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Now in its 42nd year, Telstra NATSIAA 2025 continues honouring Indigenous Australian artists' creative strength and brilliance. With 71 finalists chosen from 216 entries, this year's awards reflect the diversity and vitality of artistic expression across the continent. Presented by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory and supported by Principal Partner Telstra, Telstra NATSIAA 2025 is the longest-running awards program dedicated to First Nations artists. It stands as a powerful platform for truth-telling, celebration and artistic recognition.
Voices from across the country: Telstra NATSIAA 2025 Finalists
The finalists for Telstra NATSIAA 2025 come from every corner of Australia, each bringing a unique voice and cultural story. Among the shortlisted artists are 38 from the Northern Territory, 10 from Western Australia, eight from South Australia, six from Victoria, five from Queensland, three from New South Wales and one from the ACT. This broad reach demonstrates the awards' profound connection to communities across the country. Fourteen finalists are recognised in the Emerging Artist category, reinforcing the importance of supporting new talent and continuing the future of Indigenous Australian art.
Art as connection: Culture, memory, and meaning
Across painting, textiles, sculpture, video and installation, the works featured in Telstra NATSIAA 2025 speak to enduring relationships with country, cultural inheritance, and contemporary lived experience. These artwords are not just visual expressions. They carry story, memory, and identity. The exhibition recognises the influence and legacy of First Nations artists who continue to shape the national dialogue through bold and original work. Audiences are invited to witness the ways in which Indigenous Australian art continues to shift and expand, while remaining grounded in tradition and knowledge systems.
A public exhibition with national significance
Telstra NATSIAA 2025 will open at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin on June 21st and run through to January 26th 2026. The winners across seven categories, including the major $100,000 Telstra Art Award, will be announced during a special ceremony on August 8th. Visitors to the exhibition will also have the opportunity to vote in the Telstra People's Choice Award, which brings the public's voice into the awards experience. Telstra NATSIAA 2025 provides a rare chance to view more than 70 significant works in one place, offering an experience that is both educational and deeply moving.
Be part of the story
Telstra NATSIAA 2025 brings forward the voices, vision, and strength of First Nations artists whose work shapes cultural understanding across Australia. The MAGNT website has the complete list of finalists and information about the exhibition. Engaging with Indigenous Australian art is an opportunity to witness creative leadership and reflect on stories carried through form, material, and message.
