Friends program

Join curator Peter Thorley for a detailed tour of this wonderful exhibition of contemporary paintings and sculptures that document a new art movement emerging from the Western Desert community of Warakurna. 

Cost: $12, $8 Friends (includes refreshments)
Bookings essential by email friends@nma.gov.au or phone (02) 6208 5048 (business hours)
First Australians Focus Gallery

The Museum continues its art workshops for adults with a disability. These regular workshops explore the exhibitions and themes in the Museum with art and creative crafts and are facilitated by artist Ali Aedy. 

Pink silk tango shoes

See these and other fashionable footwear of the era in our Glorious Days: Australia 1913 exhibition. Then have fun revamping old pairs of shoes using a variety of materials.

Cost: Adults (16 years and over) $10, $5 Friends
Bookings essential by email bookings@nma.gov.au or phone (02) 6208 5021 (business hours)
Meet at the Information Desk

If you are deaf, hearing or speech impaired you can call the Museum through the National Relay Service: TTY 1800 555 677; Speak and Listen 1800 555 727; Internet relay and please request 1800 026 132.

View more information about our access programs

Image: Pink tango shoes. Springfield – Faithfull family collection. Photo: Jason McCarthy.

CANCELLED

Come and be a star of the silver screen as we make a silent film inspired by our Glorious Days exhibition. Suitable for children aged 8–14.

Cost: $40, $20 Friends
Bookings essential by email bookings@nma.gov.au or phone (02) 6208 5021 (business hours)
Meet at the Information Desk

FULLY BOOKED

Join leading Canberra historian Matthew Higgins as he tells a grand story of adventure and discovery by three young men working in Australia's rugged mountain country.

Percy Sheaffe, Harry Mouat and Freddie Johnston were the key surveyors to mark the national capital and its surrounding territory, and two of these men are commemorated by name in modern Canberra. Their survey marks have survived bushfire and bulldozers and are important heritage sites that directly link to the very birth of the Australian Capital Territory. 

Free
Bookings essential by email bookings@nma.gov.au or phone (02) 6208 5021 (business hours)
Visions Theatre

Revel in the festivities of a country fair from yesteryear. Take a tango dance lesson, learn old-style handicrafts, check out the skaters from Canberra Roller Derby, enjoy the entertainment from the Royal Australian Navy Band or ride on a carousel. Kids can have fun with 1913-inspired play and craft activities. A glorious day out for all!

Cost: $10 adult, $8 concession, $5 child, $22 family, Friends half-price
(includes entry to the Glorious Days exhibition)
Garden of Australian Dreams

More on the 1913 Country Fair

Step back in time and create costume accessories from 1913. Add a modern twist to your design — then strike a pose for a ‘vintage’ photo.

Free
Monday to Friday 15–19 and 22–26 April, 10am – 1pm
The Hall

More on bunting, badges and bowties in our Discovery Space

Image: Top hat. Springfield – Faithfull family collection. Photo: Katie Shanahan.

Friends program

Art and craft activities especially for pre-school aged children and their grandparents

Cost: $10 Family, $5 Friends (includes refreshments)
Bookings essential by email friends@nma.gov.au or phone (02) 6208 5048 (business hours)
Biami Room 

Step back in time and create costume accessories from 1913. Add a modern twist to your design — then strike a pose for a ‘vintage’ photo.

Free
Monday to Friday 15–19 and 22–26 April, 10am – 1pm
The Hall

More on bunting, badges and bowties in our Discovery Space

Step back in time and create costume accessories from 1913. Add a modern twist to your design — then strike a pose for a ‘vintage’ photo.

Free
Monday to Friday 15–19 and 22–26 April, 10am – 1pm
The Hall

More on bunting, badges and bowties in our Discovery Space

Image: Top hat. Springfield – Faithfull family collection. Photo: Katie Shanahan.

Step back in time and create costume accessories from 1913. Add a modern twist to your design — then strike a pose for a ‘vintage’ photo.

