Media Release, Telstra NATSIAA to open this weekend as judges announced, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, 26 June 2026
The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) will open the 2026 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (Telstra NATSIAA) exhibition on Saturday 27 June 2026, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the finalist’s works ahead of the official announcement of winners in August.
Now in its 43rd year, Telstra NATSIAA continues to bring together artists from remote art centres to small townships 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, in this year’s exhibition 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 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.
MAGNT is also pleased to announce the esteemed judging panel for the 2026 Telstra NATSIAA are artists, curators, academics and cultural leaders Julie Gough, Yhonnie Scarce and Warraba Weatherall.
Telstra NATSIAA Curator Dr Shannon Brett said the judges bring a wealth of artistic, cultural and academic expertise to this year’s awards.
“We are honoured to have these three powerhouses on board to select this year’s Telstra NATSIAA winners,” Dr Brett said.
MAGNT Director Adam Worrall welcomed the judges and encouraged audiences to experience the exhibition in Darwin.
“We are thrilled to have these incredible representatives join us for the 2026 Telstra NATSIAA,” Mr Worrall said.
“We are also incredibly excited to welcome visitors from across Australia and around the world to experience these works in Darwin.”
With 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.
The NATSIAA finalists announced on 15 May 2026 can be viewed at: https://www.magnt.net.au/telstra-natsiaa-2026
Telstra NATSIAA is supported by Creative Australia through the Visual Art, Craft and Design Partnership Framework.
The winners of the 2026 Telstra NATSIAA will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on Friday, 7 August 2026. With headline act Drifting Clouds this spectacular event, held on the lawns of MAGNT will be a celebration of culture, music and art.
The award categories are:
- Telstra Art Award – $100,000
- Telstra General Painting Award – $15,000
- Telstra Bark Painting Award – $15,000
- Telstra Work on Paper Award – $15,000
- Wandjuk Marika 3D Memorial Award (sponsored by Telstra) – $15,000
- Telstra Emerging Artist Award – $15,000
- Telstra Multimedia Award – $15,000
The Telstra People’s Choice Award, is a non-monetary award, chosen by popular vote throughout the duration of the exhibition.