The National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award (NATSIAA) Australia's longest running Indigenous art award. Established in 1984 by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin, the annual award is commonly referred to as the 'Telstra Award' or 'Telstra Prize'. It is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists working in all mediums.
The National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award (NATSIAA) was established in 1984 by the Curator of Aboriginal Art and Material Culture, Margie West with the support of the MAGNT Director Colin Jack-Hinton. Telstra has sponsored the awards since 1992.
In 2000, the prize money for the main award was doubled from $20,000 to $40,000. It was increased to $50,000 in 2014 making it the largest prize for any Indigenous art award.
There have also been two traveling exhibitions, in 2000 and 2003, enabling up to 50 selected works to be shown in regional galleries around Australia, promoting the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art to a wide audience across the country.
There are five categories of awards:
Telstra Award - $50,000
Telstra General Painting Award – $5,000
Telstra Work on Paper Award – $5,000
Telstra Bark Painting Award – $5,000
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (sponsored by Telstra) – $5,000
Telstra Youth Award – $5,000
2016: Harold Thomas – Tribal Abductions, Acrylic on linen
2015: Jukuja Dolly Snell – Kurtal, Acrylic on linen
2014: Tony Albert - We Can Be Heroes, photograph
2013: Jenni Kemarre Martiniello - Golden Brown Reeds Fish Trap, hot blown glass, canes
2012: Timothy Cook - Kulama, natural ochres on canvas
2011: Dickie Minyintiri - Kanyalakutjina (Euro tracks), synthetic polymer paint on canvas
2010: Jimmy Donegan - Papa Tjukurpa, Pukara, synthetic polymer paint on canvas
2009: Danie Mellor - From Rite to Ritual, mixed media on paper
2008: Makinti Napanangka - no title, synthetic polymer paint on linen
2007: Dennis Nona - Ubirikubiri, cast bronze
2006: Ngoia Napaltjarri Pollard - Swamps west of Nyirripi, synthetic polymer paint on Belgian linen
2005: Blackstone Tjanpi Weavers: Kantjupayi Benson, N. Donegan, Angaliya Mitchell, Margaret Donegan, Melissa Donegan, Mary Smith, Freda Lane, Diedre Lane, Elaine Lane, Wendy Lane, Janet Lane, Janet Forbes, Shirley Bennet, Gail Nelson, Angela Lyon, Sarkaway Lyon, Ruby Forbes and Jean Lane - Tjanpi Grass Toyota, desert grass, jute string and mixed media
2004: Gulumbu Yunupingu - Garak, The Universe, natural pigments on wood (three hollow logs)
2003: Richard Bell - Scientia E Metaphysica (Bell's Theorem), synthetic polymer paint on canvas
2002: Gawirrin Gumana - Birrkuda ringgitj (Wild honey design), natural pigments on wood
2001: Dorothy Napangardi - Salt on Mina Mina, synthetic polymer paint on linen
2000: Kenny Williams Tjampitjinpa - Snake Tjukurrpa, synthetic polymer paint on linen
1999: Long Tom Tjapanangka - Ulampuwarru (Haasts Bluff Mountain), synthetic polymer paint on linen
1998: Jody Broun - White Fellas Come Talk About the Land, synthetic polymer paint on canvas
1997: Yanggarriny Wunungmurra - Gangan, natural pigments on bark
1996: Kathleen Petyarre - Storm in Atnangker country II, synthetic polymer paint on linen
1995: Pantjiti Mary McLean - Ngura walkumunu (Being in a good camp), synthetic polymer paint on canvas
1994: Daisy Andrews - Lumpu lumpu (wet time) landscape, synthetic polymer paint on paper
1993: Paddy Fordham Wainburranga - Eagle Hawk and Crow, natural pigments on paper
1992: Les Midikuria - Borlong the rainbow serpent, natural pigments on bark
1991: Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri - Bandicoot Dreaming, synthetic polymer paint on canvas
1990: Mutitjpuy Mununggurr - The Djang'kawu at Balana, natural pigments on bark
1989: Pansy Napangardi - Yipala bush bananas, synthetic polymer paint on canvas
1988: Pauleen Woods Nakamarra - Yarla, Yam Dreaming, synthetic polymer paint on canvas
1987: Djardi Ashley Wodalpa - Blue tongue lizard, natural pigments on bark
1986: Frank Jakamarra Nelson - Living together, working together, synthetic polymer paint on canvas
1985: Djawida Nadjongorle - Nawurra, natural pigments on bark (joint winner)
1985: Uta Uta Tjangala - Tjanangkamurramurra, synthetic polymer paint on canvas (joint winner)
1985: Kaye Haywood - Untitled, batik on silk (joint winner)
1984: Michael Nelson Tjakamarra - Three ceremonies, synthetic polymer paint on canvas
