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

The Darling Portrait Prize is a biennial national prize for Australian portrait painting honouring the legacy of Mr L Gordon Darling AC CMG (1921-2015). The winner receives a cash prize of $75,000.

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.

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.

The series captures Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Traditional Owners and custodians, respected and significant leaders, advocates and artists within the communities of the APY Lands.

Join us in the Gallery as we share the stories behind the photographs and paintings in the National Photographic Portrait Prize, Darling Portrait Prize and Little Darlings.

Join Professor Penny Sackett (That’s right! One of our very own, esteemed sitters!) as she discusses all things science and portraits as we celebrate National Science Week.

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

An opportunity to take it slow, come together as a community, engaging with art and each other.

Think you know better than the judges? Join in on the debate as we weigh up the complexities of a judged art prize while looking at the Darling Portrait Prize finalists.

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

An opportunity to take it slow, come together as a community, engaging with art and each other.

Join us as we take just three powerful portraits from the fabulous National Photograph Portrait Prize and celebrate First Nations photographers and their sitters.

I Progetti Chamber Choir, directed by Charis Messalina de Valence, invites you to share in this musical offering as they explore new, unfamiliar and infrequently-performed choral music.

A film that celebrates the love, lives and creative collaboration of artists Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter as they prepare and perform at the premiere of Kura Tungar—Songs from the River.

Lunch? Just a snack? Come nibble on some of this year’s cutest entries of the National Photographic Portrait Prize, Darling Portrait Prize, and the Little Darlings!

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

Join Darling Portrait Prize 2022 finalist Melissa Clements and discover the alchemy of colour mixing to create varied and luminous flesh.

Join Darling Portrait Prize 2022 finalist Melissa Clements and discover the alchemy of colour mixing to create varied and luminous flesh.

Did you know we have over 20 portraits of Academy Award winners in our collection? Join Georgina, our Social Media and Content Coordinator, as she discusses her second and third favourite things (after socials, of course): films and the famous people who work on them.

Draw while listening to a gentle sound work based on mandolin and electronics with sound artist Lynden Bassett.

Join us as we explore the story of three commercial art galleries, their gallerists and the significant contribution they make to the arts in Australia.

Our popular art cart is back for the school holidays! This is where you can get all creative during your visit if the mood takes you, responding to our latest exhibition the National Photographic Portrait Prize.

Explore portraits through drawing and creative activity in the galleries.

Art as activism! Join us as we explore how portraiture can depict strength and activism at work, and also be a form of activism in itself.

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

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

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

Featuring 130 works across painting, film, photography, screen printing, sculpture, and then some – it explores our inner worlds, outer selves, intimacy, isolation, celebrity and more.

Join us in the Gallery for this free 30-minute tour exploring the exciting new exhibition WHO ARE YOU: Australian Portraiture.

Explore portraits through drawing and creative activity in the galleries.

Join us online to explore togetherness, connection, and intimacy in some of our favourite group portraits.

Big Fella Rain is a celebration of the transition from dry season to wet season in a country that is like no other place in the world.

Big Fella Rain is a celebration of the transition from dry season to wet season in a country that is like no other place in the world.

Join Darling Portrait Prize 2022 finalist Caroline Zilinsky in a deep dive into drawing, focussing on the importance of line in creating a portrait.

Join Darling Portrait Prize 2022 finalist Caroline Zilinsky in a deep dive into drawing, focussing on the importance of line in creating a portrait.

Explore the main collection before our usual opening hours. We welcome anyone of any age who would benefit from a more relaxed gallery experience. We’ll have low sensory spaces, quiet areas and a creative activity for families to enjoy together.

Take a journey with us as we uncover princesses, mermaids, and magicians of the movie screen in the enchanted forests of the gallery collection.

Join us online or onsite for an intriguing insight into the WHO ARE YOU: Australian portraiture themes with the curators.

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

What stands out as a childhood memory for you? What advice would you give your younger self knowing what you know now?

Encompassing the 1820s to the 2020s, Time and Line showcases the depth and extent of our drawing collection.

Canberra Dance Theatre’s dancers respond to our latest exhibition with a series of dances including Contemporary, Ballet, Hilal and K-Pop.

Does an artwork need to have a face in it to be considered a portrait? Spoiler alert, no! Join us as we unpack what really is – or isn’t - important for a portrait, featuring works from WHO ARE YOU: Australian Portraiture.

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

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

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

Young people explore the stories in our cultural institutions as part of the COME ALIVE Festival of Museum Theatre.

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.

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.

Join us in the Gallery and draw while listening to Mr Tim journey around the world through rock music!

Friends are the family you choose! Join Circle of Friends Coordinator Tazmin Kip and explore some of our favourite portraits of best mates, chums and bffs from our collection.

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.

Draw while listening to Smith & Jones, made up of keyboard player and vocalist Abby Smith, and guitarist and vocalist Sophie Jones.

Pull up a chair or kick back on your sofa! Join us as we lounge with some seated sitters in the collection (see what we did there?).

Here at the NPG, we love surprises. Come along with us as we are delighted, enraptured and puzzled by some of the more ‘out of the box’ portraits in WHO ARE YOU: Australian Portraiture.

