First Nations Art Prize
Every two years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists with a connection to north-east Victoria or the Murray NSW region are invited to enter the North East Water First Nations Art Prize, with artworks responding to the theme of WATER.
The biennial prize celebrates the talent of local First Nations artists and highlights the rich creative community within our region.
Entries for the next art prize are expected to open in mid-2027.
Our partners
The event is a partnership between North East Water, Murray Arts, Burraja Gallery and the North East atchment Management Authority.
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, 2023 and 2025.
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.
2025 art prize winner
The 2025 art prize was awarded to Tamara Murray (Maurara Barkindji, Yorta Yorta, Duduroa) for Yorta Yorta Dreaming.
2025 Art Prize Winner: Tamara Murray (Maurara Barkindji, Yorta Yorta, Duduroa) with Yorta Yorta Dreaming