Skip to main content

What's on

Prizes

Watch

The Gallery

Governance & Board

Circle of Friends

Learn

Access

Search the website

close close

What's on The Portraits The Gallery Learn Watch More O

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.

Search /

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2025 exhibition display

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026

Upcoming exhibition

The National Photographic Portrait Prize 2026 marks the end of one of the Gallery’s longest-running exhibitions.

Dr Joseph Brown with Two Typists

John Brack x Noel McKenna

A face in the mirror

Upcoming exhibition

John Brack x Noel McKenna: A face in the mirror brings together the work of two influential Australian artists.

Boxing for Palm Island (Selwyn), 2010 photo by Hamish Cairns

Fighting Spirit

The Art of Boxing

Touring exhibition, 2026

Fighting Spirit: The Art of Boxing is the story of boxing in Australia told through art and screen.

Cathy Freeman meeting Kaylene Whiskey

Kaylene Whiskey’s portrait of Cathy Freeman

Kaylene Whiskey’s portrait of Cathy Freeman winning Gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics to become part of the National Portrait Collection. Specially commissioned for the current survey exhibition Super Kaylene Whiskey, the three-panelled series depicts Cathy Freeman AC as she lights the torch, runs and wins Gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Super Cathy

Heroes on Country

First Nations (upper primary)

Event, Selected days until Thursday 21 May

Discover portraits of and by First Nations people and explore the rich cultural perspectives of storytelling through art.

Little Faces

Little Faces

Event, Selected days from Wednesday 18 March

Join us as we look at Samuel Hodge’s portrait of Romance Was Born designers and friends Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales. Explore colour, texture and luminosity through sensory play, water colour painting and paper craft.

Kaylene Whiskey

Enlighten 2026

Queens of the Desert

Event, Daily until Monday 9 March

Enlighten returns to Canberra from 27 February – 9 March 2026, lighting up the nation’s capital with 12 nights of culture and creativity.

People drawing at easels in the Gordon Darling Hall

Drawn In

Event, Sunday 22 March

Draw while listening to Robyn Mellor’s BlockSounds recorder ensemble, as they showcase a range of music from the Renaissance to the 21st century.

David Moore, Corio, Victoria

Virtual Highlight Tour

Something Moore

Event, Tuesday 3 March

Join Education Delivery Officer, Sophia, as she explores the National Portrait Gallery’s collection of photographs by David Moore.

People viewing an artwork in the Gallery

Relaxed afternoon

Monthly on a Sunday

Event, Selected days from Sunday 15 March

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

Oodgeroo Noonuccal at Moongalba Stradbroke Island (her sitting down place)1982

Virtual Highlight Tour

Women beyond the frame

Event, Tuesday 17 March

Celebrate Women’s History Month with Learning Facilitator, Sally, as she dives into the portraits and stories of pioneering women.

Tina

Virtual Highlight Tour

Shades of storytelling

Event, Tuesday 10 March

Join Education Delivery Officer, Sami, as she explores the power of black‑and‑white photographic portraits and the stories they hold.

In Bloom, Gallery 6, May 2025

Virtual Highlight Tour

Event, Tuesday 24 March

Join us for a lively discussion, as three of our Access and Learning team members choose a portrait to surprise each other and us!

A child drawing at a yellow table

Art Cart

Event, Daily until Thursday 2 April

Inspired by our new video portrait of the CommBank Matildas by artist Angela Tiatia, create your own football trading card just like your favourite sports star.

Children playing soccer outside the National Portrait Gallery

Matildas: Game Face

Event, Daily until 31 Mar

Celebrate our new commissioned portrait of the CommBank Matildas by artist Angela Tiatia.

In Bloom exhibition, May 2025

Virtual Highlight Tour

Exhibition Outro: In Bloom

Event, Tuesday 31 March

Join Visitor Experience Coordinator, Marina, for a final virtual tour of our In Bloom exhibition.

© National Portrait Gallery 2026
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