coogee Bay Hotel
Jimmy Barnes at The Coogee Bay Hotel
Jimmy Barnes at The Coogee Bay Hotel
Jimmy Barnes at The Coogee Bay Hotel

In Conversation

Pub Rock

11:00am, Thu 25 May
Live online

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.

Bookings required
The family
The family
The family
The family

Little Faces

9:30am, Fri 26 May

This autumn, join a Learning Facilitator to look at the portrait “The Family” by Charles Blackman to explore ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­colour, patterns and faces through movement, singing and crafty play.

Bookings required
Alter Ego
Alter Ego
Alter Ego
Alter Ego

Alter Ego

An Evening of Other!

6:30pm, Fri 26 May

Join us for Alter Ego: An Evening of Other! This 18+ late-night event is curated and produced by Kat Dopper of Heaps Gay, Queer Agency and Summer Camp Festival fame.

Bookings required
Deborah Mailman
Deborah Mailman
Deborah Mailman
Deborah Mailman

Reconciliation Week highlights tours

Be a Voice for Generations

2:15pm, Sat 27 May until Sat 3 Jun

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.

Bookings available
Yves Rees
Yves Rees
Yves Rees
Yves Rees

Virtual Highlight Tour

Gender, voice and trans identity

12:30pm, Tue 30 May
Live online

Writer Yves Rees discusses Voice Notes – their Portrait23: Identity catalogue essay about gender, voice and trans identity.

Bookings required
Self portrait, 2022 RJ Parker
Self portrait, 2022 RJ Parker
Self portrait, 2022 RJ Parker
Self portrait, 2022 RJ Parker

Gulgawarnigu

Thinking of something, someone

Exhibition opens 3 June

In partnership with Big hART we are proud to present Gulgawarnigu - Thinking of something, someone, a national presentation of digital artworks created from Ngarluma country leramagadu (Roebourne), in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Alison Alder wearing a paint splattered apron, leaning against a bench in her studio
Alison Alder wearing a paint splattered apron, leaning against a bench in her studio
Alison Alder wearing a paint splattered apron, leaning against a bench in her studio
Alison Alder wearing a paint splattered apron, leaning against a bench in her studio

Printed Portraits with Alison Alder

Megalo Print Studio

10:00am, Sat 3 Jun

In this hands-on workshop with Alison, discover more about her work as she teaches you the process of screen printing to create a portrait of someone who inspires you.

Bookings required
Jack Charles
Jack Charles
Jack Charles
Jack Charles

Virtual Highlight Tour

Reconciliation Week Stories

12:30pm, Tue 6 Jun
Live online

Join us as we celebrate Reconciliation Week with a focus on the stories and portraits of the fabulous First Nations faces of Robert Fielding, Jessica Mauboy, Heath Bergerson and Jack Charles.

Bookings required
Mary Chomley
Mary Chomley
Mary Chomley
Mary Chomley

June Spotlight Series

10:15am, Wed 7 Jun

Our Senior Curator, Joanna, will be taking a look at the portrait of Mary Chomley by Violet Teague.

Bookings required
Yarrenyty Arltere Artists installation
Yarrenyty Arltere Artists installation
Yarrenyty Arltere Artists installation
Yarrenyty Arltere Artists installation

Audio described tour

1:00pm, Wed 7 Jun

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

Bookings required
Mitzy, Iska & Nyssa
Mitzy, Iska & Nyssa
Mitzy, Iska & Nyssa
Mitzy, Iska & Nyssa

Drawn in

Mitzy, Iska & Nyssa

1:00pm, Sun 11 Jun

Draw while listening to Mitzy, Iska & Nyssa as they play classic pop inspired by the hit TV show Bridgerton.

Dame Edna Everage
Dame Edna Everage
Dame Edna Everage
Dame Edna Everage

Virtual Highlight Tour

Barry, Edna & Les

12:30pm, Tue 13 Jun
Live online

Join us as we explore the (sometimes cheeky) portraits of Barry Humphries, and all reflect on the art, life and humour of this Australian legend.

Bookings required
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023

NPPP 2023 Preview

2:00pm, 5:30pm, Thu 15 Jun

Join Joanna Gilmour, one of this years judges for your members exclusive preview and be the first to see the photographs selected as this year’s finalists.

Bookings required
Nine square images of previous winners of the National Photographic Portrait Prize
Nine square images of previous winners of the National Photographic Portrait Prize
Nine square images of previous winners of the National Photographic Portrait Prize
Nine square images of previous winners of the National Photographic Portrait Prize

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023

Exhibition opens 17 June

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.

Bookings available
Tamara Dean
Tamara Dean
Tamara Dean
Tamara Dean

Panel discussion

A judge’s eye

10:30am, Sat 17 Jun

Join us in the Gallery to hear from the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023 judges Tamara Dean, Daniel Boetker-Smith, and our very own Joanna Gilmour, as they discuss the artworks and themes in this year’s Prize.

