This Award recognises excellence in Australian First Nations artistic practice and outstanding achievement in the arts for an established artist with more then ten of continued artistic practice.

Creative Australia are pleased to invite nominations for the 2026 First Nations Established Artist of the Year Award. Valued at $25,000 for one recipient, this Award recognises the achievement of one First Nations artist in community arts and cultural development, dance, experimental arts, literature, multi-arts, music, theatre and/or visual arts with ten or more years of continued artistic practice.

Creative Australia are seeking nominations from individuals, arts and community organisations. The recipient will be presented with the Award at the First Nations Arts and Culture Awards ceremony to be held on Wednesday 27 May 2026.

This initiative is part of Creative Australia's First Nations First industry development programs. The programs have been developed in response to extensive community consultation on priorities and needs of the sector in response to Pillar 1, First Nations First - Revive, the Australian Government's shared vision for Australia: a place for every story and a story for every place. These initiatives aim to elevate existing programs and deliver new funding that builds on a 50-year legacy of First Nations leadership and investment at Creative Australia.

Who can be nominated:

You are eligible for this award if:

• you are over the age of 18 years old
• you are an artist or arts worker in community arts and cultural development, dance, experimental arts, literature, multi-arts, music, theatre and/or visual arts with ten or more years of continued artistic practice.
• you identify as Australian First Nations
• you are based in Australia.

Please note: we do not accept self-nominations in this award category.

• Phone: +61 2 9215 9163
• Email: alana.goodwin@creative.gov.au