Public Programs

A comprehensive range of public programs have been developed to complement the exhibition and enhance your experience of these most fascinating relics of our civilisation.

For further program details and bookings contact Information Services telephone 9208 0203 or email: enquiries@ngv.vic.gov.au

Note: all programs are conducted at the National Gallery of Victoria unless indicated otherwise.

Guided Tours

Floor Talks

Art Views

Free Lunchtime Lectures

Lunch Hour Videos

In-Depth Lectures

Sunday Readings

Free Music in the Gallery

Open Forum

Special Events

For Children and Families

Related Events

Symposium

With the Voluntary Guides at 2.00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (admission fee applies)

A unique opportunity to hear and discuss aspects of the exhibition with the Exhibition Coordinator – Gordon Morrison, Division Head, Exhibitions and Collection Management – in the McCoy Gallery at the time indicated (admission fee applies)

Monday 19 March 12.30pm

An Introduction to the Exhibition
 

Sunday 22 April 3.30pm

An Introduction to the Exhibition
 

Sunday 27 May 3.30pm

An Introduction to the Exhibition
 

Sunday 3 June 3.30pm

An Introduction to the Exhibition
 

Interpreting the exhibition from different viewpoints – conservation, design, collection, education and other specialist fields. Presentations in the McCoy Gallery by guest speakers and NGV staff at the time indicated (entrance fee applies).

Tuesday 10, 24 April 12.30pm
Tuesday 8 May 12.30pm

Dead Sea Scrolls: Pottery and Stone Vessels
Andrew Jamieson, Archaeologist
 

Sunday 6 May & 10 June 3.30pm
Tuesday 5, 12 June 12.30pm

Dead Sea Scrolls: Wooden Artifacts, Inkwells & Leather Artifacts
Dr Geoff Jenkins, Lecturer, Biblical Studies and Early Judaism
The University of Melbourne
 

Tuesday 29 May 12.30pm

Conservation of the Dead Sea Scrolls
Lyndsay Knowles, Senior Conservator, Paper
 

Informal and informative slide talks and lectures presented between 12.30pm and 1.15pm by Gallery staff and guest speakers in the Conference Room on the Mezzanine Level.

Wednesday 21 March

Dead Sea Scrolls: An Introduction to the Exhibition
Gordon Morrison, Division Head, Exhibitions and Collection Management
 

Wednesday 11 April

Dead Sea Scrolls: The History and Significance
Dr Anne Gardner, Director, Religious Studies Program, & Senior Lecturer, History Department, La Trobe University
 

Wednesday 18 April

Dead Sea Scrolls: Who Wrote What, When and How?
Dr Geoff Jenkins, Lecturer, Biblical Studies and Early Judaism
The University of Melbourne
 

Wednesday 2 May

Romans and Greeks in First Century Judea: A Recipe for Disaster?
Dr James McLaren, Senior Lecturer, School of Theology, Australian Catholic University
 

Wednesday 9 May

The Dead Sea Scrolls and the New Testament: Sharpening the Focus on Jesus
Dr Brendan Byrne S.J.,Lecturer, United Faculty of Theology,
The University of Melbourne
 

Join us in the Conference Room on the Mezzanine Level for two programs from the BBC Worldwide series, Seeing Salvation. In this series, Neil MacGregor, acclaimed creator of Making Masterpieces, re-examines the world’s views of the Saviour. Enter the Conference Room via the stairs to the Members’ Lounge or see the staff at the Information Desk for lift access. Videos courtesy of BBC Worldwide through the Julie Hunt Memorial Video Library and Voluntary Guides of the National Gallery of Victoria.

Wednesday 23 May 12.30pm

Nativity and Adoration
(50 minutes)
 

Wednesday 6 June 12.30pm

Crucifixion and Resurrection
(50 minutes)
 

Bookings essential.
For further details and bookings telephone 9208 0208

Friday 30 March 9.00 am–11.15 am

Study Morning: An Exploration of the Scrolls and Artifacts
Enjoy continental breakfast in the Gallery café, followed by an illustrated lecture and viewing of Dead Sea Scrolls. Explore the beliefs and practices of the ‘Dead Sea Sect’ as revealed by the scrolls. Fee includes breakfast and entry into the exhibition.
Speaker: Dr Marlene Ryzman, Classical Scholar
$45.00, $40.00 members
Event code: G01024
 

Thursday 3 May 10.30am–11.30am

The Paintings of the Dura-Europos Synagogue
The paintings found on the walls of an ancient synagogue in Dura-Europos, Syria, during an archaeological excavation, astonished academics and the Jewish community. They appear to run counter to the usual conventions of Jewish art in that they defy the prohibition of the Ten Commandments that no likeness of any living being be represented in pictorial form. This lecture will present the paintings of Dura-Europos and enquire into possible reasons for the contravention of the usual practice.
Speaker: Dr Anne Gardner, Director, Religious Studies Program & Senior Lecturer, History Department, La Trobe University
Venue: Village Roadshow Theatrette, State Library of Victoria, Entry 3, 179 La Trobe St, Melbourne
$9.00, $6.00 members
Event code: G01050
 

