Dr Bronwyn Bancroft and Stephen Pigram have both been awarded the Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence.

They accepted the awards at Creative Australia's 2026 First Nations Arts and Culture Awards in Gadigal Country (Sydney) on Wednesday 27 May 2026.

Bronwyn Bancroft is a Djanbun clan member of the Bundjalung Nation. She illustrated her first book in 1992 and has worked on nearly 40 children’s books. She was the Australian finalist for the Ezra Jack Keats Award for Excellence in Children’s Book Illustration (1994), received the Dromkeen Medal (2010), and the Australian finalist for the Hans Christian Andersen Award (Illustrator 2016). Bronwyn has a Diploma of Visual Arts and two Masters degrees from the University of Sydney (Studio Practice and Visual Art).

Stephen Pigram is a Blak musician and songwriter. He has been a member of Kuckles, Scrap Metal and The Pigram Brothers. He worked with Alex Lloyd and Alan Pigram on the soundtrack of Mad Bastards, a film he coproduced with Brendan Fletcher, David Jowsey and Alan Pigram. He released a solo album, Wanderer in 2013.

Executive Director First Nations Arts and Culture Franchesca Cubillo said: 

“The First Nations Arts and Culture Awards recognise the remarkable artists, cultural leaders and organisations whose work continues to shape and strengthen First Nations arts and culture nationally and internationally. This year’s recipients and shortlisted nominees represent excellence across generations and disciplines, from lifetime achievement and cultural leadership through to emerging voices and innovative First Nations-led businesses.” 

Magabala staff member and creator Skye Cusack was also a finalist in the Youth Award for Achievement in the Arts category.

Presented annually on 27 May, marking the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum and the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, the First Nations Arts and Culture Awards recognise the extraordinary contribution of First Nations artists, cultural leaders, arts workers and creative businesses across Australia.