Art enthusiasts will be able to tune in live to this Friday's judging of the 2021 Maari Ma Indigenous Art Awards with judging set to be streamed online.

Over $5000 in prizes will be announced on the night, with $2000 for first prize, $1000 for runner up, and $1000 for both the Emerging Artist Award, and the female-only Nhuungku Prize for Excellence. The best young artist will also win an $800 art pack.

The Awards will streamed via the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery's Facebook account and Council's YouTube account, with judging to be headed by Ngiyampaa woman and Assistant Curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Erin Vink.

Ms Vink has an extensive curatorial background, has written and featured in a number of art publications, and is an alumni member of the prestigious Wesfarmers Indigenous Arts Leadership Program.

Council's Gallery and Museum Manager, Tara Callaghan, said the judging would be screened online due to COVID-19 restrictions.

"Under current restrictions we can't really provide the atmosphere people expect when it comes to major exhibition events," said Ms Callaghan.

"People would have to remain seated, they'd be unable to wander around and view the artworks while eating and drinking - it's not the usual BHRAG experience for the delivery of a major art prize.

"However we had great success with our recent streaming of the Pro Hart Outback Art Prize in 2020, and I'm confident we'll get a good amount of people tuning in again this time.

"So I'd encourage everyone to settle in with a drink and some snacks and enjoy the judging from the comfort of their homes, and hopefully we can get our exhibition openings and art prize events back to normal soon.“

Those wishing to view the artworks are encouraged to visit the gallery between 10am – 4pm, Tuesday – Sunday, over the next eight weeks.

The Maari Ma Indigenous Art Prize is a joint event sponsored by Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation, West Darling Arts, and Broken Hill City Council.

(image last year's Maari Ma Indigenous Art Prize Exhibition, just prior to the Coronavirus pandemic)