CIAF 2026 CATAPULT: DIGITAL TRUTH-TELLING EDITION
Digital Truth-Telling. Cultural Leadership. Story Sovereignty.
The CIAF Ambassador Program is a professional development initiative that supports emerging First Nations storytellers, creatives, artists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders in building confidence, capability, and visibility in digital spaces.
Delivered through CIAF's CATAPULT professional development platform alongside Mob Made Media & Communications Agency (MMM&CA), the program equips participants with practical skills in digital storytelling, media engagement, content creation, ethical communications and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) protections.
More than content creators, CIAF Ambassadors are cultural advocates, community leaders and digital truth-tellers who help amplify the stories, artists and experiences that shape the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) and beyond.
FROM PILOT PROGRAM TO PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS
Following the success of the 2025 pilot program, the CIAF Ambassador Program returns in 2026 with an expanded focus on professional development, storytelling and cultural leadership.
The pilot program brought together a cohort of Aboriginal and Zenadth Kes/Torres Strait Islander creatives and communicators from across Queensland to share their CIAF experience through culturally grounded digital content. Collectively, the inaugural ambassadors generated more than 1.8 million views across digital platforms, significantly increasing the reach and visibility of CIAF artists, exhibitors, performers and cultural programming.
Beyond the numbers, the program created meaningful opportunities for participants, with ambassador alumni securing paid creative commissions, media collaborations, professional partnerships and ongoing work across the arts, tourism, cultural and communications sectors.
While traditional investments often focus on elevating a single high-profile influencer or public figure, CIAF believes there is transformative power in investing in a collective of grassroots ambassadors - people already leading important work in their communities and helping shape conversations across local, state, national and international platforms.
What began as a media campaign quickly became something much bigger... creating space for cultural leadership, strengthening community truth-telling and opening new pathways for economic opportunity.
EXPANDING IN 2026
In 2026, the program expands beyond the festival period, creating year-round opportunities for learning, mentoring and professional development.
Supported by Creative Australia's Storytelling and Recording: First Nations Project Fund, Tourism and Events Queensland through the Queensland Destination Events Program (QDEP), and the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), the expanded initiative includes:
- Professional development workshops and webinars
- Media and communications training
- Digital storytelling and content creation mentoring
- Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) education
- Community engagement opportunities
- Networking with artists, industry professionals and cultural leaders
- On-Country truth-telling and recording projects
- Dedicated participation pathways for regional, remote and Zenadth Kes/Torres Strait storytellers
The program reflects CIAF's ongoing commitment to strengthening First Nations voices, supporting cultural authority and creating meaningful career pathways across the creative industries.
DIGITAL TRUTH-TELLING RESOURCE HUB
As part of the CIAF x MMM&CA Digital Truth-Telling Initiative, this resource hub provides free professional development materials for CIAF artists, ambassadors, exhibitors and community members.
Recorded Workshops & Webinars
Breaking Ground in a Digital Age
Presented by Talicia Minniecon (MMM&CA) in partnership with NAVA.
Topics include:
- Ethical digital storytelling
- Media engagement
- Story sovereignty
- Online communications strategy
- Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP)
Future Workshops
Additional recordings and resources will be added throughout 2026–27.
ARTIST RESOURCES
CIAF 2026 Social Share Kit
Download official CIAF social media assets, logos, templates and promotional materials.
ABOUT CATAPULT
CATAPULT is CIAF's professional development and capacity-building platform, supporting Queensland First Nations artists through mentoring, training, exhibition pathways and industry engagement.
Since 2014, CIAF has supported more than 855 paid First Nations artists and cultural workers and facilitated more than $6.5 million in direct art sales.
Through CATAPULT, CIAF continues to invest in the next generation of First Nations cultural leaders, creatives and storytellers.
