Established Artist of the Year Award
Nominate an established First Nations artist with 20+ years of practice for a $25,000 award recognizing excellence in artistic practice and outstanding achievement in the arts.
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Get matched →- Deadline
- 1 day left
- Entry fee
- Free
- Award
- $25,000
- Location
- Australia
- Exhibition window
- May 27, 2027 → May 27, 2027
- Applicants notified
- Jan 31, 2027
About
Overview
A $25,000 award recognising outstanding achievement in artistic practice by an established First Nations artist with 20 or more years of continued practice in community arts and cultural development, dance, experimental arts, literature, multi-arts, music, theatre, and/or visual arts. Nominations are invited from individuals and arts and community organisations. The recipient will be presented with the Award at the First Nations Arts and Culture Awards ceremony on Thursday 27 May 2027.
Key dates
- Nominations open: Thursday 28 May 2026
- Applications close: Tuesday 15 September 2026, 3pm AEST
- Notifications: late January 2027
- Awards ceremony: Thursday 27 May 2027
Eligibility
Nominees must be First Nations, 18+ years old, based in Australia, and have 20 or more years of continued artistic practice. They must not have an overdue grant report, owe money to Creative Australia, have previously received this award, or been shortlisted for a First Nations Arts and Culture Award within the past 3 years. Self-nominations are not accepted. Nominators can be individuals over 18 residing in Australia or organisations based in Australia.
How to apply
Nominate a candidate through the Creative Australia Application Management System. You must be registered in the system a minimum of two business days prior to the closing date.
Contact
- Email: [email protected]
- Voice Relay: 1300 555 727
- TTY: 133 677
- Auslan Interpreter Service available upon request (notify at least one week before closing date)
About the Awards
The First Nations Arts and Culture Awards are held each year on 27 May, the anniversary of the 1967 referendum and the opening of National Reconciliation Week, to honour First Nations excellence and outstanding contributions of First Nations artists, arts workers and entrepreneurs. The Awards are assessed by an independent panel of First Nations Industry Advisors, with the Red Ochre Awards determined by Creative Australia's First Nations Board. This initiative is part of Creative Australia's First Nations First industry development programs.
- Award
- One award of $25,000
- Entry fee
- Free to enter
- Theme
- The award recognises outstanding achievement in artistic practice and outstanding contributions of established First Nations artists to their arts practice, culture, and community.
- Eligibility
- Nominee must be First Nations, 18+ years old, an artist or arts worker with 20+ years continued practice in community arts, cultural development, dance, experimental arts, literature, multi-arts, music, theatre, and/or visual arts, based in Australia, with no overdue grant reports, no outstanding debt to Creative Australia, and must not have previously received this award or been shortlisted for a First Nations Arts and Culture Award in the past 3 years. Self-nominations not accepted. Nominators can be individuals 18+ residing in Australia or Australian-based organizations.
- Audience
- First Nations artists and arts workers 18+ years old with 20 or more years of continued artistic practice
- Contact
- [email protected]
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.