Relaxed mornings

What are Relaxed Mornings?

Relaxed Mornings are for visitors with sensory sensitivities who prefer fewer people, less noise and stimulation. Relaxed Mornings from 9:00-10:00am and are free. At 10:00am the National Portrait Gallery, or NPG, will open to the public.

There will be some creative activities available during the session.

Can I join a Relaxed Morning?

Relaxed mornings are designed for:

• People on the autism spectrum
• People with sensory sensitivities
• People with anxiety or other mental health conditions
• People with other disabilities.

Visitors of any age can come to a Relaxed Morning.

How can I book?

I can book my ticket in different ways, including:

• Emailing bookings@npg.gov.au
• Calling (02) 6102 7070.

Where can I go if I need to take a break during my visit?

I can take a break any time in the quiet space outside the Liangis Theatre.

While using this quiet space I will:

• Have my phone on silent
• Talk quietly
• Turn the volume low on my headphones

This is so that the quiet space is kept quiet for everyone to use.

Can I take my own headphones or ear plugs into gallery spaces?

There are some sensory items I can bring into the gallery spaces. These include:

• Headphones
• Ear plugs
• Stim/fidget items. (Any stim/fidget items I bring need to be small or hand held. This helps keep them and other visitors safe, as well as the art.)

Are there any rules I need to follow during my visit?

Whenever I am at the NPG I help look after the art and myself by:

• Keeping my distance from the art and not touching.
• Eating or drinking only in the café, main hall, or outdoors.
• Leaving any large items such as bags or umbrellas in the self-service lockers.
• Always wearing footwear to protect myself from injury.
• Supervising any children in my care.
• Keeping Covid safe.

How do I keep Covid safe at the NPG?

• I should visit when I am healthy and have no COVID symptoms.
• I might see NPG, security staff and other visitors wearing masks.
• I can wear a mask if I would like to.
• I should keep a safe distance from staff and other visitors.
• I will wash or sanitise my hands regularly.
• I will follow current health advice.

Can I visit the Portrait Café and Curatoreum shop?

I can buy food and drink from the café. The café opens at 9:00am on Relaxed Mornings.

I can go to the Curatoreum (gift) shop which is open from 10:00am on Relaxed Mornings.

Is the NPG accessible if I use a wheelchair or have limited mobility?

All areas in the NPG are accessible if I use a wheelchair or have limited mobility.

I can borrow a wheelchair, walker or walking stick to use in the gallery spaces. These are available free from the Information Desk.

Where are the accessible toilets?

The NPG has two accessible toilets. Accessible toilets are marked on the NPG map. I can also ask NPG or security staff to help me find accessible toilets if I need.

There is a parents’ room at the NPG. The parents’ room has:

• Baby change table
• Toilet
• Seating.

I am welcome to breastfeed at the NPG.

What time do Relaxed Mornings finish?

Relaxed Mornings finish at 10:00am. Afterwards I can stay in the NPG. The NPG will be busier from 10:00am when the building opens to general visitors.

Who can help if I have any questions?

I can ask the friendly NPG staff and security staff if I have any questions.

I can find staff at the Information Desk in the main Gordon Darling Hall and walking throughout the gallery spaces.

Where is the NPG?

I find the NPG on King Edward Terrace close to the High Court and National Gallery of Australia.

Where can I park?

The NPG has a car park underneath the building. You enter the car park from Parkes Place.

The car park is open from 8:30am–5:30pm each day. Parking spaces for people with mobility difficulties are provided in the car park close to the public access lifts.

I will need to pay for parking.

However, if I have a disability parking permit I can park in the reserved parking bays. The reserved parking bays are close to the lifts to enter the NPG galleries. If I have a disability parking permit I can bring my parking ticket to the Information Desk for free parking.

How do I get to the NPG by public transport?

I can catch an ACTION bus.

I can find the latest bus timetable information on the ACTION buses website or on Google Transit.

I would like more information

If I need more information I can contact the NPG by calling (02) 6102 7070 or emailing bookings@npg.gov.au

I can ask about activities at the NPG or talk to a staff member about my individual needs.

I can find more information about accessibility at the NPG on the access page.

I want to give feedback

I can use the following ways to give the NPG feedback.

• Phone (02) 6102 7070
• Email bookings@npg.gov.au
• Text 0434 561 316