General environment
We’re located on King Edward Terrace, Parkes, Canberra, in the Parliamentary precinct and are open daily from 10.00am to 5.00 pm except on 25 December. It’s free to get in except for some special exhibitions.
Our award-winning building has an underground carpark, which is free on weekends and public holidays.
We have exhibition spaces for the Collection and temporary exhibitions; public areas, including a café, shop; function rooms; a theatrette; and an education studio. These spaces are shared by the public, education groups and corporate clients.
Please note that there’s no shelter at our bus drop-off point. However, our forecourt – just outside our main entrance – is undercover.
Services offered
We have a wide range of educational programs designed for all levels of formal education from pre-school to tertiary. Drawing on the richness of the Collection, our programs often tie in with the national curriculum and emphasise visual art, history, English, civics and citizenship, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activism.
And good news, there’s no need to pack your pencils, we provide all drawing materials for use in our programs.
Access
All the exhibition spaces, cafe and shop are on ground level. We have wheelchairs, walkers and strollers available. There’s also a hearing loop in the Liangis Theatre and Terrace Rooms. And your assistance animal? They’re more than welcome.
Special clothing or equipment
No special clothing or equipment is required; and we have stools available for secondary students.
Security
Our Access & Learning educators undergo a police check and have Working with Vulnerable People registration.
Our Access & Learning educators, Information desk staff and Security Officers are trained in first aid and other public safety requirements; and are readily available in the public spaces.
We have public liability insurance through the Australian Government’s insurer, Comcover.
Risk assessment
While our building and its surrounds are generally safe, the table below outlines some of the potential hazards and the likelihood of the hazard occurring.
We manage the hazards and request that groups observe the acceptable level of teacher/minder/carer: student ratio (1:15) to ensure adequate supervision and safety for all visitors, staff and works of art.
Risk rating table
Current as of January 2021
| Risk | Description | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fold up stools and other furniture/equipment might cause injury to student/s due to misuse or abuse | Moderate |
| 2 | Student/s might fall/slip/trip on wet floors | Rare |
| 3 | Student/s might climb and fall off the landscaping barriers/walls resulting in injury | Rare |
| 4 | Student/s might get separated/lost from main tour group | Rare |
| 5 | Student/s might fall off studio balcony if furniture is left close to barrier/hand rail | Rare |
| 6 | Studio equipment and material used might pose risks to the health and safety of touring students | Rare |
| 7 | Transmission of COVID-19 to/from school groups. Refer to the COVID19 safe plan for school visits | Moderate |
