Rhoda Roberts Trailblazer Award - 2027

The Rhoda Roberts Trailblazer Award is a new category within Creative Australia First Nations Arts and Culture Awards, established in memory of the late Rhoda Roberts AO, one of Australia's most influential First Nations cultural leaders, broadcasters, festival directors and arts advocates. The award will be presented for the first time in 2027. 

The award honours the legacy, leadership and transformational contribution of Rhoda Roberts AO. Throughout her career, Rhoda demonstrated courage, cultural authority, innovation and an extraordinary ability to create new opportunities for First Nations artists and communities. Her influence extended beyond artistic achievement and advocacy through her work creating pathways for others, fostering innovation, leading major cultural events and festivals, and building national and international connections that strengthened the visibility and impact of First Nations arts and culture. 

The Rhoda Roberts Trailblazer Award recognises a First Nations leader whose visionary work, innovation and influence have transformed the arts and cultural sector through pioneering approaches and the creation of new opportunities for others. It celebrates individuals whose leadership has opened doors, expanded opportunities and driven lasting change for First Nations artists, cultural practitioners and communities. 

The award seeks to recognise individuals whose impact extends beyond their own artistic achievements or advocacy efforts and whose work has made a significant contribution to the development and growth of the sector. This may include creating new pathways and opportunities, leading innovative initiatives, working across multiple artforms and disciplines, building cultural and industry connections, and expanding opportunities for First Nations artists nationally and internationally. 

In recognition of Rhodas' legacy, the award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated visionary leadership and whose contribution has left a lasting impact and effected substantial change across the First Nations arts and cultural landscape, creating opportunities and possibilities (that didn't exist prior) for future generations.