Events
September
Created with members in mind, our year-round program of events brings you more than 300 ways to experience art, culture and ideas. Enjoy talks and lectures, hands-on workshops, concerts and parties, special exhibition viewings, and tours to local and regional galleries – all with discounted tickets for members.
17 August – 21 September 2026, 10.30am – 1.30pm
Jessica Ashton teaches traditional portrait drawing techniques in a four-part course.
Art Appreciation: Madeleine Vionnet: the architect of couture - Thursday series
Thursday 17 September 2026, 1–2pm
Roger Leong discusses fashion innovator Madeleine Vionnet and her revolutionary bias-cut technique.
Sacred visions: Shinto and Zen Buddhism in Japan – Friday series
Friday 18 September 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Professor Droogan will uncover how Confucianism and Taoism religious philosophies have blended through time.
Sacred visions: Shinto and Zen Buddhism in Japan – Saturday series
Saturday 19 September 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Professor Droogan will uncover how Confucianism and Taoism religious philosophies have blended through time.
Travel talks: Splendour of the Pyrenees
Saturday 19 September 2026, 2–3pm
Steven Miller examines this cross-border cultural and geographic corridor spanning France, the Pyrenees and Catalonia.
Kids Club for 5–8 year olds (10.30am): We built this city
Sunday 20 September 2026, 10.30am – 12pm
In this workshop we’ll create a 3-D sculpture of a futuristic city.
Kids Club for 9–12 year olds (10.30am): We built this city
Sunday 20 September 2026, 10.30am – 12pm
In this workshop we’ll create a 3-D sculpture of a futuristic city.
Kids Club for 5–8 year olds (1.30pm): We built this city
Sunday 20 September 2026, 1.30–3pm
In this workshop we’ll create a 3-D sculpture of a futuristic city.
Art Appreciation: Mike Brown and the Australian avant-garde - Wednesday series
Wednesday 23 September 2026, 6–7pm
Dr Vincent Alessi explores the innovative and eclectic career of Australian artist Mike Brown.
Art Appreciation: Mike Brown and the Australian avant-garde - Thursday series
Thursday 24 September 2026, 1–2pm
Dr Vincent Alessi explores the innovative and eclectic career of Australian artist Mike Brown.
Sacred visions: Confucianism and Taoism – Friday series
Friday 25 September 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Professor Julian Droogan explores the visual arts and architecture of Japan.
Sacred visions: Confucianism and Taoism – Saturday series
Saturday 26 September 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Professor Julian Droogan explores the visual arts and architecture of Japan.
Travel talks: Art treasures of Madrid and Andalusia
Saturday 26 September 2026, 2–3pm
Lorraine Kypiotis travels to Andalusia and discover the distinctive architecture of Córdoba, Seville and Granada.
October
Family holiday workshop for 5–8 year olds with an adult: It’s a dog’s life
Tuesday 6, Thursday 8 October 2026, 10.30am
Explore the Gallery to discover artworks featuring dogs, then create a clay sculpture of a dog. For children and a grown-up.
Kids holiday workshop for 9–12 year olds: It’s a dog’s life
Tuesday 6, Thursday 8 October 2026, 1.30pm
Explore the Gallery to discover artworks featuring dogs, then create a clay sculpture of a dog.
Workshop: Unframed – Drawing with Jude Rae
13 October – 3 November 2026, 10.30am – 1.30pm
Led by artist Jude Rae, learn pencil drawing techniques covering construction, composition, tone and touch.
Art Appreciation: Lubaina Himid: artist and activist - Wednesday series
Wednesday 14 October 2026, 6–7pm
Emily Sullivan explores the influential career and cultural activism of British Black Arts Movement artist Lubaina Himid.
Art Appreciation: Lubaina Himid: artist and activist - Thursday series
Thursday 15 October 2026, 1–2pm
Emily Sullivan explores the influential career and cultural activism of British Black Arts Movement artist Lubaina Himid.
High tea and lecture: Storm in a teacup
Saturday 17 October 2026, 10.30am
Discover the history of tea in this talk, presented by Joyce Morgan, followed by a delicious sparkling high tea.
Critical ground: Global First Nations visual art dialogues – Full subscription
17-31 October, 2026
Join us for a three-part series where you’ll hear from Australian-based First Nations artists.
Critical ground: An introduction to local and global Indigenous art
Saturday 17 October 2026, 2pm
Erin Vink in conversation with artists Rolande Souliere, Salote Tawale and Thea Anamara Perkins.
