Galleries, museums and theatres

Across Canberra, you’ll find fantastic galleries, museums and theatres showcasing local, Indigenous and international art.

Immerse yourself in the city’s arts scene by visiting some of these great institutions.

Galleries

Interested in strolling past some of the world’s greatest artistic masterpieces? The National Gallery of Australia (NGA) has got you covered! With free entry to the main galleries and ticketed travelling exhibitions, you will find inspiration in many different forms. The NGA also has the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, and you can enjoy coffee or lunch at their sunny outdoor Street Cafe.

If portraits are more your thing, the nearby National Portrait Gallery is a great spot to explore some of the best portraiture around. Their cosy café, The Fresh Collective, also makes a great place to study!

UNSW Canberra student, Priyanka, loves that so many of Canberra’s cultural attractions have free admission.

To support our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, and enjoy some beautiful artwork, why not check out the Burrunju Aboriginal Corporation? Located on Lake Burley Griffin, this Aboriginal-run gallery provides Indigenous people the opportunity to realise their dream of self-determination through the sale of their original artwork.

Another great spot to support local artists is CraftACT, situated in the city near the Canberra Theatre Centre and Canberra Museum & Gallery – find out more about these and more not-to-be-missed destinations at the VisitCanberra website.

Museums

Canberra’s museums are the perfect balance of thought-provoking and just a little bit of fun! Canberra Museum and Gallery is in the heart of the city and features a variety of exhibitions about our region’s social history and Australia’s culture on the global stage.

Canberra Museum and Gallery is a central place to get a dose of culture in the city, with an array of permanent and temporary exhibitions, including Sidney Nolan’s iconic Ned Kelly series.

For some interactive fun (and some gob-smacking exhibitions), head to the National Museum of Australia where you can explore the rich and diverse stories of Australia and enjoy lunch in their lakeside café!

Theatres

In the heart of the city, The Canberra Theatre Centre plays host some of the best touring and local acts, from musical artists to dramatic productions. There’s something on nearly every night!

Canberra Theatre Centre is Canberra’s premier venue for theatre, comedy and live music – make sure to keep an eye on what’s coming soon.

On the western fringe of the CBD, The Street Theatre is a venue which exhibits ambitious contemporary live performances. On the Australian National University campus, it’s an intimate setting and a perfect opportunity to support local acts.

Just outside of Canberra, The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre features locally run musicals, comedy, performances, and more! You’ll be sure to find many quirky hidden gems in this regional theatre.

South of Lake Burley Griffin, the Erindale Theatre is adjacent to the Erindale Active Leisure Centre and the Erindale library, and hosts anything from end-of-year dance concerts to large-scale productions. Tuggeranong Arts Centre also boasts a rich and varied line up.

Finally, Canberra’s newest theatre venue, ACT Hub hosts eight plays every year in the heritage-listed Causeway Hall near the Kingston Foreshore. ACT Hub is dedicated to independent theatre productions and telling stories from here and around the world.