The Broken Hill City Art Gallery, Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Health Corporation and West Darling Arts are proud to announce that entries are now open for the 2026 Maari Ma Indigenous Art Awards (MMIAA).
The annual, non-acquisitive Awards provide an important platform to showcase and celebrate the strength, diversity and creativity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists living across the Maari Ma / West Darling Arts region.
Each year, the Awards bring together artists of all ages and stages of practice, presenting works that share stories of culture, identity, Country, community and lived experience across a broad range of artistic mediums.
Last year's Awards saw Dave Doyle named the 2025 Overall Winner for Eternal Registry, a powerful reflection on memory and Country inspired by ancient hand stencils in Aboriginal cave art. Created using pigments made from local timbers and charcoal, the work speaks to generations of connection and the enduring presence of ancestors.
The 2026 Awards continue this celebration of First Nations art and culture, with artists invited to submit works across painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, mixed media and other forms of creative practice. Entry is free, and eligible artists may submit up to two works.
Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Health Corporation CEO Richard Weston said the Awards provide an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate creativity across the region.
"The Maari Ma Indigenous Art Awards have become an important annual celebration of our artists, culture and community," Mr Weston said.
"Art is a powerful way of sharing culture, knowledge, stories and connection to Country, and these Awards provide an opportunity for artists to express those connections in their own way and share them with a wider audience.
"Maari Ma is proud to continue supporting this important platform, and we encourage artists of all ages and levels of experience from across our region to enter and be part of the 2026 exhibition."
Broken Hill City Art Gallery and Museum Manager Kathy Graham said the Gallery was proud to once again support the Awards.
"The Maari Ma Indigenous Art Awards are an important part of our annual program, celebrating the creativity of First Nations artists from across our region," Ms Graham said.
"We're looking forward to welcoming artists and their work back to the Gallery for another wonderful exhibition."
Key Dates
- Entries open: Tuesday, 1 September 2026
- Entries close: Friday, 23 October 2026
- Artwork delivery deadline: Friday, 23 October 2026, between 10 am and 4 pm
- Opening night and award announcements: Friday, 30 October 2026
- Exhibition: 30 October 2026 - 7 February 2027
Categories & Prizes
- Open / Overall Winner (all mediums) - $5,000
- 2D Winner (2D works only) - $2,500
- Sculptural Winner (3D works only) - $2,500
- Emerging Winner (all mediums) - $2,000
- Nhuungku Winner (all mediums) - $2,000
- People's Choice (all mediums) - $2,000
- School Combined Entry (all mediums) - Art Prize Pack valued at $2,000
- Young Artist (16-21) (all mediums) - Art Prize Pack valued at $1,000
- Young Artist (Under 15) (all mediums) - Art Prize Pack valued at $500, sponsored by West Darling Arts
Entry Details
Artists may submit a maximum of two works created within the last 12 months, with a maximum size of 1500 mm × 1500 mm. Entrants must reside within the Maari Ma region, and the Awards are non-acquisitive.
Completed artworks must be delivered to the Broken Hill City Art Gallery, 404-408 Argent Street, Broken Hill, no later than Friday, 23 October 2026, between 10 am and 4 pm.
The 2026 Maari Ma Indigenous Art Awards Exhibition will open on Friday, 30 October 2026, with the official announcement of this year's award recipients, and will remain on exhibition until Sunday, 7 February 2027.
Entries can be completed online via the Broken Hill City Art Gallery website, with entry forms also available from the Gallery.
