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Past exhibitions

A New Horizon
September 2011 - January 2012
A powerful and important exhibition of contemporary Chinese art from the National Art Museum of China.
Not Just Ned: A true history of the Irish in Australia
March 2011 - July 2011
About the history and extraordinary influence of the Irish in Australia, from the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, to the present. Includes personal reflections of Irish migrants, video and audio programs.
Behind the Lines 2010
December 2010 - October 2011
Celebrated the wit and artistry of our established and well-loved political cartoonists as well as recognising the talents and stylistic variety of a new generation.
Exploration and Endeavour exhibition
September 2010 - February 2011
Celebrated the 350th anniversary of the Royal Society and brought together unique treasures associated with voyages of scientific discovery to the South Seas.
Behind the Lines 2009 exhibition
December 2009 to 31 January 2010
This exhibition featured a selection of some of the best Australian political cartoons published in 2009.
Water exhibition
December 2009 - May 2010
Water: H20=Life exhibition analysed the natural and cultural sides of the fluid that underpins life on earth. It offered a global perspective on water including Australia's water story. Developed by the American Museum of Natural History. Includes online education resources.
A Fine Yarn exhibition
July 2009 - November 2009
This exhibition examined the fine wool industry in Australia today, while recognising the importance of wool in its social and economic history.
Vaka Moana exhibition
June 2009 - October 2009
Vaka Moana traced the dramatic story of one of the largest human migrations of all time across one third of the planet - the voyages of Pacific Islanders across the Pacific Ocean. An exhibition developed by Te Papa.
Recoil exhibition
November 2008 - June 2009
Explored the way the coiled basketry technique diversified, establishing new fibre movements in a range of remote Aboriginal communities.
Darwin exhibition
December 2008 to March 2009
Detailed the life and work of Charles Darwin. The concurrent Darwin and Australia exhibition looked at Darwin's experiences during his short but important visit to Australia in early 1836. From the American Museum of Natural History.
Behind the Lines 2008 exhibition
December 2008 to 1 February 2009
This exhibition featured a selection of the best Australian political cartoons sourced throughout the year.
Utopia exhibition
August 2008 - October 2008
The exhibition tells the story of Emily Kame Kngwarreye as one of Australia's greatest contemporary artists. Includes audio programs, photo galleries and installation video.
Australia's Greek cafe exhibition
July 2008 - November 2008
A photographic exhibition that explored the key role that Greek Australians played during the formative years of Australian culture.
Behind the Lines 2007 exhibition
December 2007 - February 2008
The cartoons in this exhibition represented the best of our latest set of acquisitions from artists around Australia including Alan Moir, Bill Leak, Cathy Wilcox, Geoff Pryor, John Spooner and Mark Knight.
Papunya Painting: out of the desert exhibition
November 2007 - February 2008
This exhibition highlighted the National Museum's extraordinary collection of Western Desert art. The online exhibition includes a gallery of the works, biographies of the artists and stories of land, history and culture. Resources include audio programs and activities for children.
Migration Memories exhibition
September 2007 - November 2007
Explored the migration stories of people from diverse backgrounds who now call the distinctively different regional centres of Lightning Ridge and Robinvale home.
70% Urban
March 2007 - March 2008
Drew on the Museum's collection to explore Indigenous culture in the city. Check out the 'Who you callin' urban?' video online or just read the transcript.
Miss Australia: A Nation's Quest exhibition
March 2007 to June 2007
This exhibition traced the history of the Miss Australia quest from 1907, through to its final year in 2000. Resources include an image gallery of winners and an education kit.
Collector Cam King exhibition
January 2007 - February 2007
A selection of Brian and Barbara Lynch's old grocery wares and toys were displayed when they won the Collector Cam competition run by ABC Television's Collectors.
Behind the Lines 2006 exhibition
December 2006 - March 2007
The items in this exhibition represented the best of our 2006 acquisitions from cartoonists around Australia. Cartoons from major city newspapers were represented along with examples from regional publications.
Beaded Links
August 2006 - February 2007
Beaded Links showcased the creative uses of beads across Commonwealth nations over many centuries.
Dhari a Krar exhibition
July 2006 - July 2011
Dhari a Krar: Headdresses and Masks from the Torres Strait brought together a diverse collection of masks, headdresses and dance objects from the Torres Strait.
Life in the Pacific exhibition
July 2006 - September 2006
A documentary photographic exhibition that featured 80 works by students from Pacific Island communities. A small selection is available online.
Exiles and Emigrants exhibition
April 2006 - June 2006
Traced epic journeys from the United Kingdom to Australia in the Victorian era. Limited material available online.
Alt tag: A summer of cricket
March 2006 - June 2006
A Summer of Cricket captured the spirit of cricket as it has been played and watched by generations of Australians. Test your knowledge of cricketing terms and try the online interactives.
Captivating and Curious exhibition
Dec 2005 to March 2006
Displayed the National Museum's rich and varied collection, with new acquisitions and old favourites from the National Historical Collection.
Behind the Lines 2004 exhibition
March 2005 - June 2005
This exhibition is a selection of the best works entered in the 2004 competition.
Royal Romance exhibition
February 2004 - October 2004
Royal Romance examined Australia's passionate response to Queen Elizabeth II's first visit in 1954, and whether the nation has fallen out of love since. See the detailed online exhibition.
Behind the Lines 2003 exhibition
May 2004 - June 2004
Behind the Lines: The Year's Best Cartoons brought together a selection of the best works entered in the National Museum of Australia's 2003 Political Cartooning Competition.