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

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

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

It’s back baby! The Undercurrent Design Market showcases an array of contemporary, leading-edge, Australian-made design treats.

It’s back baby! The Undercurrent Design Market showcases an array of contemporary, leading-edge, Australian-made design treats.

It’s back baby! The Undercurrent Design Market showcases an array of contemporary, leading-edge, Australian-made design treats.

Join us to discuss Ned Kelly - the man and the myth. Exploring a small selection of portraits of the famous bushranger we will mount our interpretive saddles and ride off into the portraits.

Join local jazz vocal group Rhythm Syndicate in the Gallery as they take you on an enchanting journey through some jazz, pop and Christmas greats of the music world.

Join us in the gallery to discover more about Mike Parr’s broad interdisciplinary practice, and his thoughts on portraiture, self and expression.

With the holiday season fast upon us let us get in the festive spirit with portraits that Celebrate! Join us for a dash of joy, a sprinkle of fun and a measure of merry.

We have free creative activities for families to enjoy together inspired by WHO ARE YOU: Australian Portraiture.

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

Draw while listening to live music performed by Salar Ayoubi. Salar is an Iranian oud player, playing Persian and Kurdish songs.

Join us in the Gallery this school holidays and explore portraits of people with the things they love.

Join us in the Gallery as we explore WHO ARE YOU: Australian Portraiture with our tour for visitors who are blind or have low vision.

Listen to a lively reading of Do you want to meet your grandma? by author SV Middleby, followed by some creative craft activities.

Listen online to a lively reading of Do you want to meet your grandma? by author SV Middleby, then create your own visual response with materials found around the house.

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

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.

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.

Join us online for a vibrant workshop with artist TextaQueen! Discover more about their art practice before grabbing your own Textas and creating a movie-inspired poster about fighting oppression. Right on!

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.

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

Pop on your colourful kit and join us in the Gallery to celebrate WorldPride. Reflect on your identity and make a colourful flag or fold an origami pocket heart. This is a free activity for families, friends, anyone and everyone!

After long summer holidays, we’re heading back to class to meet some inspiring educators and celebrate some teachers from the collection who changed our lives. Hat, drink bottle and lunch optional.

Join us for a day trip to see the transformation of the Art Gallery of NSW (AGNSW).

Already longing to be back at the beach, swimming in the swell or riding a wave? Grab your sunscreen and join us to look at some of our favourite portraits of fellow sea lovers.

What makes creative couples tick? These short videos reveal an intimate portrait of the Huxleys, a unique couple whose romantic and creative lives intersect with chemistry, hard work, tension and magic.

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

Draw while listening to the Pop Up Choir, singing songs that will leave your toes tapping and heart full.

Join us – clothed or with your camera off – as we discuss the queer history of nude dudes in art.

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

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

Join us in the Gallery with artist Minna Gilligan for a creative workshop exploring the story telling powers of colour and collage.

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.

Join us online with artist Minna Gilligan for a creative workshop exploring the story telling powers of colour and collage.

Join special guest Fijian poet and art activist Peter Sipeli as we celebrate WorldPride from a Pacific perspective.

Our Social Media and Content Coordinator, Georgina, will be taking a look at Patricia Piccinini by Allissa Oughtred.

Spirits Shapeshifting blends watercolour and digital animation to bring vibrant beings to life amid botanical dreamscapes, atmospheric skies and kaleidoscopic visions.

Join us in the Gallery with award-winning artist, writer, composer and musician Matt Ottley for a screening of his latest work, The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness.

Join us as we celebrate science with a social conscious. We’ll be focusing on those in our collection who grabbed the opportunity to improve the quality of women’s health across the world.

We are beyond excited to invite our Circle of Friends members to an exclusive members-only preview of Portrait23: Identity.

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.

Visit the Portrait Gallery after dark! We are keeping our doors open until 10:00pm to celebrate our latest exhibition Portrait23: Identity.

Join us for a special performance lecture commissioned for the Gallery's latest exhibition Portrait23: Identity.

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.

Bring your little ones and join artist Kate Beynon as she activates her Fantastic Faces Space! Kate has created 200 cushions with 31 colourful designs that you can arrange with her on the felt walls to create imaginative faces.

Join us for a special performance lecture commissioned for the Gallery's latest exhibition Portrait23: Identity.

Unleash your creative side and show the world your unique style with a handmade paper doll!

Join curators Penny Grist and Rebecca Ray for a look at some of the amazing artists in Portrait23: Identity! It’s portraiture, but not as you know it.

Starting off 2023 with a bang is Curator, Collection and Research, Joanna Gilmour, who'll be taking you on a deep dive into portraits by painter, Judy Cassab.

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.

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.

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.

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 “The Family” by Charles Blackman to explore ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­colour, patterns and faces through movement, singing and crafty play.

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.

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.

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 “The Family” by Charles Blackman 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 “The Family” by Charles Blackman 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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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!

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

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

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.

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 “The Family” by Charles Blackman to explore ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­colour, patterns and faces through movement, singing and crafty play.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Draw while listening to Gracenotes as they sing an eclectic mix of harmonies inspired by contemporary, traditional folk, gospel and American genres.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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