Information for visitors, National Portrait Gallery

Updated 5:30pm Thursday 28 May 2020

We’re opening again on 6 June, and are absolutely thrilled to be able to welcome you back to the Gallery! Having said that, as part of making sure our visitors and staff are safe, we’ll need you to pre-book in for one of our hourly sessions. You’ll be able to make bookings from Wednesday June 3, and there are some terms and conditions as part of the process. More information is included in the FAQs below.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are you reopening?

Saturday 6 June.

Will the café and Portrait Store be open?

Yes.

The café and shop will reopen on Saturday 6 June too. They’ll have additional requirements due to food service and smaller spaces, so please look for, and adhere to, their signage.

What exhibitions will be on and do I have to pay?

The National Photographic Portrait Prize, the inaugural Darling Portrait Prize and Shirley Purdie’s exceptional exhibition, Ngalim-Ngalimbooroo Ngagenybe (From my women) will be on display. As they were only on show for a couple of weeks before we closed, we’re thrilled to extend the exhibitions so we can celebrate and support these magnificent Australian artists.

All shows are free.

Can I turn up anytime between 10am and 5pm?

Unfortunately not.

All visitors must pre-book for one of the hourly sessions that are available daily. Each session will have a maximum of 20 people allowed and – to make sure we can safely transition between the sessions – you will have 50 minutes of glorious viewing time.

The booking system will be available from Wednesday 3 June. Our Circle of Friends members will be given priority access before then, so Friends, keep an eye out for an email from us.

Why do I have to pre-book?

We need you to pre-book so we can manage our restricted capacity and avoid any disappointment if you turn up and we already have 20 people inside.

It will also allow us to collect visitor information, as recommended by ACT Health, to enable effective contact tracing if required.

What if I don’t have access to a computer or device to book online?

If you can ask a friend or family member to help you pre-book, that would be appreciated. Otherwise, call us on (02) 6102 7070 and we can book you in as long as you provide us with your contact details. Please note that we will try and book you in for your preferred time, but won’t be able to if the session is already at capacity (20 people).

Can I book more than one session?

Yes.

However, we’ll need you to exit and re-enter the building between your sessions. This is to ensure we can track and comply with our 20 people limit.

What if I turn up without pre-booking?

We really need you to pre-book, however if you turn up on the hour and the session isn’t full, we can either let you in or book you in for a later session. For either option, we’ll still need you to provide us with your contact details.

Can I bring a school or tour group?

Not immediately.

It depends on your date/s and the number of attendees. Email bookings@npg.gov.au and we’ll be in touch to try and work out your group’s visit or an alternative online option.

What do I do when I arrive at the Gallery for my session?

Please ensure that you turn up on time and have your booking confirmation with you—either as a print-out or displayed on your phone. We will have someone to greet you, who will check your booking and explain what to expect. We’ll also have somewhere warm for you to wait if you are a little bit early.

Please remember that physical distancing of 1.5 metres must be maintained at all times, even if arriving with family or friends. It may take more time than usual for you to enter the Gallery too, so please be patient.

Can I use the cloakroom?

Our normal cloakroom will not be available.

A self-service cloaking area will be located in the Gallery. While this area is supervised and monitored by CCTV, it is not physically secure and visitors are encouraged to leave any large items in their car.

What safety and hygiene measures will you have in place?

To keep you and our staff safe, we have:

Hourly, pre-booked sessions of 50 minutes each, with a maximum of 20 people.
Separate entry/exit points.
Increased cleaning everywhere in the Gallery.
Hand hygiene products and signage available.
Physical distancing practices and signage in place.
A safety screen at the front desk.
A duty of care that we need to share; this is where you come in …

Do you need me to do anything?

Yes please.

While we’ll have everything set up for your safe visit, we need your help too, by:

Pre-booking for one of the hourly sessions—when it’s available.
Staying home if you’re unwell.
Staying home if you’ve been in contact with a known or suspected COVID-19 case.
Considering downloading the COVIDSafe app if you haven’t already.
Keeping 1.5 metres away from other visitors or staff—unless you live in the same house.
Looking for, reading and adhering to any Gallery signage.
Complying with any written or verbal directions from Gallery staff or security.
Using an ATM card or credit card to pay for your parking and café or Portrait Store purchases.

It all sounds like a lot of rules, but as the simple, accurate and relentless phrase goes, we’re all in this together.

Can I book a venue or event?

Yes, sort of.

It depends on your date/s and the number of attendees. Email npgevents@npg.gov.au and we’ll be in touch to talk through what you’re wanting to do and how we can help.

Where can I get more information?

We’ll be updating this information as things change, so: