Exhibitions
See one of our superb exhibitions and displays in the Exhibition gallery located at the library, highlighting our collection. Find out about current and forthcoming exhibitions and how the travelling exhibition program provides access to the Library's collection around the country.
Moratorium on outward loans to Exhibitions
1 March 2008 – 30 June 2010
In 2009 the National Library of Australia will commence construction of a new Treasures Gallery and a redeveloped Exhibition Gallery. In order to finalise the development and building stages of this extensive project the National Library is commencing a moratorium on all new outgoing loan requests for exhibitions for the period 1 March 2008 - 30 June 2010. more…
Current Exhibitions
Nick Cave: The Exhibition
15 August 2009 – 29 November 2009
Exhibition Gallery
http://www.nla.gov.au/exhibitions/nick-cave/
Nick Cave: The Exhibition looks behind the music to the man himself through a collection of original lyrics, notebooks, artwork, photography and books as well as personal items from his home and office. They have all been selected by the artist in an exhibition that has been drawn from the 800 items donated by Nick Cave to The Arts Centre’s Performing Arts Collection in Melbourne.
“This has been a revealing and rewarding experience,” Nick Cave said of the exhibition.
“Much of this stuff has sat around in boxes for years and the process of ‘excavating’ it has been many things – moving, disturbing, inspiring and downright terrifying.”
The Ballets Russes in Australia 1936-1940
9 April - 31 January 2010
Visitor Centre and Lower Ground 1
http://www.nla.gov.au/exhibitions/balletsrusses/
This special collection-in-focus features more than 100 items and concentrates on three themes: the artists who created the Ballets Russes and its experimental productions; the dancers who captivated Australian audiences; and the Australian artists whom they inspired. It also includes a tribute to Russian impresario Serge Diaghilev whose inaugural Ballets Russes (1909–1929) revolutionised ballet for the rest of the twentieth century. The exhibition also looks at the Ballets Russes artists who settled in Australia and established our earliest professional ballet companies. From photographs, paintings and drawings of dancers on stage and in rehearsal, to more personal mementos of life outside the spotlight, the display looks at the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo, which dazzled Australia and Australians from the mid-1930s, bringing an exotic show of dance never before seen on these shores.
Thiess 75 Years: Shaping a Nation
17 November 2009 - 28 Februrary 2010
Fourth Floor
From humble beginnings as road contractors in southern Queensland, Thiess has become one of the nation’s leading mining, construction and services companies. In 2009, Thiess celebrates 75 years of success, since its founding during the Depression on the Darling Downs in 1934.
The photographs in this exhibition are reproductions of original photographs recently donated by Thiess to the National Library of Australia to mark its 75th anniversary. They highlight the company's history from early beginnings to projects including the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme, mining ventures, pastoral holdings in the Kimberley, and building and infrastructure works.
More current exhibitions and displays
Forthcoming Exhibitions
The ‘Dunera Boys’: 70 years on
12 February 2010 – 27 June 2010
Visitor Centre
This National Library collection-in-focus display coincides with the 70th anniversary year of the arrival from Britain of HMT Dunera in September 1940. This ship carried over 2,500 German and Austrian internees. The so-called 'Dunera Boys', were escaping the horrors of Nazi Germany but were interned as 'Enemy Aliens' in camps in rural New South Wales and Victoria. The internees’ story is one of individual survival and of considerable achievement. Over 800 ‘Dunera Boys’ stayed in Australia after the war, making significant contributions to Australian society in many different fields.
Travelling Exhibitions
The
National Library of Australia has provided access to its diverse collection through an innovative Travelling
Exhibition program since 1994. Since its inception nearly two million people have visited
14 touring exhibitions at 118 venues in every state and territory.
Treasures Gallery
In
late 2009 / early 2010 The National Library will begin construction of its Treasures Gallery and
a new Exhibition Gallery. These state of the art display spaces will be the realisation of years of research, planning and fundraising.
Online Exhibitions
The Library has been producing online exhibitions and online publications since 1994. For online exhibitions and online publications. Visit Online Exhibitions
Past Exhibitions
Take
the plunge. Exhibitions List
