The reimagined Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards Ceremony is set to be announced online for the first time in the Awards’ history at 6pm AEST on Friday 7 August.
65 Telstra NATSIAA artist finalists will discover if they are one of the coveted award winners of Australia’s most prestigious and longest running Indigenous art awards this year.
“Just as we have done throughout our enduring partnership, MAGNT has collaborated with Telstra on these nationally significant awards recognising contemporary Indigenous artists. The coronavirus pandemic has posed challenges but our commitment to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artistic practice continues to be unwavering. It is essential to share the breadth of artwork, rich culture and heritage with all Australians. I thank the artists and the art centres for their flexibility as we deliver a brand new online Awards Ceremony and dynamic virtual exhibition not to be missed,” said MAGNT Director Marcus Schutenko.
Finalists include 25 from the NT, 16 from WA, 16 from SA and 8 from QLD, NSW, ACT and Victoria. 11 emerging artists and many
distinguished senior artists from remote and urban regions of Australia encompass this year’s exhibition.
“I invite you to celebrate with us by connecting to this extraordinary Awards Ceremony broadcast hosted by Brooke Boney. Immerse in the power and emotion of Telstra NATSIAA by experiencing this year’s artworks in a state of the art virtual exhibition. Audiences nationally can celebrate and be part of the exciting moments of Telstra NATSIAA this year. The reimagined Awards Ceremony enables Telstra NATSIAA to reach an even broader audience, giving the winning artists and finalists the acknowledgement they deserve,” said Mr Schutenko.
Gamilaroi woman and TV presenter Brooke Boney will announce the winners of the coveted awards amounting to $80,000 in prize money. The Awards Ceremony will feature the winning artists in this years’ Telstra NATSIAA, so join them to be part of the highly anticipated announcement moment.
Experience the all new virtual gallery for an immersive experience. Discover stories of culture, tradition and country.
“Each year the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards delivers us something different in terms of art experiences, and the 2020 event is being held in a year that is anything but normal. The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the critical importance of telecommunications networks and connected technologies and so I am particularly excited that Telstra NATSIAA will be announced online and will include a new virtual gallery. This will allow more Australians to experience the exhibition than ever before and I look forward to visiting the site as soon as it comes online,” said Telstra CEO Andrew Penn.
NT Government Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Lauren Moss, said the Awards are an important chance to recognise the talent of Aboriginal artists.
“The Awards provide a platform for Indigenous artists to share their talents and culture through contemporary art to a growing, and now online audience.
Each year, this exhibition captures the attention of not only the local community but of the nation, bringing together exceptionally beautiful and inspiring work from some of this country’s best emerging and established artists.
Thanks to this year’s Awards going online and the artworks to feature in the virtual gallery, the potential audience is bigger than ever, offering greater exposure and more opportunities for the featured artists.”
Connect to natsiaa.com.au on Friday 7 August, 6pm AEST (5.30pm CST) for the live Awards Ceremony. Available on-demand thereafter.
