Desart, the peak body for Central Australian Aboriginal art centres, has announced the full program of events for Desert Mob 2026, to be held on Arrernte Country in Mparntwe/Alice Springs from Thursday September 10 to Sunday October 25.
In 2026, the Desert Mob exhibition coincides with the Vincent Lingiari Art Award exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NT) 1976, proudly presented by Desart and the Central Land Council.
"I can think of no better way to celebrate half a century of land rights than to once again partner with Desart in presenting the Vincent Lingiari Art Award," said Central Land Council chairperson Warren Williams.
"The land rights act helped our land councils win back more than half of the Northern Territory.
"For half a century the Central Land Council has spoken up strongly for Aboriginal people in Central Australia, protecting their rights and interests, shielding them from harmful and ever-changing government laws and policies and contributing to self-determination and Aboriginal-led policy solutions.
"The power of our art has always been central to our political power. We have tendered our art as evidence to back up land claims. We have worn our art on our bodies to show where we belong and that we are the right people for the country."
Desert Mob is one of the nation's oldest and most extraordinary celebrations of Aboriginal art and culture and, in the company of the Vincent Lingiari Art Award in 2026, offers a significant program in the Australian art calendar that will see thousands of people travel from far and wide to share in the richness and diversity of desert art, story and resilience in the heart of Australia.
Co-curated by Hetti Perkins (Arrernte and Kalkadoon) and Aspen Beattie (Luritja, Warumungu and Yawuru), the Desert Mob 2026 exhibition brings together hundreds of artists from 35 art centres located across the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia.
"Desert Mob has had a unique presence in the Australian cultural landscape for 35 years and enjoys a special place in the lives of Central Australian Aboriginal communities," Ms Perkins said.
"The descendants of artists who set up art centres throughout the region and participated in early Desert Mob exhibitions are now continuing this remarkable legacy.
"Desert Mob not only offers artists the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of their elders, it has been a springboard to national and international recognition."
Honouring the legacy of Vincent Lingiari, the Wave Hill Walk-Off and the fight for land rights, this year's Vincent Lingiari Art Award theme 'Our country, our culture: 50 years of land rights', celebrates the landmark legislation and its ongoing impact for Aboriginal communities across the Northern Territory.
Kelli Cole (Warumungu and Luritja) is the curator of the prestigious award.
The winners of the Vincent Lingiari Art Award and the CLC Delegate's Choice Award will be announced at the Desert Mob Official Opening celebration on Thursday the 10th of September.
The winner of the Desart People's Choice Award will be announced on Sunday the 18th of October, the closing day of the Award exhibition.
The Desert Mob 2026 program features the renowned Desert Mob opening night and exhibition, a captivating day of artist talks, the vibrant Art Market and After Dark, an evening of art, food and music - all to be held at the Araluen Arts Centre.
Artists will be in town to meet visitors and introduce their artworks at a range of free and ticketed public programs and satellite events across Mparntwe including workshops, talks, performances and more.
Desart is the Association of Central Australian Aboriginal Art Centres. It delivers programs that support the development and maintenance of strong governance, administration and infrastructure.
Established in 1992, incorporated in 1993, the association now counts as their members 39 independently governed Aboriginal art centres representing over 8000 artists.
The Desert Mob 2026 program is now live at desertmob.com with tickets for select events on sale.
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