Art Appreciation: Robert Smithson: desert art, downtown style - Wednesday series
Wednesday 21 October 2026, 6–7pm
Dr Chris McAuliffe examines Robert Smithson’s groundbreaking land art practice, including the iconic Spiral Jetty.
Creative concertina sketchbook
Monday 19 October 2026, 10.30am – 1pm
Jean Kropper teaches participants how to create a personalised concertina sketchbook.
Art Appreciation: Robert Smithson: desert art, downtown style - Thursday series
Thursday 22 October 2026, 1–2pm
Dr Chris McAuliffe examines Robert Smithson’s groundbreaking land art practice, including the iconic Spiral Jetty.
Critical ground: Rethinking place and colonial spaces
Saturday 24 October 2026, 2pm
Erin Vink in conversation with artists Billy Bain, Daniel Boyd and Danie Mellor.
Art Appreciation: Harold Cohen and AARON - Wednesday series
Wednesday 28 October 2026, 6–7pm
Dr Jessica Priebe explores Harold Cohen’s pioneering contribution to computer-generated art and the development of AARON.
Art Appreciation: Harold Cohen and AARON - Thursday series
Thursday 29 October 2026, 1–2pm
Dr Jessica Priebe explores Harold Cohen’s pioneering contribution to computer-generated art and the development of AARON.
Intermediate calligraphy workshop
Friday 30 October 2026, 10.30am
Build confidence and fluency with the brush as you continue to develop your calligraphy practice with Xueyi Bai .
30 October – 20 November 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
In this four-part lecture series explore how throughout history, rebels, outlaws and nonconformists.
31 October – 21 November 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
In this four-part lecture series explore how throughout history, rebels, outlaws and nonconformists.
Rebels with a cause: Unruly women: rebels, martyrs and outlaws in art – Friday series
Friday 23 October 2026, 10.30am
Dr Jessica Priebe explores how artists have depicted women who challenge convention.
Rebels with a cause: Unruly women: rebels, martyrs and outlaws in art – Saturday series
Saturday 24 October 2026, 10.30am
Dr Jessica Priebe explores how artists have depicted women who challenge convention.
Rebels with a cause: Negative exposure: rebels in photography – Friday series
Friday 30 October 2026, 10.30am
Tony Maniaty discusses photography’s instrumental role in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the spirit of rebellion.
Rebels with a cause: Negative exposure: rebels in photography – Saturday series
Saturday 31 October 2026, 10.30am
Tony Maniaty discusses photography’s instrumental role in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the spirit of rebellion.
Critical ground: Sonic returns: Indigenous knowledge in sound art
Saturday 31 October 2026, 2pm
Erin Vink in conversation with artists Sonya Holowell and Dr Adriana Mahanga Lear.
Online lectures
Art Appreciation 2026 online - Term 2
3 June – 25 November 2026
Term 2 lectures of the Art Appreciation 2026 online lectures.
Head to toe: exploring timeless fashion and accessories online - Full series
31 July – 13 November 2026
Discover the stories behind your favourite fashion items in this lecture series with Claudia Chan Shaw online.
Art Appreciation 2026 online - Term 3
23 September 2026 – 3 March 2027
Term 3 lectures of the Art Appreciation 2026 online lectures.
Sacred visions: religious arts of Asia online – Full series
25 September 2026 – 8 January 2027
Professor Julian Droogan explores Asian religious traditions through art, architecture, stories and cultural objects in this online series
Rebels with a cause: breaking the rules of art, photography, fashion and film online – Full series
13 November 2026 – 5 March 2027
In this four-part lecture series online explore how throughout history, rebels, outlaws and nonconformists.
Members exclusive events
Members' Early Access
Early access is available exclusively to members. To attend, please ensure you have booked your exhibition ticket in advance.
All members can purchase discounted member tickets or you can use your complimentary tickets included in your membership.
Please note that Early Access is reserved exclusively for members. Members are welcome to attend with their guests during public viewing times.
Exclusive exhibition tour for members | Avatar: Forms of Vishnu
2–4 October 2026
Join our guides for an exclusive free member tour of the 'Avatar: Forms of Vishnu' in the final weekend of the exhibition.
Exclusive members access | Nolan: Origins
Saturday 10 October 2026, 9–10am | Enjoy member’s only exclusive access to 'Nolan: Origins'.
Exclusive members access | Takashi Murakami: When the Mountain Is High, the Moon Rises Higher
Sunday 6 December 2026, 9–10am | Enjoy member's only exclusive access to 'Takashi Murakami: When the Mountain Is High, the Moon Rises Higher'.
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