Online and distance groups, National Portrait Gallery

Overview

Can't make it to Canberra? Let the National Portrait Gallery come to you! Our Virtual Excursions connect the Gallery to classrooms and community groups from all over Australia and beyond. Wherever you are, you can participate in live, fully-interactive learning programs and virtual excursions aligned with the Australian Curriculum. All our programs encourage participants to explore new ideas, ways of seeing and to respond creatively, in order to understand and appreciate Australian history, people and art.

The Virtual Excursions project is made possible with funds donated by Tim Fairfax AC.

How does it work?

Virtual Excursions are 60-minute learning programs where your group has access to a Gallery Learning Facilitator via videoconferencing.

You can connect with your:

Videoconferencing system – e.g. Polycom, Tandberg or similar;
Classroom PC or Mac with connected webcam and microphone;
Mobile device(s) – e.g. iPads, Android tablets.

Once you’ve made a booking, the Gallery will email you more information with instructions on how to connect.

Bookings & contacts

To make a booking, please go to the bookings page and choose Virtual Excursions from the program list and please state the program name in the 'Special requirements' field.

We welcome any general enquiries, or discussions regarding specific content for programs. Please email bookings@npg.gov.au.

Current programs

Browse the list of Virtual Excursions on offer below.

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2019

Photography (Years 7 to 10)

Explore the historic and contemporary works featured in our Collection and the Prize. Question what makes a compelling photograph as you examine photographers’ different approaches and feel inspired in your own art making practice.

Dana Bergstrom, Penguin, 2018 by Linde Ivimey

So Fine - Contemporary women artists make Australian history

Foundation to Tertiary

Explore the artworks featured and investigate the different artists perspectives around Australia’s history and biography through So Fine, featuring new works from ten women artists reinterpreting and reimagining elements of Australian history.

Put Yourself in the Picture

Visual Arts (Foundation to Year 10)

What is a portrait? Explore a selection of historical and contemporary Australian examples and the stories behind them. Be inspired by the artists' techniques to create a self-portrait.

Portrait of Captain James Cook RN, 1782 John Webber

History in the Frame

History (Years 3 to 6)

From Truganini to Ned Kelly - we investigate a range of portraits to piece together Australia's development as a nation. Discover people's migration and colonisation stories, different perspectives and the historical value of portraiture.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievements and activism

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies (Years 4 to 6)

How have artists captured Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in portraits? Explore different techniques used by artists and learn about the people in the portraits – their achievements, roles, stories of activism and connection with country.

Dr Brown and Green Old Time Waltz, 1983 Harold Thornton

Portrait of Australian Society

Civics and citizenship (Years 7 to 10)

How do we participate in this diverse and interconnected world? Reflect on your own civic responsibilities and discover the lives of individuals through their portraits and how they have contributed to Australia’s evolving identity.

Marcia Langton, 2009 Brook Andrew, Trent Walter

NAIDOC week celebrations, 2019. Voice. Treaty. Truth. Let’s work together for a shared future.

Foundation to Year 12

Guided by the 2019 NAIDOC week theme, Voice. Treaty. Truth. Let’s work together for a shared future, students and teachers will learn about the achievements, resistance and continued contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander subjects from the National Portrait Gallery’s collection.

Tony Albert, Be deadly – NORFORCE, 2012–13. (AWM ART94987)

SPECIAL OFFER! NAIDOC Week celebrations 2019

Voice. Treaty. Truth. Let’s work together for a shared future.

The Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Portrait Gallery are collaborating to celebrate NAIDOC Week! Join our live learning facilitators on these special virtual programs.