Esteemed judging panel assigned to decide one of the Country’s richest art prizes

• The 9th annual CIAF Art Awards rewards Queensland’s First Nations artists with a prize cache of $60,000. 
• Premier’s Award for Excellence is the peak award with a prize of $25,000.  
• All artists whose work is featured in CIAF’s '25 Art Fair Showcase is eligible.  
• The 2025 judging panel includes Jack Wilkie-Jans, Sebastian Goldspink & Rebecca Ray 

CIAF’s 2025 Art Awards judging panel presents a highly respected trio of First Nations artists and arts leaders with impeccable qualifications across curatorial practice, advocacy, and cultural policy: Waanyi, Teppathiggi and Tjungundji man Jack Wilkie-Jans is a multi-disciplinary artist and consultant with a background in political science and Aboriginal affairs. Sebastian Goldspink, is a proud Burramattagal man and acclaimed independent curator known for founding ALASKA Projects and curating the 2022 Adelaide Biennial. Rounding out the trio is Meriam woman, Rebecca Ray, Curator, First Nations Art at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), with a practice grounded in re-Indigenisation and global First Nations solidarity.  

CIAF Artistic Director Teho Ropeyarn said that their expertise, both individually and together, offers a powerful and culturally informed lens for assessing this year’s awards. 

Now in its ninth year, the CIAF Art Awards support and celebrate Queensland’s First Nations artists, offers career-shaping recognition and critical opportunities for visibility, mobility, and connection across the national and international art world.

According to Mr Ropeyarn, the CIAF Art Awards have been life-changing for many artists.  

“The awards leverage our event platform to support professional development for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in the Art Fair Showcase. Since launching nearly a decade ago, CIAF’s Awards program has transformed the careers of past winners. 

“CIAF Art Awards provides opportunities for artists to enhance their profile through innovation and excellence, benefiting Queensland’s Indigenous communities,” Mr Ropeyarn said.  

CIAF’s Art Awards are open to all exhibiting artists whose work has been selected to feature in the prestigious CIAF’s '25 Art Fair Showcase at Tanks Arts Centre, which will draw a collective response to the 2025 theme, Pay Attention!  

The list of CIAF Art Award categories is as follows: 

• Premier's Award for Excellence ($25,000) – Sponsored by Queensland Government
• Art Centre Award ($10,000) - Sponsored by Cairns Regional Council
• Innovation Award ($10,000) - Sponsored by Terri Janke and Company
• 3D Design, Sculpture & Installation Award ($5,000) - Sponsored by Ports North
• Emerging Art Award ($5,000) - Sponsored by Energy Queensland
• People's Choice Award ($5,000) – Sponsored by Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA)

The artistic response to CIAF’s 2025 theme, along with the quality, execution and cultural significance shown by Queensland’s First Nations artists, provides the criteria for the judging panel’s adjudication process.   

For the first time in 2025, the CIAF Art Award ceremony will be held in a dedicated time slot in the program. All awardees, except for the People’s Choice award winner, will be announced on Friday 11 July, between 11:30 am and 12:15 pm in Tank 5, Tanks Arts Centre. 

Tickets are now on sale at CIAF’s ticketing hub.

TICKETING HUB