“THE power of architecture, like art, has an ability to transform our feelings and thoughts,” says Nick Mitzevich, director of the National Gallery of Australia as he looks towards the 40th anniversary since opening the building in 1982. Next year the NGA plans to provide admirers of the gallery’s Brutalist architecture a new experience of Colin Madigan’s building with a rehang of Australian art, which will include revealing aspects of Madigan’s original architectural vision that have been concealed over time.

MEANTIME, the gallery will once again partner with the Australian Institute of Architects (ACT Chapter) to present the Contemporary Australian Architects Speaker Series, showcasing the latest work of renowned Australian architects. Online and if possible, in the James O. Fairfax Theatre, from September 7–28, bookings here.

IT’S hard to overstate the far-reaching influence of George Miller’s “Mad Max” film series, says the National Film and Sound Archive, whose digital curators have created an action-packed collection of interviews, posters, and clips from the series’ third and fourth films: “Beyond Thunderdome” and “Fury Road”. Viewable here.

MUSIC for Canberra announced the finalists for its annual Concerto Competition — Ben Monro and Zachary Connor, cello, Mila Haydon, May Labios and Madeleine Nelson violin, and Arky Vogt bassoon. The finals, covid permitting, will be held in Wesley Music Centre at 2pm on September 12 after which the winner will perform as a soloist with the Canberra Youth Orchestra at Llewellyn Hall on December 11. Bookings for the finals here.

NO sign of any slowing in activity at Queanbeyan Arts Art Society, whose president, Barry Cranston, has brought out a newsletter exclusively devoted to members’ “Lockdown Paintings”.

THE Nature Conservancy Australia’s photo contest will close on Tuesday, August 31. The contest is open to anyone with a love for nature, amateur as well as professional photographers and entries can be submitted here across four categories – People and Nature, Landscapes, Wildlife, Water. Snappers can submit as many entries as they want.

Cancellations and Postponements:

NEW dates have been announced for Phoenix Collective’s Live Recital Series: “Tales of War”, Wesley Church , 7pm October 15; “The Priest, the Intellect, the Eccentric & the Pirate”, Wesley Music Centre, 6pm and 7.30pm, November 12; “Much ado About Nothing”, Wesley Music Centre, 6pm and 7.30pm, December 17. But “Juliet Letters” planned for Wesley Music Centre, 6pm and 7.30pm, November 26, should go ahead as planned. Ticket holders will be issued new tickets. Details here phoenixcollective.com.au

CANBERRA Symphony Orchestra has cancelled all September programming, including Chamber Classics: Old Friends on September 5, Llewellyn Three: “Celestial Visions” on September 15-16, and Jayson Gillham in Recital on September 19.

News all day, every day at CityNews.com.au.