Grants & Fellowships / Verified 7 September 2026
Creative Australia's Established Artist of the Year Award recognises Australian First Nations artists with 20+ years of continuous artistic practice across community arts, dance, experimental arts, literature, multi-arts, music, theatre, or visual arts. The nomination-based award is free to enter, with the deadline September 15, 2026. You must be nominated by an Australian resident or Australian-based organisation and cannot have received this award previously or been shortlisted for Creative Australia's First Nations Arts and Culture Award in the past three years.
Every fact, with its receipt
What the organizer actually says
Deadline. September 15, 2026
“Nomination opens Thursday 28 May 2026. Applications close Tuesday 15 September 2026, 3pm AEST. Notifications late January 2027. Award ceremony 27 May 2027. Must register minimum 2 business days prior to closing date.”✓ Checked on the organizer’s site
Cost to apply. Free to apply
“Free”On file — not confirmed on a public page
What you get. Artist of the year recognition
“$25,000 (one award)”✓ Checked on the organizer’s site
Who can apply. Nominee: Australian First Nations artist/arts worker, 18+ years old, with 20+ years continued artistic practice in community arts, dance, experimental arts, literature, multi-arts, music, theatre and/or visual arts, based in Australia. Nomi
How they choose.
“Independent panel of First Nations Industry Advisors assesses nominations against Merit (artistic achievement, body of work, 20 years practice) and Impact (contribution to First Nations arts development, adherence to Protocols for Cultural IP, leadership, peer recognition).”✓ Checked on the organizer’s site
Members only
Whether this is worth your entry fee, your shipping, and the weeks it takes to put an application together depends on work only you have…
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