Visiting with a school group

About the Gallery

I am visiting the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) with my school.

At the NPG I will see some portraits. Portraits are artworks of people.

I can learn a lot by looking at them, thinking about them and talking about what I discover. Portraits can be very old or new.

Portraits can be made in different ways.

Portraits can be:

• sculptures
• drawings
• paintings
• videos
• photographs

Arriving at the NPG

When I arrive at the NPG I will wait outside the main entrance near the big, orange sculpture.

I will meet a member of the NPG learning team. They wear a red, rectangular badge. They will be my presenter and will look after me during my visit.

I will get into a small group ready to enter the building. My teacher will help.

Inside the building, I will put any food, drink or large bags in a big wooden box. This keeps my things and the artworks safe.

Inside the NPG

I will find different types of spaces in the NPG.

Rooms can be:

• big
• small
• bright
• dark
• quiet
• loud

Sometimes there are lots of noises all at once from videos or other visitors.

I can bring my own noise cancelling headphones or ear plugs to help me.

I can take my sunglasses with me if it is too bright.

I will let my teacher know if I need to move to a quieter room.

If I need to use the toilet I will ask my teacher or our NPG presenter where to find it if I need help.

Sometimes it is nice to sit and look at artworks.

I can sit and look at the artworks using a stool.

With my class, I will collect a stool at the start of my school tour.

I can fold the stool up and carry it with me through the NPG.

Galleries at the NPG

I should walk carefully in the building and stay with my group. I will see artworks all around me. It is important to remember not to touch the artworks, cases or walls.

This protects the artworks and keeps them safe.

I will listen to our NPG presenter. If I would like to ask a question I will put my hand up and wait. I will use a quiet voice inside the NPG.

I might see a security guard inside the NPG. Security guards wear a white shirt and dark suit. They help protect us and the art. Security guards might remind me to keep a safe distance from the art.

Activities at the NPG

I will look at different artworks today with my group. There are many gallery spaces and hundreds of artworks. I might not get to visit all the rooms as I am only visiting for a short time with my school.

I might do some activities, like talking with my group or drawing. My teacher and the NPG staff will help me if I need.

When I draw, I will use the drawing board, paper and pencil given to me by our NPG presenter. I will rest the drawing board on my lap to draw. It is important not to rest the drawing board on the walls. Resting the drawing board on my lap will keep me and the art safe.

When I am finished drawing, our NPG presenter will collect my pencil and drawing board. My teacher might take our drawings and keep them safe until we get back to school.

Leaving the NPG

At the end of my visit, I will put my stool over my shoulder and return it.

I will follow our NPG presenter to the big wooden box to get my things. The NPG staff will hand me my things. I might need to wait if there are lots of bags to collect.

I will say goodbye to our NPG presenter and go outside to the big, orange sculpture with my teacher.

HOW I KEEP COVID SAFE AT THE NPG

• I will 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 need to.
• I should keep a distance from staff and other visitors.
• I will cough or sneeze into my elbow.
• I will wash and sanitise my hands regularly.