Friday 4 May 10.30am–12.30pm

Study Morning: Making the Scrolls Speak
The Dead Sea Scrolls are an unusual choice for presentation in an art gallery. This presentation, by the Head of Exhibitions at the NGV, will look at some of the specific challenges involved in displaying material of this nature, from a range of viewpoints such as the physical well being of the objects through to providing an artistic context for the material. Following the lecture, enjoy morning tea and a walk-through of the exhibition. Fee includes entry into the exhibition.
Speaker: Gordon Morrison, Division Head, Exhibitions & Collection Management
$25.00, $20.00 members
Event code: G01057
 

Wednesday 16 May 10.30am–11.30am

Messianism – The End or the Beginning of the World?
Few themes in religious life are as vexed as the role of the messiah. Even groups that do not have messiahs, as such, nonetheless produce messengers of God who will bring a ‘new heaven and new earth.’ But what is this new Kingdom Come and when will it become a ‘fact’? Who will be included and who will be excluded from this earthly paradise? Questions like this one surround the messianic hopes of many religions, and it was no different amongst the zealous Jews who followed the dissenting leader of the Qumran community. This talk will explore the characteristics of messianic movements both in the present and in the past, with a special focus on the Qumran community.
Speaker: Dr Rachael Kohn, ABC Radio National Broadcaster
Venue: Village Roadshow Theatrette, State Library of Victoria, Entry 3, 179 La Trobe St, Melbourne
$9.00, $6.00 members
Event code: G01051
 

Readings in response to the exhibition at 3.00pm in the McCoy Gallery (admission fee applies).

Sunday 22 April

Dead Sea Scrolls
Rabbi John Levi, Emeritus Rabbi, Temple Beth Israel
 

Music in the Gallery takes place once a month in the splendid surroundings and remarkable acoustics of the NGV’s McArthur Gallery. The program during March to June presents performances by cultural and community groups inspired by the scrolls and the exhibition in Melbourne.

Saturday 17 March 2.30pm

Kim Cunio and Heather Lee
Hauntingly beautiful tunes brought to life through a combination of scholarly research and living oral tradition. A unique opportunity to hear and meet the composers and performers of the music in the exhibition.
 

Saturday 28 April 2.30pm

St Peter’s Church Choir
A selection of 16th and 17th century Psalm settings performed by the choir of St Peter’s Anglican Church, Eastern Hill, under the direction of Christopher Cook.
 

Saturday 5 May 2.30pm

Syrian Orthodox Church Choir
A performance of ancient and religious chants by the choir of Melbourne’s Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch, Mor Yacoub Burdono.
 

Sunday 3 June 2.30pm

Melbourne’s Jewish Male Voice Choir
Jewish liturgical, traditional and contemporary music performed by Melbourne’s Jewish Male Voice Choir.
 

A series of evening and daytime seminars providing opportunity for audience involvement through dialogue with the speakers.
Bookings essential. Telephone 9208 0208.

Thursday 26 April 6.00pm–8.00pm

Exhibition Viewing and Forum: Art & Spirit Join a number of leading religious commentators/figures and John Cleary, ABC Radio broadcaster, for an evening viewing mystical art and contemplating the intersection between art and spirit. The evening will commence with drinks and exclusive viewings of Colin McCahon: A Time for Messages and Dead Sea Scrolls. A dynamic panel discussion will follow focusing on the capacity of ancient and contemporary art to project and interpret the metaphysical or divine.
Speakers include Reverend Ian Brown, Ms Joy Murphy-Wandin and Sister Rosemary Crumlin.
$35.00, $30.00 members
Event code: G01052
 

Tuesday 15 May 6.00pm–7.30pm

In Conversation with Dr Rachael Kohn and Professor Lawrence Schiffman
Join ABC Radio National broadcaster and presenter of The Spirit of Things, Dr Rachael Kohn and Professor Lawrence Schiffman, for a stimulating conversation about the Dead Sea Scrolls. Professor Schiffman is Edelman Professor of Hebrew and Judaic Studies, and the Chair of the Skirball Department of Judaic Studies at New York University.
The evening commences with drinks in the Members’ Lounge at 6.00pm.
$20.00, $15.00 members
Event code: P01025
 

