March: What's on at the Museum of Australian Democracy
Be surprised, be delighted, be entertained
Enlighten 2017 at Old Parliament House
Be part of something big at Enlighten...
Take part in our latest King’s Hall installation For the Record #HansART, a fresh, out-of-the-box way to add your voice to the conversation.
For the Record #HansART is an all ages, installation project that shines a light on the records of Hansard. Bring your sense of creativity and curiosity to King’s Hall as you rearrange, remix and reframe the written word to craft your own record.
With late night openings, you can explore the galleries and chambers, see the best political cartoons of 2016 at Behind the Lines or escape the crowds with the kids for a fun time-out in PLAY UP.
For opening hours and event details, check out the website ›
New exhibition
onetoeight: Australia's first prime ministers - now open
Visually arresting, humorous and thoughtful, Canberra-based artist Alison Alder reinterprets and reinvigorates portraits of the first eight prime ministers in onetoeight, a contemporary art exhibition.
Through the portraits, intense patterned wallpaper honouring the prime minister’s wives and a Term-O-Meter animation tracking the changing political hues of individuals and governments, Alder gives us a sense of our nation’s history that is lively, dynamic and parallels the present day.
Upcoming events
World's Biggest Playgroup!
Get ready for a world of fun at the World’s Biggest Playgroup, a family event held at the Museum of Australian Democracy. Run by ACT Playgroups, the World’s Biggest Playgroup will feature a variety of playful, hands-on activities for babies to five-year olds.
Celebrate with music, singing, art, craft and outdoor play. There is more to explore inside the museum too, including PLAY UP, a space curated for, with and by children. Free after entry.
When: Wednesday 29 March, 9:30am - 11:30am, Old Parliament House.
Mystery Tour: Daring Dames
Looking for a unique way to celebrate International Women's Day next week?
Join one of our mystery tours, to hear about the women who changed Federal Parliament forever, from the toilets to the Whip's Office.
You'll discover that truth is stranger than fiction when it comes to working conditions for women in offices in mid-twentieth century Australia.
Time: 10:30am and 2:30pm daily
Last chance to see Memories of the Struggle
This exhibition features the voices and memories of some of the Australians and South African expatriates who worked hard over decades to bring about the end of apartheid.
Come see this moving exhibition before it closes.
Closes: 5pm Sunday 19 March
Read more about this exhibition ›
Sunday Crafternoons: One Million Stars to End Violence
Join us on the last Sunday of every month for a special Crafternoon.
These craft sessions are helping an important cause... One Million Stars to End Violence is a peaceful global weaving project that engages communities in a conversation about ending all forms of violence.
We're committed to weaving 10,000 stars and will run a series of free Sunday craft sessions each month between February and July 2017, all welcome.
Next crafternoon: Sunday 26 March
The Great Easter Egg Trail
We are egg-cited to announce The Great Easter Egg Trail returns in 2017!
We are busy donning bunny ears, creating new and egg-citing clues, mapping out trails, packing chocolate treats, gathering prizes and inviting our favourite children’s entertainers to come and join us.
Round-up your kids, nieces, nephews, grandkids and neighbours alike and pencil in this fun family outing for Easter Sunday.
When: Easter Sunday, 16 April 9am
Stop the press!
A message to all our ziners and self-publishing fans.
From Monday 6 March, the Zine Lounge will be closed, making this weekend the perfect time to visit.
Inside scoop - news just in, unconfirmed sources have indicated plans to create a dedicated space for young people later in the year.
Stay tuned as the story unfolds…
Behind the Lines is on the road!
A travelling version of Behind the Lines 2016 political cartoons is touring Australia! Laugh, cry and cringe at the political year that was...
Where to next:
Grafton Regional Gallery: 20 March 2017 – 8 May 2017
From the collection
Keating and Hawke portraits have a new home
Loaned by the Australian Labor party and recently gifted as permanent items to the museum, these two stunning portraits featuring Bob Hawke and Paul Keating are a welcome addition to our collection.
Both paintings can now be kept and cared for, and occasionally displayed, for all Australians, and they are examples of significant work by two distinguished Australian artists.
Historian Libby Stewart takes a closer look at the two artworks ›
The breastplate of Charley, King of Burran
This breastplate presented to Charley, King of Burran, documents one man’s life-or-death decision on Australia’s pastoral frontier.
King Charley may not have been a real monarch, but he was a real person who faced routine terror with pragmatic heroism. His breastplate documents his efforts to adapt to his rapidly changing world.
Read Charley's story in our Designing Democracy gallery or on the blog here ›
From the blog
A lively, dynamic time with parallels to our own
In a new exhibition that opened this week, Canberra-based artist Alison Alder reinterprets and reinvigorates portraits of Australia’s first eight prime ministers. In this contemporary art project Alder interprets a dramatic time of change in our history that was lively, dynamic … and with parallels to our own.
From our partners
Charlotte Wood in conversation with Katharine Murphy
Hosted by Katharine Murphy, Charlotte Wood’s sole appearance this year is for the Canberra Writers Festival’s on 8 March and will be one not to be missed!
When: Wednesday 8th March, 6pm
Where: National Library of Australia, Theatre, Lower Ground
Tickets: $18 (includes book signing)
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Open daily 9am—5pm
18 King George Terrace, Parkes, ACT 2600, Australia
PO Box 3934, Manuka ACT 2603
02 6270 8222