Education
Introduction | Programs | Visits+Bookings | Online Resources | Accessibility | Risk Assesment
Visits & bookings
Sydney Nolan Ned Kelly 1946 enamel on composition board Collection of the National Gallery of Australia Gift of Sunday Reed 1977 more detail
The Gallery offers a range of tours, talks and lectures covering a range of topics relating to the Gallery's collections and exhibtions including art and design history, architecture, literature and history.
Guided tours of the permanent collection, special exhibitions and the Sculpture Garden are available on request and are free of charge. Groups can also self-guide using the free audio tour of the collection available at the front desk in the Gallery foyer; audio tours are also available for special exhibitions at a nominal cost. For more information, call the Education Office on +61 2 6240 6519 or email groupbookings@nga.gov.au.
The special tours and lectures related to exhibtions are aimed at a various audiences check the listing below or go to Whats On for more information.
- Booking form (29k PDF) or (1.1 Mb RTF)
- Risk Assesment Form
Scheduled tours by voluntary guides
The following free tours of the collection and special exhibitions are conducted by voluntary guides and are scheduled every day except Christmas Day:
- Australian and international art 11.00am and 2.00pm (AEST) daily
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art 11.00am and 2.00pm (AEST) Thursdays and Sundays
- Special exhibitions 10.30am and 1.30pm (AEST) daily (exhibition ticket required)
Tours are of approximately one hour's duration.
Booked group tours
Groups can book any of the following tours:
- Early childhood tours are 30–45 minute tours of the Gallery specially designed for young children are conducted by trained voluntary guides, and Gallery Educators when requested;
- Learning to look discovery tours introduce students to works of art and their context through a 45–60 minute discussion (conducted by voluntary guides and recommended for upper primary school students);
- Visual art in context discussion tours take 45–60 minutes and can be tailored to a theme of your choice and/or linked to study areas ( conducted by Gallery educators and recommended for secondary school students);
- Special access tours for groups with special needs and abilities;
- Special interest group tours for community groups, clubs and societies, conferences and VIPs;
- Self-guided tours groups can pick up a free audio tour of the collection at the information desk in the Gallery foyer. We recommend all groups book with the Gallery, even if you choose to self-guide.
Schools can book groups in to the Gallery from 9.30am (AEST) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. A minimum of one supervising adult to 15–20 students is required for school group tours, with the ratio of one adult to six children in early childhood tours. Entry is free to the collection and to special exhibitions for booked groups and students aged 16 and under.
Booked tours require at least two weeks notice. Please contact us about your visit even if a coach or tour company is organising your excursion. The return of our Confirmation of Education Service form will ensure you receive the service you require. Please contact us promptly if your plans change.
Specialised tours
Tours of Australian and International art can be arranged in languages other than English, (French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Norwegian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Swedish, Korean), and guided tours may be included in private bookings for a fee. Email education@nga.gov.au or phone +61 2 6240 6588 for more information about specialised tours.
Please note that all hire of Gallery spaces is subject to availability, as negotiated with the Events Coordinator on +61 2 6240 6711. For more information go to Hire of Gallery Spaces on this site.
For group bookings contact
email GroupBookings@nga.gov.au OR Download
- Booking form (29k PDF) or (1.1 Mb RTF)
- Risk Assesment Form
phone +61 2 6240 6519
fax: +61 2 6240 6560
Education Section
National Gallery of Australia
GPO Box 1150
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia
The information you are asked to provide to the Gallery is personal information and is protected by the Privacy Act 1988. The Gallery collects your personal information to maintain/manage your application for a Group Booking. The Gallery will not disclose this information to other parties other than in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988.