The National Portrait Gallery will be closed from 23 April until late-August 2019 while the building is under renovation.
When the closure was first announced last year the gallery issued a statement saying, “The need to undertake repairs reflects issues that have emerged with the building over a long period of time, some stemming from the original construction and others that have been progressively identified since the gallery has been operational.”
While the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra is being renovated several NPG exhibitions are touring Australia. “We may be closed but we are certainly not taking a break,” explains Karen Quinlan, director of the NPG. “We are off on an adventure around Australia – so if you cannot come to us, we are going to try and come to you.”
“Our favourite touring exhibitions will continue and during the closure our Access and Learning team will accompany the exhibitions to present tailored community and school programs around the country. In addition to this, our videographer will be on the road with the touring shows, meeting people at regional art galleries throughout Australia, recording interviews and creating new mini documentaries. These will be featured regularly on our website and social media channels.”
The NPG will also stage ICONS, an exhibition of contemporary photographic portraits from the collection, at Parliament House from mid-August.
For a full list of National Portrait Gallery exhibitions and events being held during the closure visit the NPG website.
In mid-September, after the gallery reopens, Quinlan will announce her exhibition program for 2020.
The National Portrait Gallery is open during the Easter holidays.
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