Wednesday 16 May 3.00pm–4.00pm

In Conversation with Dr Rachael Kohn and Dr George Brooke
Join ABC Radio National broadcaster and presenter of The Spirit of Things, Dr Rachael Kohn and Dr George Brooke, for a stimulating conversation about the Dead Sea Scrolls. Dr Brooke is Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis, the University of Manchester and Editor of Dead Sea Scrolls and Dead Sea Discoveries.
$15.00, $10.00 members
Event code: G01055
 

Monday 4 June 6.00pm–7.00pm

In Conversation with Dr Rachael Kohn and Dr George Brooke
Join ABC Radio National broadcaster and presenter of The Spirit of Things, Dr Rachael Kohn and Dr George Brooke, for a stimulating conversation about the Dead Sea Scrolls. Dr Brooke is Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis, the University of Manchester and Editor of Dead Sea Scrolls and Dead Sea Discoveries.
$15.00, $10.00 members
Event code: G01055
 

Sunday 3 June 2.30pm

Do the Dead Sea Scrolls Revolutionize Christianity?
Supported by RMIT Gallery
Since their first discovery, the Dead Sea Scrolls have shown startling parallels to Christianity. They have been interpreted as both Jewish and Christian, and have been seen as the missing link between the two religions. Join Dr Thiering, author of the best seller Jesus the Man, published in 1992, to consider the clues in the Scrolls that indicate that the gospels of the New Testament give us far more than appears on the surface. Their incredible miracles, their parables and narrative, are telling us, when these clues are understood, what Jesus really did. He was a political figure, one who reformed the existing Qumran community so as to give equality to Gentiles. He was crucified as a zealot, but he taught peace with Rome. The ‘Jesus of history’ has now become known to us, a rather different figure from the ‘Christ of faith’.
Speaker: Dr Barbara Thiering, Dead Sea Scrolls scholar
Venue: Storey Hall, RMIT 344 Swanston Street Melbourne
$15.00, $10.00 members/students
Event code: P01022
 

Friday 23 March 10.00am–4.00pm

Senior Citizens Day at the NGV on Russell
Join us on this exclusive program for senior citizens developed in association with Victoria’s Senior Citizen’s Week Project. Program includes an introductory talk presented by the Voluntary Guides and viewing of Dead Sea Scrolls. Enjoy complimentary refreshments in the splendid surrounds of the Members’ Lounge and receive an exhibition room brochure and information kit on the NGV.
$10.00
For details on tour times and bookings telephone 92080203
 

Thursday 29 March 6.00pm–9.00pm

NGV Art Lounge
Immerse yourself in the stylish atmosphere of the Art Lounge, located at the NGV on Russell. Two extraordinary exhibitions will be open for your viewing, Colin McCahon: A Time for Messages and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Food and drink is from Peter Rowland Catering, available at bar prices. Includes a free glass of champagne on arrival and entrance to the exhibitions.
Ambience and Sounds: Brett Kiteley
$20.00, $15.00 members/students
Event code: P01014
Bookings essential. Telephone 9208 0208
 

Sunday 18 March 12.00noon–3.00pm

NGV Super Sunday Family Program: Wordy Masterpieces-Stories in Art
Join us on a tour that looks at paintings and works of art, past and present, that have been inspired by words. In the Super Sunday studio you can choose a word and create your own ‘word of art’ to take home.
$11.00 per family, pay on the day
Bookings essential.Telephone 9208 0203
After the program, unravel some of the mysteries of ancient text with an optional viewing and children’s activity trail of Dead Sea Scrolls (admission fee applies)
 

Tour and Talk

Half day programs incorporating an introductory talk to the exhibition, morning/afternoon tea and exhibition viewing are available for groups of 15 or more by appointment.
For further information telephone 9208 0203
$15.00
 

Programs for Visitors with Special Needs

Special access programs including tours in Auslan (Australian Sign Language) are available on request. For further information or to discuss your program requirements telephone 9208 0351 or email enquiries@ngv.vic.gov.au
 

La Mama presents: The Scrolls Cave

A new performance event conceived in the light and the darkness of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Writer/Director Ian Scott.
As the Romans launch their final assault on the walls of Jerusalem in 70 AD, a ‘dysfunctional’ family (the daughter is engaged to a young Roman catapult operator), flees in darkness to a cave by the Dead Sea. They are shocked by skeletal remains and traces of precious documents, jars and possessions. An intensively-researched and surprisingly humourous piece, The Scrolls Cave is layered with still and moving images and sound, evoking the haunting phenomenon of the Dead Sea Scrolls, as well as contemporary situations of wholesale destruction.
Venue: The Fitzroy Gallery 271 Fitzroy St, Fitzroy
Dates: May 31 - June 17, Wednesday to Sunday at 8pm
Cost: $16/$11
Bookings: 9347 6142
Enquiries, Group and School Bookings: telephone Paul Monaghan 8344 8289
 

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E-mail: enquiries@ngv.vic.gov.au