First Nations Art Prize returns for 2025!
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists with a connection to north-east Victoria or the Murray NSW region are invited to enter the 2025 First Nations Art Prize, with artworks responding to the theme of WATER.
Held biennially, the prize celebrates the talent of local First Nations artists and highlights the rich creative community within our region. Don't miss this opportunity to share your work and be part of this vibrant showcase.
This year's Art prize will be open to the public from 28 October to 28 November 2025.
Our partners
This year, North East Water, Murray Arts and Burraja Gallery, along with additional sponsors to be confirmed, will offer a minimum of two Acquisitional Art Prizes to local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.
Murray Arts is the peak body and support agency for arts and cultural development within the Murray NSW & North East Victoria region. In July 2016, they launched Burraja Gallery, the regions only dedicated local Aboriginal art gallery and are now working towards an independent First Nations Led Gallery.
About the partnership
In 2017, the first North East Water Art prize was realised with Murray Arts and Burraja Gallery and went on to hold events in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
Each Art Prize has brought on new partners and the event continues to evolve and grow. From mid-2024 to early 2025, a retrospective exhibition named Land, Water Country of the previous winners was held at Hyphen Gallery in Wodonga.
The First Nations Art Prize is an opportunity to engage with local Aboriginal artists and to showcase the strong creative community existing in our region.
Artist guidelines
To view the artist guidelines click below.
Artist guidelines
Contacts
Artist Kelly Lock (Boandik Nation) with North East Water Chair Stephen Brown and Managing Director Jo Murdoch. Art: Where the River Flows (North East Water Art Prize winner 2023)