Australia’s longest-running awards for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists has overtaken the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize as the richest in the country.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (Natsiaa) is now in its 38th year, and its major partner, Telstra, has upped the prize pool from $80,000 to $190,000.
The change was announced as part of a renewed partnership between the telecoms company and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (Magnt) in Darwin, where the awards and exhibition are held each year.
The total prize pool is split across seven categories, the largest being the prestigious Telstra Art Award, which in 2021 went to Pitjantjatjara artist Timo Hogan. This year’s winner will be given $100,000 – twice the previous amount – and each of the category awards have tripled in value from $5000 to $15,000.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the first artists of this country,” said 2021 Telstra Natsiaa finalist Elisa Jane Carmichael. “It’s wonderful to recognise the … awards as the biggest art prize in Australia. I have been a finalist twice … and it has been a wonderful experience and a huge honour.”
Funds for Magnt’s acquisitions have also increased from $40,000 to $50,000. “The increased prize pool reflects and respects the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and communities to international art and culture,” said Rebekah Raymond, curator of Aboriginal art and material culture at Magnt, via a statement.
“This also comes at a time when the pandemic continues to devastate communities, especially First Nations peoples and communities. The significant impacts of the pandemic are long-lasting and far-reaching, and we are committed to continuing our support of artists … The awards and associated prize money are one concrete and ongoing way we can do so.”
The 2021 Telstra People’s Choice Award winner was announced earlier this month; Pitjantjatjara woman Sally Scales from South Australia won for her work Wati Tjakura.
The 2022 Telstra Natsiaas take place on Friday August 5, with the exhibition opening the following day, August 6. Entries close on March 18.
You can explore the 2021 exhibition online via the virtual gallery.
