Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) has received top marks in the latest research report by one of Australia’s leading business consultancy firms, showing a financial boost of over $7.5 million to Cairns’ economy.
According to a recent report conducted by leading research consultancy firm, IER, and commissioned by Tourism & Events Queensland, CIAF generated direct and incremental expenditure of $7,551,986 to the Cairns economy in 2022. With a further $4,454,724 to wider Queensland’s economy. Added to this, 'high to very high' ratings were achieved across all community pride benchmarks, including a strong endorsement of 92% out of 100% stating CIAF's added appeal to the Cairns region.
IER partner, Glenn Hardy, said the results continue to prove that CIAF is an important event to both Cairns and Queensland, influencing a range of positive outcomes, from fiscal ones and social wellbeing.
“CIAF is an event whose strength can be measured in both direct economic and social benefits which is particularly meaningful in a hyper-local sense. The event delivers wellbeing impacts for thousands of artists, performers, and attendees, while attracting visitation impacts for both the local region and the state,” Mr Hardy said.
CIAF General Manager, Darrell Harris (pictured), said results are evidence of the organisation’s success in returning to a physical event after two COVID-19 years, in which the event platform transitioned online.
“It's so pleasing to see CIAF rate so well on all indicators of the IER report; with community pride, appeal, and willingness to recommend CIAF to others ranking most highly. I wish to congratulate our team, our artists and creative stakeholders, our sponsors, our community, and the generosity of everyone who travelled to Cairns for CIAF on this remarkable achievement,” Mr Harris said.
2022, CIAF's 13th year, saw record-breaking attendance figures with 60,000 attendees purchasing over $1M in artworks from the Art Fair and Art Market. CIAF will return in 2023 from 13-16 July, with the Opening Night Party to be held on Thursday 13 at the Cairns Convention Centre. The theme for next year's Art Fair is: Weaving our Future: Claiming our Sovereignty.
📸 Blueclick Photography, 2020