Skip to main content
Menu

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.

School Holidays

Daily from Saturday 12 April until Monday 28 April 2025
10:00am – 5:00pm AEST

Get the creativity flowing these school holidays with free, drop-in and bookable activities for kids of all ages.

Children listening during Story Time
Children listening during Story Time
Children listening during Story Time
Children listening during Story Time

Story Time

Secrets of the Seasons

Starts Tuesday 15 April

This Story Time we’re exploring the magic of a childhood spent in the Australian bush with the book Secrets of the Seasons, written by Heidi Cooper Smith.

Drawing a face on paper
Drawing a face on paper
Drawing a face on paper
Drawing a face on paper

Albert and Vincent, You and Me

Walk-up workshop

Daily from Wednesday 16 April

Inspired by the portrait and in celebration of our new acquisition, we invite you to create a double portrait of yourself alongside someone you admire. Your portrait will be displayed in our collaborative artwork in Gallery 3, a few steps away from Albert and Vincent.

A mother and daughter participating in Portrait Play
A mother and daughter participating in Portrait Play
A mother and daughter participating in Portrait Play
A mother and daughter participating in Portrait Play

Portrait Play

Face the music

Selected days until Thursday 24 April

Join us for Portrait Play these school holidays as we explore portraits and music. Come and meet the people that live on our walls, discover musical instruments hidden in the portraits and get creative on your journey through the galleries.

Art cart drawing activities for The Immersive World of Thom Roberts
Art cart drawing activities for The Immersive World of Thom Roberts
Art cart drawing activities for The Immersive World of Thom Roberts
Art cart drawing activities for The Immersive World of Thom Roberts

Art cart

Thom Roberts

Daily until Sunday 20 July

Drop into the Gallery any time for free creative activities inspired by artist Thom Roberts and his exhibition, The Immersive World of Thom Roberts.

Children drawing
Children drawing
Children drawing
Children drawing

Art Cart

Joan Ross

Daily until Sunday 27 April

Drop into the Gallery for free creative activities inspired by the flora and fauna featured in the vibrant exhibition, Joan Ross: Those trees came back to me in my dreams.

Ava Martina
Ava Martina
Ava Martina
Ava Martina

Drawn in

Ava Martina

Sunday 20 April

Listen to the soulful vocals of Ava Martina blended with electric guitar while drawing. Ava will perform a mix of originals and covers spanning generations of artists.

Relaxed Afternoons in the Gallery
Relaxed Afternoons in the Gallery
Relaxed Afternoons in the Gallery
Relaxed Afternoons in the Gallery

Relaxed afternoon

Wednesday 23 April

Explore the Gallery at a quiet time of day. We welcome anyone of any age who would benefit from a more relaxed gallery experience.

Drawing in the Western Courtyard
Drawing in the Western Courtyard
Drawing in the Western Courtyard
Drawing in the Western Courtyard

Drop in drawing

Daily from Friday 29 November

Experience the vibrant flowers and foliage in our Western Courtyard through drawing and observation.

© National Portrait Gallery 2025
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia

Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

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 past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency