Prestigious WA arts and culture award calls for public nominations

  • State Cultural Treasures Awards nominations now open
  • Acknowledging the lifelong contribution of senior WA artists and organisations
  • 2022 recipients to be announced at an awards event in September
  • The McGowan Government is proud to bestow the State Cultural Treasure Awards (formerly State Living Treasures) in 2022. Public nominations of artists and organisations are open until Tuesday April 5, 2022, online at dlgsc.wa.gov.au/State-Cultural-Treasures-Awards.

    Created in 1998 and presented in 2004 and 2015, the awards acknowledge the lifelong contribution of senior Western Australian artists to their art form and our community.

    For the first time in 2022, nominations can include community arts organisations with more than 25 years of operation in WA and a demonstrated commitment to the WA arts sector.

    Submissions are invited that reflect the diversity of art forms, including visual arts, dance, design, music, theatre, film, writing and community impact, in recognition of the extraordinary talent of homegrown artists and their contribution to the sector and the WA community.

    An award ceremony is planned for September 2022 to formally announce and recognise the artists.

    For information about the selection criteria and to make a nomination, please visit the Awards’ page on the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries website.

    As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:

    “Western Australia has long been known for its incredibly talented creatives and community arts organisations.

    “After a challenging few years, it’s important to acknowledge the contributions made by our senior creatives to the WA arts sector and the broader WA community.

    “Arts and culture activities provide much needed social connection and support economic wellbeing. The 2021 Arts Monitor Survey found that 87 per cent of people said arts makes them feel good and 78 per cent feel that arts is valuable.

    “It is my pleasure to honour those who have committed their career to improving our collective wellbeing.”

    Former award recipients

    2015: Faith Clayton, Stephanie Coleman, Robert Drewe, Pippin Drysdale, Alan Griffiths, Joan London, Dr Mary McLean, Noriko Yoshimoto, Chrissie Parrott, Herbert Pinter, Nalda Searles, Lew Smith, Miriam Stannage, Dr Richard Walley, Dave Warner.

    2004: Alan Alder, Dr Lucette Aldous, Janangoo Butcher Cherel, Jimmy Chi, Professor Jeffrey Howlett AM, Tom (T.A.G) Hungerford, Doris Pilkington Garimara, Dr Carol Rudyard, Professor Roger Smalley, Leonard ‘Jack’ Williams, Richard Woldendorp, Fay Zwicky.

    1998: Madame Kira Bousloff, Madame Alice Carrard, Peter Cowan, Jack Davis, Margaret Ford, Vaughan Hanly, Elizabeth Jolley, Robert Juniper, Queenie McKenzie, Paul Sampi, Howard Taylor.

    /Public Release. View in full here.