In partnership with the Central Land Council, Desart presents the fourth Vincent Lingiari Art Award (VLAA). The theme for the VLAA 2026 exhibition is Our Country, Our Culture: 50 years of Land Rights in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NT) 1976.
The VLAA is curated by Kelli Cole (Warumungu, Luritja) and is a prestigious exhibition which offers three awards:
- The Vincent Lingiari Art Award valued at $10,000
- The Vincent Lingiari CLC Delegates Choice Award for $2000
- The Desart People’s Choice Award valued at $2000
Entries must respond to the VLAA 2026 exhibition theme – Our Country, Our Culture: 50 years of Land Rights. Entries include but are not limited to paintings, works on paper, sculptures, ceramics, photography, textiles and weaving.
Entries close Friday 10 April 2026 with finalists advised Tuesday 21 April 2026.
The VLAA 2026 exhibition will be held Monday 17 August – Sunday 18 October at the Araluen Arts Centre in Mparntwe/Alice Springs. Winners will be announced on Thursday 10 September in celebration with the Official Opening of the Desert Mob 2026 exhibition.
Eligibility:
The Vincent Lingiari Art Award (VLAA) is open to Desart member Art Centres and the Karungkarni Art Centre to enter on behalf of artists whose traditional lands are located in the Central Land Council (CLC) region and independent artists living in the CLC region.
For Desart member Art Centres outside the CLC region (South Australia and Western Australia), works will be accepted on the basis the artist/s traditional lands are located (in full or in part) within the CLC region and that the work reflects this connection.
Entries for works by independent artists must be submitted by the artist’s local or relevant Art Centre on their behalf.
Art Centres may enter one work per artist as an individual may also enter a work by an artist as part of a collective with other eligible artists. Art Centres must discuss their ideas for the VLAA 2026 exhibition artworks with Curator, Kelli Cole.
The artist, or the representative Art Centre on the artist’s behalf, must agree to the Declaration and Conditions that accompany the Entry Form.
For more information and to apply, please contact:
Curatorial: Kelli Cole | [email protected]