Bookings required
Maybe Today Kris Anderson
Maybe Today Kris Anderson
Maybe Today Kris Anderson
Maybe Today Kris Anderson

Lecture and workshop

Concept, Capture, Craft - The Art of Idea Visualisation with Kris Anderson

2:30pm, Sat 17 Jun

Join award-winning photographer Kris Anderson as he talks about his creative process, and reveals techniques you can use for your own work.

Bookings required
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023

National Photographic Portrait Prize highlights tour

11:15am, Mon 19 Jun until Mon 2 Oct

Join us in the Gallery for this free 30-minute tour of the 2023 National Photographic Portrait Prize to hear more about the artist’s vision and stories of their subjects.

Bookings available
A boy drawing on paper with a pencil
A boy drawing on paper with a pencil
A boy drawing on paper with a pencil
A boy drawing on paper with a pencil

Art Cart

Patchwork Portraits

10:00am, Tue 20 Jun until Sat 5 Aug

Get warm, cosy and creative with us this winter! Drop-in any time with family and friends for free craft activities.

Nine square images of previous winners of the National Photographic Portrait Prize
Nine square images of previous winners of the National Photographic Portrait Prize
Nine square images of previous winners of the National Photographic Portrait Prize
Nine square images of previous winners of the National Photographic Portrait Prize

Virtual Highlight Tour

NPPP 2023 – a Curator's intro

12:30pm, Tue 20 Jun
Live online

Join Senior Curator and NPPP 2023 judge, Joanna Gilmour for a peek at some of this year’s artworks in the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2023.

Bookings required
Peter Sipeli and Kirikiti Juna
Peter Sipeli and Kirikiti Juna
Peter Sipeli and Kirikiti Juna
Peter Sipeli and Kirikiti Juna

Virtual Highlight Tour

A Fijian Perspective

12:30pm, Tue 27 Jun
Live online

Join us as we celebrate Pride Month with poet Peter Sipeli and visual artist Kirikiti Juna, as they talk about life and portraits from their uniquely Fijian LGBTIQA+ perspective.

Bookings required
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily

Little Faces

10:30am, Wed 28 Jun

Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Bookings required
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily

Little Faces

10:30am, Thu 29 Jun

Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Bookings required
I Progetti © Eva Schroeder
I Progetti © Eva Schroeder
I Progetti © Eva Schroeder
I Progetti © Eva Schroeder

I Progetti Chamber Choir

1:30pm, Sat 1 Jul

Similar to, and yet quite unlike Franz Schubert's great song cycle "Winterreise", the programme follows the imagined path of a young man.

Portrait play
Portrait play
Portrait play
Portrait play

Portrait Play

10:30am, Mon 3 Jul until Fri 14 Jul

Through looking, playing and creating, go on a journey of speculation as we explore a variety of portraits and wonder what their stories could be.

Bookings required
Jacob Nash
Jacob Nash
Jacob Nash
Jacob Nash

Virtual Highlight Tour

For Our Elders

12:30pm, Tue 4 Jul
Live online

Join 2022 and 2023 National Photographic Portrait Prize finalist Jacob Nash as he discusses portraiture through the lens of this year’s NAIDOC theme, For Our Elders.

Bookings required
Tangki Tjuta Donkeys
Tangki Tjuta Donkeys
Tangki Tjuta Donkeys
Tangki Tjuta Donkeys

Story Time

Tangki Tjuta Donkeys – Story and sculptures by Tjanpi Desert Weavers

10:30am, Thu 6 Jul

Come one, come all! Book in (see what we did there?) for an immersive story time with us and celebrate NAIDOC week!

Bookings required
Tangki Tjuta Donkeys
Tangki Tjuta Donkeys
Tangki Tjuta Donkeys
Tangki Tjuta Donkeys

Story Time Online

Tangki Tjuta Donkeys – Story and sculptures by Tjanpi Desert Weavers

2:00pm, Fri 7 Jul
Live online

Come one, come all and celebrate NAIDOC week! Book in (see what we did there?) for an Auslan-interpreted story time with us!

Bookings required
Larissa Kovalchuk
Larissa Kovalchuk
Larissa Kovalchuk
Larissa Kovalchuk

Drawn in

Larissa Kovalchuk

1:00pm, Sun 9 Jul

Draw while listening to Larissa Kovalchuk as they play an assortment of vocal and instrumental music from different eras.

In Leopard Print, 2021 Ayman Kaake
In Leopard Print, 2021 Ayman Kaake
In Leopard Print, 2021 Ayman Kaake
In Leopard Print, 2021 Ayman Kaake

Virtual Highlight Tour

NPG X Yarra Ranges

12:30pm, Tue 11 Jul
Live online

While the 2022 National Photographic Portrait Prize visits Lilydale in VIC, catch Yarra Ranges Regional Museum curator Maddie Reece as they speak to finalists Ayman Kaake and Joey Chan about photography, portraits and their art practice.

Bookings required
Read my lips workshop
Read my lips workshop
Read my lips workshop
Read my lips workshop

Read my lips

Stop motion workshop

10:00am, Wed 12 Jul

Calling all teenagers 13+! Join internationally awarded animators, artists and musicians Eleanor and Giovanni for a fun hands-on workshop!

