ENTRIES OPEN FOR 2018 - NOW AWARDING $80,000 IN PRIZES

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The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) is Australia’s longest running and most prestigious Indigenous art award. The aim is to recognise the important contribution made by Indigenous artists from regional and urban areas throughout Australia, working in both traditional and contemporary media. In partnership with Telstra, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory delivers this unique event that showcases the best in Indigenous art from across Australia.

Since its genesis in 1984, NATSIAA has provided a platform for the diverse practices of Indigenous artists and is now firmly established as a critical event on Australia’s cultural calendar. Such is the success and longevity of this award, it can now lay claim to having schooled a generation of observers who annually flock to MAGNT to immerse themselves in the best contemporary Indigenous art of the previous twelve months.

The 2017 Awards ceremony will be held on Friday 11 August.

CATEGORIES

This year two new categories have been introduced. The Telstra Multimedia Award will allow multi-disciplinary artists the opportunity to enter innovative and exciting works that use digital content. While the Telstra Emerging Artist Award (evolved from the Telstra Youth Award) provides an avenue for artists in the first five years of their practice to gain exposure on a national stage and launch their career.

The Telstra Art Award of $50,000 is awarded to the work considered by judges to be the most outstanding work across all categories.

The Telstra Emerging Artist Award of $5,000 is awarded from any category to an artist working within their first five years of practice who has not exhibited in a major institution.

Prizes of $5,000 each are awarded in each of the following categories: 

• Telstra Bark Painting Award

• Telstra General Painting Award

• Telstra Works on Paper Award (includes photography, print making, drawing)

• Wandjuk Marika Memorial Three-Dimensional Award (sponsored by Telstra)

• Telstra Multimedia Award (for multidisciplinary and digital works)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists can submit one original work that has not been previously exhibited or made available for sale. All awards are non-acquisitive and entrants are eligible to win one award.