CIAF '25 OPENING NIGHT
4 pm – 10 pm THURSDAY 10 JULY 2025 | Tanks Arts Centre Precinct | Ticketed Event
The 2025 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair – Pay Attention! will commence with a spectacular Opening Night celebration across the entire Tanks Arts Centre precinct, featuring the Welcome to Country, vibrant cultural dances, live music performances, thought-provoking art installations, digital projections, and a curated eat street offering delectable food.
Opening Night provides an exclusive preview of the CIAF Art Fair Showcase and Artisans Showcase before we open to the general public on 11-13 July 2025. Attendees will be the first to Pay Attention! to the works of over 30 exhibitors, art centres, commercial galleries, and independent artists in Tanks 3 and 4 and over 48 artisans across two pavilions along the Tanks promenade. Tank 3 and 4 will open at 4pm and Tank 5 will open at 5:30pm.
The official proceedings will run from 6pm - 7pm guided by Queensland icons Sean Choolburra, and Tania Major as co-masters of ceremony.
This year’s Art Fair embraces the compelling theme Pay Attention! and presents an array of artworks inspired by this powerful call to action.
Image: Joel Sam, Wamaladi Mawa, 2023, Mixed Media Sculpture at CIAF Art Fair Showcase, 2024. Photograph: Blueclick Photography.