New exhibitions at the National Museum and beyond

BEHIND THE LINES: THE YEAR'S BEST CARTOONS
until 24 February 2008

The popular annual survey of political cartooning, Behind the Lines 2007: The Year's Best Cartoons returns with a broad selection of cartoons tracking the twists and turns of Australian political life throughout 2007.

> Visit the online exhibition

70% URBAN
until 10 March 2008

A new National Museum exhibition exploring the growth of a dynamic urban indigenous culture across Australia. 70% Urban features work from artists including Ian Abdulla, Lin and Bill Onus, Albert Namatjira and Jack Wherra. The exhibition shows how indigenous people have drawn on new materials and ideas to assert their identity as a response to increasing urbanisation.

> Visit the online exhibition

1967 REFERENDUM
until 10 March 2008

In May 1967 more than 90 per cent of Australians voted to remove references in the Australian constitution which discriminated against Aboriginal people. The result remains the highest 'yes' vote in an Australian referendum, and became a symbolic turning point in Australia's history of black-white relations. The 1967 Referendum display marks the 40th anniversary of this important vote. It sets the record straight on the facts and the myths about the referendum and remembers some of the activists involved in achieving these changes.

> Visit the online exhibition

KNGWARREYE EXHIBITIONS OPENS IN OSAKA

A major exhibition of the work of Aboriginal artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye has been developed by the National Museum of Australia for display in Japan.

Utopia: the Genius of Emily Kame Kngwarreye tells the story of one of Australia's greatest contemporary artists. The exhibition is the largest collection of works by a single Australian artist to tour overseas. It includes 120 works by Emily Kngwarreye from more than 60 national and overseas collections and is valued at more than $30 million dollars.

The exhibition has been made possible with the support of the Australian Government, Yomiuri Shimbun, the Australia-Japan Foundation and Woodside.

Exhibition opens in Japan in February 2008 and will display at the following venues:

Japan:
National Museum of Art, Osaka, 26 February – 13 April 2008
National Art Centre, Tokyo, 28 May – 28 July 2008

Australia:
National Museum of Australia, Canberra, August 2008

LEAGUE OF LEGENDS: 100 YEARS OF RUGBY LEAGUE IN AUSTRALIA

Celebrate the centenary of Rugby League in 2008 with this new National Museum of Australia exhibition. Explore the history of the game since its inception in Australia, reviewing major milestones and events throughout its history.

See iconic trophies and treasures of the game and enter the locker room to learn about changes in technology. Hear from the fans and the people who've played and called the game.

This exhibition will be on show at the National Museum in Canberra from: 8 March 2008 to 11 May 2008

It is also travelling to the following locations:

Queensland: Queensland Museum, Brisbane, early June to early August 2008

New South Wales: Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, early September to late November 2008

Queensland: Museum of Tropical Queensland, Townsville, mid December 2008 to March 2009

Victoria: National Sport Museum, Melbourne, April – July 2009

A travelling exhibition developed and presented by the National Museum of Australia. Partner – Official exhibition of the Centenary of Rugby League.

MISS AUSTRALIA: A NATION'S QUEST

This exhibition explores the glamour and the golden years of the Miss Australia Quest, through to its end in 2000. Miss Australia looks at the changing face of charity and the notion of ideal Australian womanhood.

Victoria: Melbourne Museum, until 6 April 2008

BETWEEN THE FLAGS

The iconic imagery of the bronzed surf lifesaver and the joys and dangers of the beach are explored in this exhibition, celebrating 100 years of surf lifesaving in Australia.

West Australia: Western Australian Museum, Perth, until March 2008

IN SEARCH OF THE BIRDSVILLE TRACK: AN ARTIST IN THE OUTBACK

This exhibition features works from the National Museum of Australia's collection donated by Noelle Sandwith. Through Noelle's sketches and writings, the exhibition captures the unique environment, the characters and the lifestyles of this quintessentially Australian experience.

New South Wales: Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, Bathurst,
May – June 2008

NED KELLY: FACT AND FICTION

Examines the story of Ned Kelly – seen by some as a national hero – and by others as a criminal who met a just end.

New South Wales:
The 'Willows' Museum, Jerilderie, 2 February – 31 March 2008
Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information Centre, May – July 2008
Eden Killer Whale Museum, 30 August – 16 November 2008

ALL ABOARD! 150 YEARS OF RAIL

Celebrates the story of Australia's railways, and the people who built, worked and rode on them.

New South Wales:
Port Macquarie-Hastings Library, 1 February – 29 February 2008
George Hanna Memorial Museum, Botany Bay, 14 March – 9 May 2008