More than 60 exceptional artists have been named as finalists in the 2026 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA), highlighting the strength, diversity and innovation of contemporary Indigenous art across Australia.

Now in its 43rd year, Telstra NATSIAA continues to bring together artists from remote art centres to inner-city studios, with culture, storytelling and creative innovation converging to celebrate the very best of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.

The 64 compelling works, selected from 221 entries, reflect themes of intergenerational storytelling, the continuation of cultures, connections to Country and the enduring impacts of Australia’s colonial history on individuals and communities.

Presented by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) in partnership with Telstra, the awards remain a vital platform for nurturing and celebrating Indigenous artists, providing a national and international stage to showcase their work.

This year we also mark 40 years of the Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award. This award commemorates Wandjuk Marika OBE (1927-1987), a Yolngu man, artist and leader.

Spanning categories from bark painting and sculpture to multimedia and works on paper, Telstra NATSIAA captures the diversity and innovation of Indigenous art. Artists from across the country share in a total prize pool of $190,000, including the prestigious $100,000 Telstra Art Award.