Media

National Museum’s AE Smith collection with Canberra Symphony Orchestra
A remarkable collection of stringed instruments made by Australia’s preeminent violin maker Arthur Edward Smith will be played for the first time in decades at a one-off performance by musicians from the Canberra Symphony Orchestra (CSO) at the National Museum of Australia.

Kate Fielding joins National Museum of Australia Council
The National Museum of Australia in Canberra has welcomed the appointment of prominent arts and culture leader Kate Fielding to the organisation’s Council for a three-year term.

Blockbuster exhibition recreates final days of Pompeii
The catastrophic volcanic eruption that destroyed Pompeii almost 2,000 years ago will immerse visitors in the famous city’s last moments as part of a powerful multisensory and first-of-its-kind blockbuster exhibition coming to the National Museum of Australia in Canberra this December.

Record number of visitors flock to Museum for Egypt blockbuster
The National Museum of Australia’s exhibition on the wonders of ancient Egypt has smashed all records for previous hit shows, with almost 200,000 visits, making it the biggest blockbuster in the Museum’s 23-year history.

Museum welcomes Professor Clare Wright as new Council Chair
The National Museum of Australia has welcomed the appointment of Professor Clare Wright OAM as the next Chair of the Museum Council, as well as Professor Ann McGrath, Professor Megan Davis and Janine Freeman as new Council members.

Tony Armstrong’s Extra-Ordinary Things exhibition opens in Canberra
A vintage ute, a novelty cheque, an elite boxing trophy and an unforgettable letter from then Prime Minister Bob Hawke are among the seemingly ordinary objects showcased in an exhibition based on the ABC’s television series Tony Armstrong’s Extra-Ordinary Things, which has opened at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.

First Nations picture book, How Mother Kangaroo Got Her Pouch, launched in Canberra
A First Nations story about how the iconic Australian kangaroo acquired her pouch is the subject of a delightful new children’s book, How Mother Kangaroo Got Her Pouch by Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi woman, debut author and artist Rebecca Beetson, launched by the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.

A new wave of Olympic sports rides into the National Museum of Australia
The youth-focused sports and disciplines of 3x3 basketball, BMX freestyle, breaking, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing feature in a new exhibition, Riding the Olympic Wave: Breakthrough Sports, at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.

Mr Squiggle has landed at the National Museum of Australia
The beloved children’s television puppet Mr Squiggle, and his friends Blackboard, Rocket, Bill Steamshovel and Gus the Snail, have landed in Canberra after being acquired by the National Museum of Australia.

Return of the Gweagal Spears to the La Perouse Aboriginal Community
Today, in a ceremony held in the Wren Library at Trinity College Cambridge, four spears taken by James Cook and Joseph Banks on 29 April 1770 were permanently repatriated to the La Perouse Aboriginal Community.

National Museum and ABC collaborate on new exhibition
The National Museum of Australia will showcase a selection of objects chosen by ABC personality Tony Armstrong for his new five-part series Tony Armstrong’s Extra-Ordinary Things, which will be broadcast from next month on ABC TV and ABC iview.

Indigenous Encounters Fellows announced for international program
Six Indigenous cultural workers will embark on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at leading cultural institutions in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, as part of the National Museum of Australia’s Encounters Fellowship Program for 2024.