Inside the National Portrait Gallery: Your 60-Second Guide to Landing a Creative Government Role 🎨
Ever wondered what it’s really like to work at the National Portrait Gallery (NPG)? We’ve combed through their 2023–24 Annual Report so you don’t have to! In this quickfire overview, you’ll discover everything you need to know about the NPG, from its primary functions and finances to the skills and qualifications they’re seeking in new recruits. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a fresh school-leaver, this concise guide will give you a head start on your path to a fulfilling career in the Australian Public Service.
AT-A-GLANCE
Name of Department / Council: National Portrait Gallery
Location: King Edward Terrace, Parkes, ACT 2600, Australia
CEO: Functionally referred to as the Director, Ms. Bree Pickering
Total Revenue: Approximately $26 million for 2023–24 (combining government appropriation and own-source income)
Total Number of Employees: 56 (47 ongoing, 9 non-ongoing, not including casual staff)
THE QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO
Top 5 academic qualifications most suited
Fine Arts or Visual Arts – Deepens your understanding of art-making and curatorial processes.
Museum or Gallery Studies – Prepares you for collection care, curation, and public engagement.
Marketing or Communications – Equips you to develop audience-focused campaigns and outreach.
Information Technology or Digital Media – Supports digital innovation, virtual tours, and online content.
Business Administration or Public Administration – Strengthens budget management, strategic planning, and compliance in a government setting.
Top 5 certifications most suited
Project Management (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile) – Vital for planning and delivering complex exhibitions or events on time and on budget.
Conservation/Collections Care Accreditation – Needed for preserving artworks and ensuring best practices in heritage management.
Digital Content/Photography Certification – Helps you capture and share art, creating high-quality visuals for social media or archival records.
Work Health and Safety (WHS) Certification – Essential to maintain safe environments for both visitors and staff.
Human Resources (HR) Certification (e.g., AHRI) – Important for recruiting, training, and supporting a diverse workforce in the APS.
Top 5 trades / professions most suited
Curators – Responsible for selecting and interpreting artworks, shaping gallery narratives.
Arts Educators – Design workshops and tours that bring Australian culture and creativity to life.
Events and Venue Coordinators – Manage public programs, launches, and large-scale exhibitions seamlessly.
Art Technicians / Exhibition Installers – Ensure the secure and professional display of works.
Administration & Frontline Staff (e.g., APS Administration Officers) – Provide crucial support in finance, HR, procurement, and visitor services.
Top 5 skills most suited
Soft Skills
Collaboration and Teamwork – Running an exhibition or event requires coordination across multiple teams.
Communication and Public Speaking – Crucial for educational tours, talks, and outreach programs.
Technical Skills
Digital Literacy – Managing online catalogues, social media, and digital interactives to reach broader audiences.
Database Management – Tracking acquisitions, donors, and membership details accurately.
General Skills
Stakeholder Engagement – Working closely with artists, government agencies, sponsors, and local communities.
Research and Analysis – Developing interpretive text, curatorial essays, and data-driven programs.
Project Coordination – Ensuring exhibitions and tours run smoothly from planning to execution.
Top 5 work experiences most suited
Gallery or Museum Experience – Hands-on curatorial, conservation, or education work in a cultural institution.
Event Planning or Hospitality – Logistical and customer-service knowledge that translates well to large public programs.
Digital Marketing or Communications – Skills in email campaigns, social media, and web content management.
Volunteering in Arts/Community Settings – Demonstrates passion and grassroots involvement in cultural projects.
Government or Non-Profit Administration – Familiarity with APS processes, reporting, and compliance needs.
THE KEY FACTS
Name of Department: National Portrait Gallery
Name of CEO: Director, Ms. Bree Pickering
Location: Based in Canberra but operates nationally through touring exhibitions
Year Founded: Established in 1998, with enabling legislation formalized in 2012
Main Mission and Purpose:
To celebrate Australian identity by collecting, preserving, and showcasing portraiture across time and place.
Real-world example: Commissioning and exhibiting First Nations artists highlights the diversity of Australia’s creative heritage and fosters cultural pride.
Main Duties of the Department:
Develop the national portrait collection and maintain best-practice collection care.
Offer research, educational, and public programs that interpret artworks for audiences nationwide.
Real-world example: National touring exhibitions ensure remote and regional communities can engage with significant artworks and cultural narratives.
Key Projects, Key Strategic Priorities, Future Plans and Initiatives:
Digital engagement to expand reach, especially in rural and regional schools.
Traveling exhibitions that bring portraits to audiences beyond Canberra.
New acquisitions & commissions with a special focus on contemporary Australian and First Nations artists.
Did you know?
Nearly 465,000 people visited the National Portrait Gallery onsite in 2023–24, the highest summer attendance since 2016! 🎉
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE
Total Number of Employees: 56 (47 ongoing, 9 non-ongoing)
Total Number of Employees at Each Pay Level: Not publicly detailed in the annual report.
Salary Bands: As part of the APS structure, typical salaries range from approximately AUD $50,000 at the base level to over AUD $160,000 in senior roles.
Average Salary in the Department: Around AUD $135,000 (based on total employee benefits divided by the average number of employees).
Total Revenue: Approximately $26 million in 2023–24, combining government appropriation and non-government revenue .
Average Revenue per Employee: About $464,000 (total revenue ÷ total employees).
GETTING A JOB AT THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
Which academic subjects are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Certificate / Diploma Level:
Arts Administration, Graphic Design, Event Management, Visitor Services
Ideal for entry-level roles in event coordination, promotional material design, and day-to-day gallery operations.
Bachelor / Master Level:
Art History, Fine Arts, Museum Studies, Public Administration
Offers deeper theoretical knowledge and managerial or policy insights necessary for specialized or supervisory roles.
PhDs:
Art History, Cultural Studies, Conservation Science
Enables cutting-edge research, advanced conservation projects, and high-level contributions to curatorial and scholarly work.
Which trades and professions are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Skilled Art Technicians, Carpenters, and Audio-Visual Specialists for installing exhibits and creating immersive gallery experiences.
Project Managers who can oversee complex, multi-faceted programs within APS frameworks.
Which work experiences are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Demonstrated success in public programming, arts education, exhibition design, or digital marketing.
Previous APS or non-profit administration indicating strong compliance, stakeholder liaison, and budgeting skills.
Which skills are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Soft skills: Interpersonal communication, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving.
Technical skills: Digital content creation, social media management, budgeting tools.
General skills: Time management, data analysis, adaptability, and research capabilities.
Which hobbies and interests align with the work of this department?
Photography, painting, sketching – resonates strongly in a creative environment.
Attending galleries and cultural events – shows passion for the sector’s mission.
Historical or archival research – complements the curation and storytelling within portraits.
WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THIS DEPARTMENT?
Contact the department:
Address: King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia
Telephone: +61 2 6102 7000
Email: info@npg.gov.au
Website: portrait.gov.au
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