Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery

19/10/2026

🌌 Gaze in wonder at the stars and learn about space at the Launceston Planetarium.

From distant galaxies to the wonders of our own solar system, there’s plenty to discover under the Planetarium’s immersive full-dome screen.

With more than 20 shows to choose from, there’s something for curious minds of all ages. Sit back in cinema-style seating and enjoy an immersive experience, including a live description of the night sky over Tasmania.

A Launceston favourite since 1968, the Planetarium is a place to spark curiosity, explore big questions and see the universe from a whole new perspective.

📍 Launceston Planetarium, Museum at Inveresk, 2 Invermay Road
🎟️ Explore the program and book your show at bit.ly/qvmag-planetarium





Explore what’s on at your QVMAG 👉 www.qvmag.tas.gov.au

Image: Visitors in the Launceston Planetarium. Photo: QVMAG.

18/10/2026

NOW SHOWING EXCLUSIVELY AT QVMAG IN TASMANIA: 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘰𝘴𝘰: 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘦 ✨

Maria Fernanda Cardoso is internationally renowned for using unconventional and organic materials to consider nature and its links to culture and science. Working across sculpture, photography, installation, video and performance, her work examines the connections and tensions between society and the natural world.

𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘰𝘴𝘰: 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘦 presents new works from Cardoso’s 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘦 photographic series (2018–ongoing), alongside her acclaimed video work 𝘖𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘳𝘵 𝘐-𝘐𝘐 (2016). Cardoso’s subject is the tiny Australian 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴 spider – measuring less than 5mm in size – and their unique, brightly-coloured abdomens, which form part of their elaborate mating rituals.

Across a suite of large-scale photographs, the exquisite multi-coloured patterns of various species of 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴 are presented as individual portraits. Produced in collaboration with scientific imager Geoff Thompson and entomologist Andy Wang from the Queensland Museum, each image is comprised of over 1000 individual photos, which together reveal stunning nuances of colour and form in incredible detail.

Cardoso’s video 𝘖𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘳𝘵 𝘐-𝘐𝘐 presents the complex courtship ritual of the 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴 at an immersive scale. It showcases the spiders’ sophisticated communication through dance and vibration, culminating in the display of their colourful patterned abdominal flap.

Bringing together science, art and nature, this exhibition celebrates the beauty of the natural world and reveals the sophisticated lives of creatures not usually witnessed.

MARIA FERNANDA CARDOSO: SPIDERS OF PARADISE
5 September – 22 November 2026
Museum at Inveresk, 2 Invermay Road
Free entry | Open 10am to 4pm daily

𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘰𝘴𝘰, 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘦 is an exhibition developed and toured by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body. This project is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

Image: Maria Fernanda Cardoso, 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘦: 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴 𝘬𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦 [detail], 2024, pigment print on paper, framed, courtesy the artist and Sullivan+Strumpf, Sydney © the artist.

17/10/2026

✨️ RESCHEDULED TO 14 NOVEMBER 2026 ✨️

🎻 Experience an extraordinary afternoon of music and art with internationally acclaimed violinist Peter Tanfield.

Returning to the Art Gallery at Royal Park, Out of the Vault and Onto the Strings invites audiences into an intimate solo performance set among QVMAG's collection.

Responding to selected works from the QVMAG Collection exhibition Out of the Vault, Tanfield will perform a carefully curated program featuring music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Niccolò Paganini and Eugène Ysaÿe – composers who have helped inspire and shape his remarkable career across the world stage.

Surrounded by artworks and objects drawn from QVMAG's vast collection, this unique event creates a thoughtful dialogue between sound, memory and material culture. Join us for this rare opportunity to experience the collection in a new and deeply personal way - book at bit.ly/4xcfDIt.

PETER TANFIELD: Out of the Vault and Onto the Strings
Saturday 14 November 2026 | 2pm-3pm
Art Gallery at Royal Park | 2 Wellington Street
Ticketed event: General Admission $42 | Concession $38 | Friends of QVMAG $35
Bookings essential 🔗 bit.ly/4xcfDIt





The best of northern Tasmanian arts, history and natural science – straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter today and stay in touch with the latest news from QVMAG 👉 mailchi.mp/qvmag/sign-me-up

16/10/2026

𝘈𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘵 artwork spotlight: Khadim Ali, 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯/𝘌𝘷𝘢𝘤𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯

Khadim Ali’s powerful work presents the war in Afghanistan through the allegory of demons from the thousand-year-old Persian epic Shahnameh, or Book of Kings.

