The 2026 Vincent Lingiari Art Award will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the passing of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NT) with an exhibition themed Our Country, Our Culture: 50 Years of Land Rights.
Desart and the Central Land Council are proud to present the Award, which honours the legacy of Vincent Lingiari, the Wave Hill Walk-Off and the struggle for land rights.
The 1976 Aboriginal Land Rights Act saw the establishment of the Northern Territory's two largest land councils and ultimately allowed them to claim native title over more than half of the NT for Traditional Owners.
Since the inaugural Vincent Lingiari Art Award in 2016, Aboriginal artists whose country is in the Central Land Council region have submitted works in a wide range of media.
In 2026, the award will offer a $10,000 major prize to the most outstanding artwork in the exhibition, the CLC Delegates' Choice Award of $2,000 and the Desart People's Choice Award of $2,000.
The award exhibition will open on August 17 at the Araluen Arts Centre in Mparntwe / Alice Springs.
The winners will be announced on September 10, during the official opening celebration of the Vincent Lingiari Art Award, which will coincide with the official opening of Desert Mob 2026.
"Desart is honoured to again partner with the Central Land Council to present the Vincent Lingiari Art Award and acknowledges the CLC's distinguished service to our people," said Desart chief executive Philip Watkins.
"Our artists today are the inheritors of the legacy of people like Vincent Lingiari, who fought hard to have our land and other rights recognised.
"Aboriginal-owned and governed art centres continue to embody the spirit and self-determination of the land rights movement, and we look forward to recognising and celebrating the ancient connection of country and culture through the 2026 Vincent Lingiari Art Award."
Desart and the CLC have announced Kelli Cole, a Warumungu and Luritja woman from Central Australia, as the curator of the award.
Ms Cole has helped shape the presentation of Indigenous art on a national stage, contributing to National Indigenous Art Triennials at the National Gallery of Australia and recently leading the curation of Emily Kam Kngwarray at the Tate Modern.
Cole has been engaging with Aboriginal art centres across the CLC region and Desart membership about the award since late last year.
"I'm so excited to be part of the Vincent Lingiari Art Award this year," she said.
"I look forward to every entry, as each piece represents the enduring power of our culture.
"Art has always been the way we make ourselves heard, and that will never change."
Central Land Council chair Warren Williams, noted: "Our old people have always used their artistic skills to fight for their land. Just look at the Yirrkala Bark Petitions and the Barunga Statement, where they also used ochre to paint up for ceremony."
"Today we are still using art to make the case for our water rights. I am so proud that Desart are again working with us to put on this award," he said.
Entries for the award close on Friday, the 17th of April 2026.
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