The 2025 First Nations Arts and Culture Awards has named soprano Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO and poet and activist Lionel Fogarty as winners of the Red Ochre Awards for Lifetime Achievement for artistic excellence. Musician and educator Dr Shelley Morris AO and cultural arts champion Lily Shearer were similarly honoured for their cultural advocacy and leadership, respectively.
The awards ceremony was held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on the evening of Tuesday 28 May 2025, presented by Creative Australia.
This year, three new categories were introduced to the First Nations Arts and Culture Awards in order to reflect the growing diversity of First Nations arts leadership across generations and industries.
Filmmaker Gutingarra Yunupingu received the Youth Award for Achievement in the Arts, while Tony Albert was awarded Established Artist of the Year Award.
Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre was honoured with the First Nations Arts and Culture Business Innovation Award.
Two 2025 First Nations Fellowships went to trailblazing performer Ben Graetz, widely recognised for his drag persona Miss Ellaneous, and singer/songwriter and music producer, Candice Lorrae.
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Who were the Award winners?
Here is the full list of recipients and those shortlisted:
Red Ochre Awards for Lifetime Achievement
For Artistic Excellence
Prof Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO
Lionel Fogarty
For Cultural Advocacy and Leadership
Dr Shellie Morris AO
Lily Shearer
Youth Award for Achievement in the Arts
Recipient: Gutingarra Yunupingu
Shortlisted: Bebe Oliver, Aidan Hartshorn
Established Artist of the Year Award
Recipient: Tony Albert
Shortlisted: Troy Cassar-Daley, Yhonnie Scarce
First Nations Arts & Culture Business Innovation Award
Recipient: Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre
Shortlisted: Blaklash, mili mili
About the Awards
The First Nations Arts and Culture Awards are presented each each year by Creative Australia on the anniversary of the 1967 referendum and the opening of National Reconciliation Week. They honour First Nations excellence and the outstanding contributions of First Nations artists to arts, culture, and community.
Franchesca Cubillo, Executive Director First Nations Arts and Culture, Creative Australia, said: “These First Nations individuals and organisations represent the strength, depth and diversity of First Nations creative practices across the country. We take this moment to congratulate and celebrate these remarkable artists and thank them for leading the way for future generations.”
