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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 visit information

We welcome school visits, but as you can imagine, the experience will be a little different than in the past. Group sizes and access to the exhibition spaces will be limited to ensure all visitors and staff are safe.

Please read our COVID-19 Safe Plan before visiting.

School visit guidelines

Group sizes for children in Year 2 or above are limited to 60 and in four groups of up to 15. Preschool, Foundation and Year 1 group sizes are capped at 10. Teacher supervision is required at all times, with a maximum of two per group. Student behaviour, safety and security are the responsibility of the visiting educator.

Once you’ve submitted a booking, we’ll send you a confirmation and make every effort to ensure we understand your needs. If something goes awry and you need to cancel, that’s ok, just send us an email 48 hours before your program. If it’s less than 48 hours or you forget to turn up, we have to charge you a $30 admin fee, so please get in touch if you need to via bookings@npg.gov.au

When visiting, please:

  • aim to arrive 10 minutes before the start of your program.
  • make sure students leave their bags on the bus.
  • gather outside in the forecourt and send one adult inside to check in at the Information Desk and confirm numbers.

Photography

As long as it for personal use, you can take photos of any of the portraits (except the ones with the No Photos icon). Please don’t use your flash, a tripod or any other wild contraption like a selfie-stick.

We prefer it if students don’t take photos during the education programs, however teachers can take photos of their students participating.

Moving through the Gallery

Probably an obvious one, but no one is allowed to touch any artwork.

Please ensure your students don’t lean, rest or sit on walls, artworks, plinths or display cases. We have seats in the galleries and provide stools for secondary student groups who have booked in.

Drawing and writing

2B or 4B pencils and paper are the only drawing materials allowed in the galleries; and only by groups who have booked in and are being led by one of our Access & Learning educators. No one else (except adults) can take drawing materials into the galleries.

We do love all kinds of other fabulous creative materials, but they can’t go anywhere near the gallery spaces (we’re having heart palpitations just thinking about it!)

Food and drinks

Water bottles and food, including chewing gum, are not allowed in the galleries (cue more heart palpitations).

Risk assessment

A copy of the risk assessment for school visits can be downloaded here.

Certificate of Currency

Download a copy of our Certificate of Currency.

PACER rebates

In some circumstances, your visit can count for PACER rebate purposes. Please visit pacer.org.au for information.

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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