A vibrant celebration of culture, storytelling and artistic expression is set to return to Tamworth, with the 2026 Joblink Plus First Nations Art Competition taking over the historic Tamworth Town Hall from 2–10 May.
Bringing together hundreds of works from First Nations artists across New South Wales and New Zealand, the exhibition has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated cultural events, transforming the Town Hall into a space filled with colour, creativity and deeply personal stories.
What began in 2017 as a modest initiative has steadily evolved into a large-scale showcase, a journey that Joblink Plus CEO Emily Roy says has been built on trust, community connection and a genuine commitment to artists.
“As is often the case with community-based events, it takes some time for the reputation and trust to be there,” she said.
“While Joblink Plus is a well-known organisation in the New England, when the competition was first pioneered, it was quite innovative, and new for people to associate with us. It actually started as a t-shirt competition.”
Over time, that foundation has been strengthened through hands-on support and encouragement at a grassroots level.
“I’ve seen our teams across the state get more creative each year – offering workshops, access to art supplies and simple personal encouragement to artists,” Ms Roy said.
“To see the exhibition now in a beautiful venue like the Town Hall is pretty great. The art deserves the best.”
This year’s exhibition features four categories: Painting and Drawing, Weaving and 3D, Youth (11–17 years) and Children (11 years and under) – highlighting both the diversity of mediums and the breadth of talent on display.
Visitors can expect everything from intricate woven works and bold contemporary paintings to deeply personal pieces that reflect connection to Country, culture and identity.
“Often the art that’s created tells a story of the country it was created on or is something deeply personal to the artist,” Ms Roy said.
“Taking the time to celebrate that means recognising and celebrating country and stories and culture – and ultimately people. Which is to say, ‘we see you, we celebrate you and all that you are’.”
A defining feature of the competition is its strong focus on accessibility and respect for artists. There are no entry fees, and importantly, no commission is taken on sales, meaning artists retain 100 per cent of the proceeds from any work sold.
“The fact we don’t charge a sales commission or an entry fee is obviously a drawcard,” Ms Roy said.
“But to be candid, it was incredibly important to Joblink Plus to not profit from the creative labour of First Nations people. We’re here to enable artists to reap the financial benefits of their work when they want to.”
That approach has helped create meaningful opportunities, particularly for artists in regional and remote communities.
“We hear some very powerful stories about how connecting with art has unlocked a deeper connection to culture,” she said.
“For some, it’s about seeing their work displayed in a professional setting and watching people engage with it. For others, it can open doors, whether that’s building confidence, expanding networks or even turning their art into a business venture.”
Nurturing emerging talent is also central to the event, with dedicated youth and children’s categories encouraging participation across generations.
“The tradition of sharing skills, stories and cultural expression between generations is foundational,” Ms Roy said.
“We wanted the event to be something families could be part of together. Sometimes when children start creating, it reminds the grown-ups to make space for creativity too.”
“It’s powerful for young people to have a platform where their voice is heard, where they’re encouraged to express themselves and tell their story.”
School groups are warmly welcomed throughout the exhibition, with workshop opportunities designed to inspire creativity and deepen understanding of First Nations culture.
“The hope is that students feel like art is worth their time and attention,” Ms Roy said.
“The world is competing for their focus, but we hope they walk away inspired, not just by what they’ve seen, but motivated to create something of their own.”
Behind the scenes, delivering an event of this scale is no small feat, requiring significant time, resources and collaboration.
“It’s a major commitment on the Joblink Plus calendar,” Ms Roy said.
“This year we’ve had dedicated staff helping with cataloguing and liaising with schools, and we’ve worked with partners for display and logistics. Tamworth Regional Council has also been a great support.”
“There are people on our team who have been part of this since the very first event, and the level of care and love for it is stronger than ever.”
For first-time visitors, Ms Roy says the exhibition offers an opportunity to both challenge perceptions and experience something truly special.
“You’ll be struck by the diversity in the art as well as the skill,” she said.
“For many Australians, we can have a somewhat narrow view of what First Nations art is – so to have that viewpoint expanded makes this exhibition worthwhile.”
“You might see an emerging artist who, in a few years, is exhibiting nationally or even internationally. The calibre of the art is as good as anything you’ll see in a city.”
Alongside the professional works, there’s also plenty of joy to be found in the creations of the youngest artists.
“You’ll see the work of little ones who have gotten their hands very messy while creating – and we love that,” she said.
At its heart, the exhibition is about far more than art – it’s about connection, identity and the value of creative expression in everyday life.
“In times of high stress, when value can be measured in purely economic terms, an event like this carries proudly the message that art and expression and creativity is worth it,” Ms Roy said.
“It’s worth your time, your effort and your labour – both as an artist and as a member of a community.”
“Australia is privileged to be the land of the world’s oldest continuous, living, evolving culture – and here in Kamilaroi country, that expression is rich and worth celebrating.”
The 2026 Joblink Plus First Nations Art Competition runs from 2–10 May at Tamworth Town Hall. Visitors are encouraged to drop in, explore the exhibition and perhaps take home a piece of art with a story to tell.
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