arts

Entries open for 2026 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards

Phoebe Blogg Published October 15, 2025 at 12.35pm (AWST)

Inside the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, featuring artowrks from last year's awards. (Image: Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory)

The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), and principal partner Telstra, have officially announced the opening of the call for entries for the 2026 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards.

Telstra NATSIAA is presented on Larrakia Country (Darwin) and is Australia's longest-running and most prestigious art awards celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.

The Awards mark their 43rd year in 2026 and celebrate a 35-year-long partnership with Telstra.

Celebrating excellence, cultural strength and innovation through art, the Awards provide a nationally significant platform for sharing powerful stories and unique practices from across the continent, showcasing the very best of contemporary art.

With hundreds of entries from across Australia each year, the Awards attract and honour acclaimed artists and Elders, along with emerging artists and those making their debut.

*Inside the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, featuring artworks from last year's awards. (Image: Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory)*

All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to enter the Awards for the chance to share their stories through this annual exhibition.

Telstra NATSIAA awards a total of $190,000 across seven categories, with the Telstra Art Award of $100,000 awarded to the work considered by the judges to be the most outstanding work across all categories.

Prizes of $15,000 each are on offer in each of the following six categories including the Telstra Bark Painting Award, Telstra General Painting Award, Telstra Work on Paper Award, Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (sponsored by Telstra), Telstra Multimedia Award and the Telstra Emerging Artist Award.

A final non-monetary Award is the Telstra People's Choice which is given to the most popular work as selected by visitors throughout the run of the exhibition.

*2025 Telstra Art Award winner,* artist Gaypalani Waṉambi. Image: Charlie Bliss.

MAGNT director Adam Worrall said the awards continues to highlight both the depth and talent within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art practice.

"Telstra NATSIAA continues to highlight the extraordinary depth and talent within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art practice," he said.

"These Awards honour artists across generations, those who have shaped the legacy of the Awards and those emerging with bold, new voices."

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards are an annual art competition that celebrates the exceptional talent and cultural significance of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.

As the longest-running and most prestigious awards for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artist, the event provides a platform for artists to showcase their cultural and creative practices.

Entries close on the 23rd of February 2026.

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