For Ali, the imagery has a deeply personal connection. He grew up in Pakistan near the border with Afghanistan, in a family that had come from Afghanistan and faced persecution because of their Hazara heritage.

He was inspired by traditional Persian miniature painting from an early age, later studying the art form at the National College of Arts in Lahore.

Ali’s practice brings this tradition into a contemporary context, using the visual language of Persian miniature painting to explore Afghan myths, histories and experiences of conflict.

In 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯/𝘌𝘷𝘢𝘤𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, the Taliban and International Security Assistance Force are represented as opposing demons, set against the empty niche where the Bamiyan Buddhas once stood before their destruction by the Taliban in 2001.

Ali also depicts lions as obedient circus animals and uses a jumble of words and languages as a metaphor for the breakdown of traditional culture.

Created using gouache, ink and gold leaf on wasli paper, the work brings together mythology, personal history and contemporary conflict.

🖼️ Take a closer look at 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯/𝘌𝘷𝘢𝘤𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 in 𝘈𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘵 - now showing at the Art Gallery at Royal Park.

ART IN CONFLICT: 15 YEARS OF ART AT THE AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL
12 September 2026 – 13 December 2026
Art Gallery at Royal Park, 2 Wellington Street
Free entry | Open 10am to 4pm daily

An Australian War Memorial Touring Exhibition. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government's Visions of Australia program.





Image: Ali Khadim, 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯/𝘌𝘷𝘢𝘤𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 2015, gouache, ink, and gold leaf on wasli paper, ART96911. Image courtesy of the Australian War Memorial.

15/10/2026

140 years of community, connection and shared history.

In 2026, Scotch Oakburn College celebrates a remarkable milestone – marking 140 years of learning, traditions and the people who have helped shape its story.

Scotch Oakburn College: Celebrating 140 Years of Community honours the generations of students, families, staff and Collegians who have contributed to the College and continue to shape its future.

Discover this community exhibition at the Museum at Inveresk and celebrate the stories, experiences and connections that have made the College what it is today.

SCOTCH OAKBURN COLLEGE: CELEBRATING 140 YEARS OF COMMUNITY
24 September – 8 November 2026
Museum at Inveresk, 2 Invermay Road
Free entry | Open 10am to 4pm daily






See what’s showing at your QVMAG 👉 www.qvmag.tas.gov.au

Image: Installation view of Scotch Oakburn College: Celebrating 140 Years of Community at the Museum at Inveresk. Photo: QVMAG.

14/10/2026

🎉 NEW BABY AND TODDLER FUN AT QVMAG 🎉 We're celebrating Children’s Week with the launch of not one, but TWO new family programs designed especially for babies, toddlers and their grown-ups! 🙌

These two new year-round family programs encourage curiosity, imagination and discovery in a relaxed and welcoming environment at the Museum at Inveresk.

✨ LITTLE EXPLORERS: Toddler Story Club ✨
Join the QVMAG team for a FREE weekly story time adventure designed especially for babies, toddlers and their grown-ups set to the backdrop of the BUGS exhibition. No bookings required – simply come along, make new friends and share the joy of storytelling.
📆 Every Wednesday, 10:30–11am
🎟 FREE, no bookings required - simply join on the day!
🔗 bit.ly/qvmag-story-club

✨ LITTLE CURATORS: Toddler Fun at QVMAG ✨
Join the QVMAG Education team for a monthly sensory workshop exploring a new theme inspired by objects, stories and wonders from the QVMAG Collection. Featuring four activity zones at each session - including Little Historians, Little Artists, Little Astronomers and Little Scientists - this fun-filled program offers little ones and their grown-ups the chance to explore, create and discover together.
📆 Monthly during school terms, 10:30am–12pm
🎟 $5 per child | Parent/guardians, free entry
🔗 bit.ly/qvmag-little-curators

Bring your little explorers and curious minds along to QVMAG – we can’t wait to share the fun with you 🥳




City of Launceston Official

13/10/2026

Explore one of Tasmania's most iconic and enduring animals in a special Seniors Month workshop at QVMAG.

On Wednesday 21 October, join us at the Museum at Inveresk to celebrate the thylacine through memories, storytelling and making. Begin with an exclusive tour of the Precious Little Remains exhibition, as Senior Curator History Jon Addison discusses the thylacine's story and place in Tasmanian history.

Then, head to the Learning Centre for a hands-on clay workshop. Inspired by the thylacine's story, you'll create your own small figure to take home.

No previous art or clay-making experience is required. From experienced makers to those curious to try something new, this workshop is an opportunity to get creative in a friendly and supportive environment.

Tickets are $10 for Seniors Card holders - book your spot today at bit.ly/qvmag-seniors-month-2026.

If you can't make it on 21 October, join us for our second Seniors Month workshop: Creative Life Stories in Collage and Print. Find out more at bit.ly/qvmag-seniors-month-2026.





Discover what’s showing at your QVMAG 👉 www.qvmag.tas.gov.au

Images: Installation view of Precious Little Remains at the Museum at Inveresk. Photos: QVMAG.

10/10/2026

🔎 What happens when QVMAG staff get to choose some of their favourite collection objects?

Out of the Vault is a collection exhibition filled with unexpected discoveries, hidden gems and curious objects from across the QVMAG collection.

🖼️ Selected by members of the QVMAG team, this eclectic display brings together everything from history and natural sciences to art, design and archives.

Some objects are beautiful, some are bizarre, and others have stories you might never expect.

✨ There’s no telling what you’ll discover. Come and explore Out of the Vault at the Art Gallery at Royal Park with free entry.

OUT OF THE VAULT
8 June 2026 – 10 January 2027
Art Gallery at Royal Park, 2 Wellington Street
Free entry | Open 10am to 4pm daily





The best of northern Tasmanian arts, history and natural science – straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter today and stay in touch with the latest news from QVMAG.👉 mailchi.mp/qvmag/sign-me-up

09/10/2026

Have you explored BUGS yet? 🐛

From beautiful butterflies and brilliant beetles to marvellous millipedes and spectacular spiders, discover the incredible world of bugs at the Museum at Inveresk.

🐝Explore their amazing superpowers, try hands-on activities and interactive games, and find out why these tiny creatures are some of our planet’s most important helpers.

✨ There’s plenty to discover for curious minds of all ages – open daily from 10am to 4pm with FREE entry.

BUGS
Museum at Inveresk, 2 Invermay Road
Long-term exhibition | FREE entry | Open 10am to 4pm daily






QVMAG is proudly owned and operated by City of Launceston and the Tasmanian Government.

08/10/2026

Have you booked your spot for our latest exhibition opening? ✨

Created by RANT Arts and QVMAG, Minds Do Matter is an annual community exhibition brings people together through art, creativity and conversations about mental health and wellbeing.

🎨 This year, artists have responded to the theme ‘REFLECT: Appreciate the little things’, sharing their perspectives on the everyday moments, experiences and connections that can make a difference.

Join us for the official opening on Friday 9 October to celebrate the artists and community behind this important exhibition – and take a moment to reflect on the little things that can support our wellbeing and help us connect with ourselves and each other.

📆 Can’t make it to the opening? Minds Do Matter opens to the public on Saturday 10 October, coinciding with World Mental Health Day. The exhibition will be on display at the Museum at Inveresk until 6 December, giving you plenty of time to visit and explore the artists’ reflections on the little things that matter.

OFFICIAL OPENING: MINDS DO MATTER 2026
Friday 9 October 2026, 6pm-8pm
Museum at Inveresk, 2 Invermay Road
Free event | Register at bit.ly/qvmag-minds-do-matter-2026

MINDS DO MATTER: REFLECT
Museum at Inveresk, 2 Invermay Road
10 October – 6 December 2026
FREE entry | Open 10am to 4pm daily

You are invited to our official exhibition opening at the Museum at Inveresk.