Bronwyn Bancroft honoured with Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence Award
09-06-2026
ACHAA Congratulates Dr Bronwyn Bancroft AM for her Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence.
As a proud Bundjalung woman with a career spanning more than 50 years, the award recognises Bronwyn’s significant achievements as an artist, designer, illustrator, author, mentor and cultural leader advocating for Aboriginal rights and cultural representation.
Amongst achievements too numerous to include here, Bronwyn has been part of national and international touring exhibitions, and her works are held in major Australian galleries including the National Gallery of Australia and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. She established Designer Aboriginals in 1985 and remains a Director. Bronwyn is also the author and/or illustrator of more than 50 Children’s books.
A founding member of Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative, Bronwyn remains engaged as their Senior Strategist in a voluntary capacity. Boomalli honoured her with a major retrospective exhibition I am Gurgun last year.
Browyn receives her Red Ochre Award as part of Creative Australia’s First Nations Arts and Culture Awards acknowledge outstanding achievements in arts and culture.
Also honoured with 2026 Red Ochre Awards for Lifetime Achievement are Yawuru singer-songwriter Stephen Pigram, artist and activist Dr Djambawa Marawili AM, Hetti Kemarre Perkins for Lifetime Achievement in Cultural Advocacy and Leadership. John Harvey was named Established Artist of the Year, Balya Productions received the First Nations Arts & Culture Business Innovation Award, and Hayley Millar Baker was recognised with the Youth Award for Achievement in the Arts.
Also announced during the ceremony at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art is the establishment of a new permanent category, created in honour of Rhoda Roberts AO. As a visionary cultural leader, truth-teller and champion of First Nations voices, the Rhoda Roberts Trailblazer Award will recognise individuals who have made a profound impact on the First Nations arts and cultural landscape through sovereign storytelling, advocacy and leadership.
The First Nations Arts and Culture Awards have long been considered the most eminent recognition as considered by peers. They continue to grow in prominence each year and the achievements of other nominees indicate how significant these awards have become. Congratulations to all nominees and winners.