Free
Monday to Friday 15–19 and 22–26 April, 10am – 1pm
The Hall

More on bunting, badges and bowties in our Discovery Space

Step back in time and create costume accessories from 1913. Add a modern twist to your design — then strike a pose for a ‘vintage’ photo.

Free
Monday to Friday 15–19 and 22–26 April, 10am – 1pm
The Hall

More on bunting, badges and bowties in our Discovery Space

Image: Top hat. Springfield – Faithfull family collection. Photo: Katie Shanahan.

Friends program

Prominent women talk about their lives, work and passions. This month we welcome Rev. Karen Kime, first female Aboriginal archdeacon in the Anglican Church in Australia.

Cost: $10, $5 Friends (includes refreshments)
Bookings essential by email friends@nma.gov.au or phone (02) 6208 5048 (business hours)
Friends Lounge

Step back in time and create costume accessories from 1913. Add a modern twist to your design — then strike a pose for a ‘vintage’ photo.

Free
Monday to Friday 15–19 and 22–26 April, 10am – 1pm
The Hall

More on bunting, badges and bowties in our Discovery Space

Step back in time and create costume accessories from 1913. Add a modern twist to your design — then strike a pose for a ‘vintage’ photo.

Free
Monday to Friday 15–19 and 22–26 April, 10am – 1pm
The Hall

More on bunting, badges and bowties in our Discovery Space

Image: Top hat. Springfield – Faithfull family collection. Photo: Katie Shanahan.

Step back in time and create costume accessories from 1913. Add a modern twist to your design — then strike a pose for a ‘vintage’ photo.

Free
Monday to Friday 15–19 and 22–26 April, 10am – 1pm
The Hall

More on bunting, badges and bowties in our Discovery Space

Step back in time and create costume accessories from 1913. Add a modern twist to your design — then strike a pose for a ‘vintage’ photo.

Free
Monday to Friday 15–19 and 22–26 April, 10am – 1pm
The Hall

More on bunting, badges and bowties in our Discovery Space

Image: Top hat. Springfield – Faithfull family collection. Photo: Katie Shanahan.

Step back in time and create costume accessories from 1913. Add a modern twist to your design — then strike a pose for a ‘vintage’ photo.

Free
Monday to Friday 15–19 and 22–26 April, 10am – 1pm
The Hall

More on bunting, badges and bowties in our Discovery Space

Join our guides, Ernest and Catherine, wearing period costumes, as they share the history of Acton Peninsula on a one-hour walking tour. 

Cost: Adults $10, Concession $8 
Numbers per tour are limited. Bookings essential by email bookings@nma.gov.au or telephone (02) 6208 5021.
Group bookings can be made by arrangement.
Please telephone (02) 6208 5021 to discuss your requirements.

Tour information

We recommend you wear comfortable shoes on this outdoor tour. Our tours are conducted at an easy pace, however participants must be fit to walk and stand for an hour. If you have any special needs please advise us at the time of booking. The tour may be cancelled in the event of severe weather and refunds or transfers will be made available.

Friends program

Curator Max Dingle hosts a tour of the Margaret Dredge Retrospective followed by a tour of his personal house and gardens that includes a collection of some 250 paintings and sculptures.

Cost: $70 Friends
For details contact the Friends office by email friends@nma.gov.au or phone (02) 6208 5048 (business hours)
Meet at the Museum

Inspired by our Glorious Days: Australia 1913 exhibition, this lecture series explores what was happening in Australia 100 years ago. 

Join Andrew Sayers, the Director of the National Museum, as he highlights the new directions being explored by Australian artists a century ago, and discusses the significance of their work. This lecture will examine the important artists of the day – many of whom are little-known today – the role of arts and crafts in 1913 society, and Australian reactions to the new art movements in Europe.

Free
Bookings essential by email bookings@nma.gov.au or phone (02) 6208 5021 (business hours)
Visions Theatre

This eight-part series continues through to October 2013 while Glorious Days is on show.