Introduced in 2004, the VIAA were developed to:

  • Support and acknowledge Victoria’s Indigenous artists
  • Raise the profile of the high quality and diversity of Indigenous art produced within Victoria.
  • Showcase and increase the recognition of south eastern Indigenous art and build the Victorian Indigenous art industry by exhibiting it to wider audiences and potential buyers.
  • The 2008 award winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on the 28th November 2008 and published on this website.

There are six award categories:

  • Deadly Art Award – open to two and three dimensional works with cash prize of $10,000 plus $5,000 professional development support. Supported by Arts Victoria.
  • Koorie Heritage Trust Acquisition Award – open to two and three dimensional works by artists who have not previously held a solo exhibition. Prize of $5,000 and in-kind support for a solo exhibition to the value of $5,000. Supported by Koorie Heritage Trust.
  • NGV Acquisitive Prize – awarded to an outstanding independent or collaborative work. Open to two and three dimensional works. Prize $5,000. Suported by the National Gallery of Victoria.
  • Lin Onus Award – for young artists aged 18030 for two and three dimensional works. Prize $3,000 and art materials to the value of $2,000. Supported by Peter Brock Foundation.
  • Victorian Cultural Heritage Award – awarded for a work which is the result of research and/or oral history into cultural heritage, customs, ceremonies and/or events relating to the Aboriginal people of Victoria. Open to two and three dimensional works and creative writing, where writing is part of the visual artwork. Prize $5,000 sponsored by the Department of Planning and Community Development, Aboriginal Affairs Victoria.
  • Boscia Galleries Award for Photography – This is an acquisitive award for two and three dimensional photographic works. Prize of $2,000 plus $1,000 in photographic supplies and in-kind support for development of a solo exhibition in a commercial gallery to the value of $5,000. Sponsored by Michele and Anthony Boscia.

Previous catalogues are available for download on the website.