The Australia Council is calling for nominations to recognise outstanding achievement in Indigenous arts at the 2016 National Indigenous Arts Awards. These awards celebrate, support and pay homage to the significant contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists make to the artistic vibrancy and cultural life of Australia. The prestigious annual awards celebrate the work and contributions of exceptional Indigenous artists, and will be presented on Friday May 27 next year. The awards consist of the Red Ochre and the Dreaming.

The Red Ochre Award is Australia’s most esteemed peer-assessed award for an Indigenous artist. It pays tribute to a senior Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artist for lifetime achievement in the arts and their outstanding contributions to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture, both nationally and internationally.

The Dreaming Award recognises an inspiring young Indigenous artist aged 18-26 years and supports them to create a major body of work through mentoring and partnerships, either nationally or internationally.

The Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Fellowship will also be awarded at the National Indigenous Arts Awards ceremony to an artist to create a major work.  Applications closed in September.

See online for more information. Nominations for the Red Ochre and Dreaming awards close on Thursday November 12 2015.