Bookings required
Portrait sketch of Nellie Melba
Portrait sketch of Nellie Melba
Portrait sketch of Nellie Melba
Portrait sketch of Nellie Melba

Relaxed mornings

9:00am, Sun 16 Jul

Explore the main collection before our usual opening hours. We welcome anyone of any age who would benefit from a more relaxed gallery experience.

Bookings required
Ngayulu Minyma Tjanpinya, I am a Tjanpi Woman
Ngayulu Minyma Tjanpinya, I am a Tjanpi Woman
Ngayulu Minyma Tjanpinya, I am a Tjanpi Woman
Ngayulu Minyma Tjanpinya, I am a Tjanpi Woman

NAIDOC Portraits - For Our Elders

School group bookings

3:15pm, 4:15pm, Mon 17 Jul until Fri 21 Jul

Celebrate NAIDOC with First Nations portraiture during a live National Portrait Gallery program.

Bookings required
Kylie Kwong
Kylie Kwong
Kylie Kwong
Kylie Kwong

Virtual Highlight Tour

Girls who wear glasses

12:30pm, Tue 18 Jul
Live online

Read the bottom line for me. Better or worse? Better or worse? Join us for a lively tour as we focus on (ay, see what we did there?) some of our bespectacled beings in the collection.

Bookings required
Marcia Langton
Marcia Langton
Marcia Langton
Marcia Langton

First Nations Perspectives in Visual Arts

Live Teacher PD Webinar

4:00pm, Thu 20 Jul
Live online

Teachers – celebrate First Nations stories with version 9.0 of the F-10 Australian curriculum. Explore the visual arts collections from leading collections at the National Portrait Gallery and National Gallery of Australia.

Bookings required
Aussie Icon: Portrait of Jenny Kee
Aussie Icon: Portrait of Jenny Kee
Aussie Icon: Portrait of Jenny Kee
Aussie Icon: Portrait of Jenny Kee

Audio described tour

1:00pm, Fri 21 Jul

Join us in the Gallery as we explore artworks with audio descriptions for visitors who are blind or have low vision. Sighted companions and guide dogs are more than welcome.

Bookings required
Self-portrait, 2011-22 Yvette Coppersmith
Self-portrait, 2011-22 Yvette Coppersmith
Self-portrait, 2011-22 Yvette Coppersmith
Self-portrait, 2011-22 Yvette Coppersmith

Draw collection portraits with Yvette Coppersmith

2:00pm, Sat 22 Jul
Live online

Did someone say, ‘art workshop with an Archibald winner?!’ Woo! Join Yvette Coppersmith from wherever you are for a drawing session using a range of works from the collection.

Bookings required
Sir John Franklin
Sir John Franklin
Sir John Franklin
Sir John Franklin

Virtual Highlight Tour

A river runs through it

12:30pm, Tue 25 Jul
Live online

Can you believe it’s been 40 years since the High Court decision to save the Franklin river?! Grab your paddle and join us as we explore the portraits connected to this beautiful lutruwita/Tassie waterway.

Bookings required
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily

Little Faces

10:30am, Wed 26 Jul

Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Bookings required
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily

Little Faces

10:30am, Thu 27 Jul

Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Bookings required
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily

Little Faces

9:30am, 10:30am, Fri 28 Jul

Little Faces is for babies and toddlers (with their grown up) to play, sing and have fun discovering a portrait together.

Bookings required
The Drover's Wife
The Drover's Wife
The Drover's Wife
The Drover's Wife

Screening

The Drover's Wife

2:00pm, Sun 30 Jul

Visionary Writer, Director and Actor Leah Purcell brings to life her powerful reimagining of Henry Lawson’s classic Australian short story.

Bookings required
No-Knit Neurons
No-Knit Neurons
No-Knit Neurons
No-Knit Neurons

No-Knit Neurons Installation

10:00am, Mon 7 Aug until Thu 31 Aug

Whether you’re a whiz with yarn or just discovering the joy of craft, drop in the Gallery and take part in a community art project to crochet, wrap, knit or knot your way to a healthier brain.

No-Knit Neurons
No-Knit Neurons
No-Knit Neurons
No-Knit Neurons

No-Knit Neurons Workshop

10:30am, 1:30pm, Sun 13 Aug

Fire up those neurons this winter and make no-knit neurons with Neural Knitworks artist Pat Pillai and textile artist Rita Pearce.

Jess Herrington, AI-assisted digital image, 2022
Jess Herrington, AI-assisted digital image, 2022
Jess Herrington, AI-assisted digital image, 2022
Jess Herrington, AI-assisted digital image, 2022

Brains vs. Computers

Online Science Week workshop

2:00pm, Thu 17 Aug
Live online

The ultimate battle! Join us with artist Jess Herrington for a workshop like no other.

Bookings required

More events

Tuesday 25 March 2025 – Friday 26 March 2027
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ABN: 54 74 277 1196

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