Be the first to experience the new blockbuster exhibition and epic events all about sharks.

For 450 million years, sharks have dominated Earth’s oceans. Today, their existence has never been under more threat. In the Australian Museum’s new exhibition, Sharks, visitors will explore the diversity of these ancient predators with eleven life-size shark models, interactive experiences and specimens from the Australian Museum collection. With cultural connections reaching back countless generations, visitors will also discover how First Nations’ and Pasifika Peoples’ knowledge of sharks can help us protect them.

Sharks opens to the public on Saturday 24 September 2022 and runs through to Tuesday 31 January 2023, with tickets on sale now. Don’t miss this spectacular new exhibition about one of Earth’s most fierce and fascinating apex predators: https://australian.museum/exhibition/sharks/.

To accompany the blockbuster exhibition, the Australian Museum is hosting a series of program events including talks, workshops and activities for visitors to further engage with the history, science, cultural connections, and the future of sharks.

The series of events features:

SHARKS OPENING WEEKEND

Celebrate the opening of the Sharks exhibition with a huge weekend of free performances by the Sydney Youth Orchestra and traditional Mer (Murray) Island dances in Hintze Hall across Saturday 24 September and Sunday 25 September.

The AM’s theatre will feature FREE talks by shark experts during the opening weekend:

The Epic Evolution of Sharks: With skeletons made of cartilage and skin made of teeth, sharks have experienced an extraordinary journey of adaptation. Shark guru Dr Will White, senior curator of CSIRO’s Australian National Fish Collection, travels back 450 million years to discover the incredible diversity and distinct traits that have made these remarkable creatures so successful.  11.30am – 12:30pm | Saturday 24 September | Free, registration required | Ages 14+

Sharks, Kinship and Conservation: Walpiri woman and journalist Rachael Hocking along with Meriam man and Sharkscontributing artist Obery Sambo present a talk to give insights into First Nations kinship and knowledge systems, and how storytelling and cultural practices play a vital role in their conservation. 11.30am – 12:30pm | Sunday 25 September | Free, registration required | Ages 14+

For 450 million years, sharks have dominated Earth’s oceans. Today, their existence has never been under more threat. In the Australian Museum’s new exhibition, Sharks, visitors will explore the diversity of these ancient predators with eleven life-size shark models, interactive experiences and specimens from the Australian Museum collection. With cultural connections reaching back countless generations, visitors will also discover how First Nations’ and Pasifika Peoples’ knowledge of sharks can help us protect them.

Sharks opens to the public on Saturday 24 September 2022 and runs through to Tuesday 31 January 2023, with tickets on sale now. Don’t miss this spectacular new exhibition about one of Earth’s most fierce and fascinating apex predators: https://australian.museum/exhibition/sharks/.

To accompany the blockbuster exhibition, the Australian Museum is hosting a series of program events including talks, workshops and activities for visitors to further engage with the history, science, cultural connections, and the future of sharks.

The series of events features:

SHARKS OPENING WEEKEND

Celebrate the opening of the Sharks exhibition with a huge weekend of free performances by the Sydney Youth Orchestra and traditional Mer (Murray) Island dances in Hintze Hall across Saturday 24 September and Sunday 25 September.

The AM’s theatre will feature FREE talks by shark experts during the opening weekend:

The Epic Evolution of Sharks: With skeletons made of cartilage and skin made of teeth, sharks have experienced an extraordinary journey of adaptation. Shark guru Dr Will White, senior curator of CSIRO’s Australian National Fish Collection, travels back 450 million years to discover the incredible diversity and distinct traits that have made these remarkable creatures so successful.  11.30am – 12:30pm | Saturday 24 September | Free, registration required | Ages 14+

Sharks, Kinship and Conservation: Walpiri woman and journalist Rachael Hocking along with Meriam man and Sharkscontributing artist Obery Sambo present a talk to give insights into First Nations kinship and knowledge systems, and how storytelling and cultural practices play a vital role in their conservation. 11.30am – 12:30pm | Sunday 25 September | Free, registration required | Ages 14+

TWILIGHT BITES

Twilight Bites is a monthly after-hours talk and tour series with renowned shark scientists and cultural experts. After each talk, guests are invited to explore the AM’s Sharks exhibition, where specialists in various fields of shark science will appear to answer your sharpest shark questions.

Talks include:

Capturing Sharks with Valerie Taylor: Pioneering diver, conservationist and filmmaker Valerie Taylor discusses her life under the sea and her hopes for the future of shark conservation. Wednesday 5 October | 5.30pm – 7:00pm and 7:00pm – 8:30pm | $72 Members, $90 Non-Members, $81 Concession | Ages 16+ | Includes complimentary canapés and a drink on arrival

Sharks in the Picture: Award-winning photographer and filmmaker Michaela Skovranova joins the AM’s Climate Solutions Centre curator, Dr Jenny Newell, for a discussion about bearing witness to Earth’s most magnificent environments, observing their changes and finding ways to champion their survival. Wednesday 2 November | 5.30pm – 7:00pm and 7:00pm – 8:30pm | $72 Members, $90 Non-Members, $81 Concession | Ages 16+ | Includes complimentary canapés and a drink on arrival

Sharks, Protection and Detection: Join the AM for canapés and conversation as Principal Research Scientist with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Dr Paul Butcher details the future of shark conservation and shares some of the science that is helping to keep sharks and swimmers separate. Wednesday 7 December | 5.30pm – 7:00pm and 7:00pm – 8:30pm | $72 Members, $90 Non-Members, $81 Concession | Ages 16+

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Each school holidays, the AM keeps curious kids entertained and inspired with a range of fun and educational activities. The spring school holiday program includes a stack of shark themed events, including:

Cool Sharks: Clay Sculpting Workshop: Crafty kids will learn all about sharks and sculpt your own out of clay in these school holiday workshops for children. Thursday 29 & Friday 30 September | 10.30 – 12.30am, 1.30 – 3.30pm | $52 per child (Members), ‎‏$65 per child (non-Members).

The Tooth About Sharks: What makes a shark, a shark? Join shark expert Dr Amy Smoothey from the NSW Department of Primary Industries to bust myths and learn the ‘tooth’ about sharks! Wednesday 5, Thursday 6 & Friday 7 October |10.30 – 11.00am, 11.30am – 12.00pm, 1.30pm – 2.00pm | $12 (Members), ‎‏$15 (non-Members).

Nature Photography Workshops: Back by popular demand, young photography buffs can jumpstart their creativity and learn how to capture nature’s best angle in these school holiday workshops guided by photographer Tom Covell. Tuesday 27 & Wednesday 28 September | 10.30 – 11.30am, 12 – 2pm, 2.30 – 4.30pm | $28 – $52 (Members) $35 – $65 (non-Members).

EVENT DETAILS
What: Sharks Program Series
When: Saturday 25 September 2022 – Tuesday 31 January 2023
Where: Australian Museum, 1 William St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010

For more information and to book tickets, visit:  https://australian.museum/exhibition/sharks

TWILIGHT BITES

Twilight Bites is a monthly after-hours talk and tour series with renowned shark scientists and cultural experts. After each talk, guests are invited to explore the AM’s Sharks exhibition, where specialists in various fields of shark science will appear to answer your sharpest shark questions.

Talks include:

Capturing Sharks with Valerie Taylor: Pioneering diver, conservationist and filmmaker Valerie Taylor discusses her life under the sea and her hopes for the future of shark conservation. Wednesday 5 October | 5.30pm – 7:00pm and 7:00pm – 8:30pm | $72 Members, $90 Non-Members, $81 Concession | Ages 16+ | Includes complimentary canapés and a drink on arrival

Sharks in the Picture: Award-winning photographer and filmmaker Michaela Skovranova joins the AM’s Climate Solutions Centre curator, Dr Jenny Newell, for a discussion about bearing witness to Earth’s most magnificent environments, observing their changes and finding ways to champion their survival. Wednesday 2 November | 5.30pm – 7:00pm and 7:00pm – 8:30pm | $72 Members, $90 Non-Members, $81 Concession | Ages 16+ | Includes complimentary canapés and a drink on arrival

Sharks, Protection and Detection: Join the AM for canapés and conversation as Principal Research Scientist with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Dr Paul Butcher details the future of shark conservation and shares some of the science that is helping to keep sharks and swimmers separate. Wednesday 7 December | 5.30pm – 7:00pm and 7:00pm – 8:30pm | $72 Members, $90 Non-Members, $81 Concession | Ages 16+

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Each school holidays, the AM keeps curious kids entertained and inspired with a range of fun and educational activities. The spring school holiday program includes a stack of shark themed events, including:

Cool Sharks: Clay Sculpting Workshop: Crafty kids will learn all about sharks and sculpt your own out of clay in these school holiday workshops for children. Thursday 29 & Friday 30 September | 10.30 – 12.30am, 1.30 – 3.30pm | $52 per child (Members), ‎‏$65 per child (non-Members).

The Tooth About Sharks: What makes a shark, a shark? Join shark expert Dr Amy Smoothey from the NSW Department of Primary Industries to bust myths and learn the ‘tooth’ about sharks! Wednesday 5, Thursday 6 & Friday 7 October |10.30 – 11.00am, 11.30am – 12.00pm, 1.30pm – 2.00pm | $12 (Members), ‎‏$15 (non-Members).

Nature Photography Workshops: Back by popular demand, young photography buffs can jumpstart their creativity and learn how to capture nature’s best angle in these school holiday workshops guided by photographer Tom Covell. Tuesday 27 & Wednesday 28 September | 10.30 – 11.30am, 12 – 2pm, 2.30 – 4.30pm | $28 – $52 (Members) $35 – $65 (non-Members).

EVENT DETAILS
What: Sharks Program Series
When: Saturday 25 September 2022 – Tuesday 31 January 2023
Where: Australian Museum, 1 William St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010

For more information and to book tickets, visit:  https://australian.museum/exhibition/sharks