The State Cultural Treasures Awards (formerly State Living Treasures Awards) acknowledge outstanding lifelong contributions of senior Western Australian artists to their art form and the community.
The concept of the State Living Treasures originated in Japan in the post-World War II period, when the title became the highest honour attainable by a senior traditional artist. Since then, the Living Treasures awards programs have been adopted worldwide to honour influential elders of the artistic community.
The Western Australian State Cultural Treasures Awards (formerly State Living Treasures Awards) were inaugurated in 1998 to honour senior Western Australian artists who have made a lifelong contribution to their art form and their community. Further rounds of artists were honoured with the awards in 2004, 2015 and 2022.
The State Cultural Treasures Awards acknowledge outstanding lifelong contributions of senior Western Australian artists to their art form and the community.
The awards acknowledge the ability of artists to engage, move, involve and entertain audiences, honouring their skill, imagination and originality.
Dorothy Erickson is an artist-jeweller, historian, author and curator who has committed a lifetime of advocacy for WA‘s unique landscapes, geology and flora.
Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Lancaster is a pioneer of performance-led research and one of the world’s leading early keyboard specialists.
Peggy Griffiths - Madij is a prolific artist, performer, senior cultural knowledge keeper and highly respected Elder and mentor.
Tony Jones is a Western Australian artist, sculptor and educator who has created some of Western Australia’s most iconic and beloved sculptures throughout his career.
Ray Walker is one of Australia’s leading professional guitarists and his versatility, virtuosity and musicality know no bounds.
Katjarra Butler is a pioneering artist and senior Pintupi woman recognised as one of the most significant and unique Western Desert artists today.
Trevor Vickers is one of the most highly regarded contemporary visual artists working in Australia, producing some of the finest abstract paintings in the country.
Jenny Davis’ career as a writer, actor and director has formed the foundation of what is an extraordinary, life-long commitment to the Western Australian theatre landscape.
Peter Ghouse has dedicated more than 50 years to the WA arts and cultural community as an artist, teacher, mentor and manager.