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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.

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Events

25 results

Two children drawing at an easel in the Gordon Darling Hall

Drawn In

Tobias Cole with TRANSCENDENCE

Event, Sunday 7 June

Draw while award‑winning singer and director Tobias Cole performs with vocal ensemble TRANSCENDENCE as they create a dynamic atmosphere with improvised acapella.

Little Faces

Event, Starts Wednesday 17 June

This June we are having fun with feathered and furry friends. Join us as we look at Julian Meagher’s portrait of Richard Flanagan and his galah, Herb. Explore friendship together through sensory play, singing and making.

Virtual Highlight Tour

Power suits: The fit within the frame

Event, Tuesday 9 June

Join Visitor Experience Coordinator, Marina, live from the galleries, as she takes you through our newest collection exhibition Power suits: The fit within the frame.

50 Years of Deadly

First Nations (upper primary)

Event, Selected days from Tuesday 2 June

Shifting Ground and the National Portrait Gallery present a 45‑minute online session celebrating 50 Years of Deadly.

Art Break

Event, 12:30–1:00pm, every Thursday

Experience the joy and transformative power of slow looking. By taking your time with art, you can reconnect with the present, uncover hidden details and make personal discoveries.

National Reconciliation Week tours

Event, Daily from Wednesday 27 May

Join us for a free National Reconciliation Week highlights tour.

50 Years of Deadly

First Nations (lower primary)

Event, Selected days from Tuesday 2 June

Join the National Portrait Gallery for an engaging 30-minute online session where upper primary students explore the NAIDOC theme 50 Years of Deadly.

Brack x McKenna Creative Space

Event, Daily until Sunday 19 July

Explore people, place and postcards in John Brack x Noel McKenna: A Face in the mirror before creating your own postcard to send to a special person. Then pop it in our post box and we’ll send it for free!

James, Rebecca and Sam Mapu, 2021 James Tylor (collaborator), Craig Tuffin (collaborator) and Dr Elisa deCourcy (collaborator)

Virtual Highlight Tour

First Nation Portraits: 50 Years of Deadly

Event, Tuesday 30 June

Explore the power of First Nations people through portraiture with Education Delivery Officer, Sophia. She’ll highlight portraits from the collection that reflect this year’s NAIDOC theme, 50 Years of Deadly, celebrating strength, culture and enduring impact.

Sketchbook journal for the commission portrait

Virtual Highlight Tour

International Portrait Day!

Event, Tuesday 23 June

Join Marina, Visitor Experience Coordinator, live from the galleries, this International Portrait Day, as she explores collection highlights that showcase the rich diversity of representation in portraiture.

An Afternoon (Aunty Jenny Munro at the Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy)

Virtual Highlight Tour

Being Colour Curious

Event, Tuesday 16 June

Join Visitor Experience Assistant Samantha, as she invites the colour-curious to explore three brilliant Australian portraits through the lens of pigment and light.

Virtual Highlight Tour

Finer Details

Event, Tuesday 26 May

Join Visitor Experience Assistant, Kristina, as she takes a closer look at portraits in the collection, revealing the tiny, easily missed details that bring each work to life.

Visitors to the In Bloom exhibition, June 2025

Let me show you around

Welcome tour

Event, Daily at 1:00pm

Explore the Gallery with a team member as they share their current favourite portrait playlist with you.

The art of portraiture

Guided tour

Event, Daily at 11:00am and 2:00pm

Step into the Gallery where art is for everyone. Hear stories about the artists and their subjects, discover the possibilities of portraiture and consider what makes the artform so compelling.

Pop-up portraits

Mini-talk

Event, Daily at 10:30am and 12:30pm

Enjoy a mini-talk with a team member as they dive into an artwork or theme and bring it to life for you.

People viewing an artwork in the Gallery

Relaxed afternoon

Monthly on a Sunday

Event, Daily

Explore the Gallery at a gentle pace with quiet areas, sensory kits and creative activities for families to enjoy together.

25 results

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Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

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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