Thousands converge at Tanks Arts Centre for record-breaking Cairns Indigenous Art Fair 2025

Returning to its spiritual home at the Tanks Arts Centre, CIAF '25 was an overwhelming success, drawing thousands of locals and visitors to the lush surrounds of Cairns Botanic Gardens across four vibrant days of art, culture, and connection.

With a dynamic and multi-dimensional program culminating on Sunday 13 July in a packed Closing Ceremony, CIAF's 16th edition was marked by record visitation, community participation, and a final flurry of art sales across both the Art Fair Showcase and Artisan Showcase.

“CIAF has always been a platform for truth-telling and celebration,” said Artistic Director Teho Ropeyarn.

“This year’s theme, Pay Attention!, invited us to go deeper—and the response from the public, artists, and community has been phenomenal.”

Over the weekend, the Art Fair Showcase featuring 30 exhibitors and the Artisan Showcase with 48 stallholders reported strong sales, particularly in the final hours of the event, as audiences made the most of the opportunity to acquire unique, ethically sourced pieces from Queensland’s most exciting First Nations creators.

Family-friendly activations—from the CIAF Kids space to the new Mark Makers keynote Talks Program, roving exhibitor talks, tours, Masterclasses and the powerful Look & Listen Fashion Performances—kept the energy high across all precincts – as did the culturally imbued dance and music line up on the Promenade and at Opening Night, after dark and closing ceremonies.

The natural surroundings and World War II heritage of the Tanks Arts Centre venue offered a scenic and accessible canvas for creativity, helping to reinvigorate CIAF’s original artistic spirit.

Record Social Media Engagement

2025 marked a significant leap in CIAF’s digital reach. In the 30 days leading up to and during the event:

• Instagram views exceeded 300,000
• Facebook views surged to 735,000

These numbers not only reflect growing national and global interest in CIAF’s offering but also demonstrate the strong appetite, along with the emotional and cultural connection audiences have with the program, both in-person and online.

CIAF’s impressive social media reach was also bolstered by its pilot Ambassador Program, spearheaded by cultural content creator and community advocate Talicia Minniecon. Across four days, Minniecon’s roving interviews, storytelling, and behind-the-scenes coverage captured the spirit of CIAF and amplified the voices of participating artists, exhibitors, and visitors. As the program’s lead ambassador, she also mentored emerging First Nations content creators, offering an empowering platform for authentic, community-led storytelling.

Celebrating Artistic Excellence

CIAF’s Art Awards—now in their ninth year—were a focal point for the weekend, with $60,000 in prize money awarded to standout artists from across the state. The Premier’s Award for Excellence ($25,000) was awarded to Bernard Singleton (Yakal Creatives) for his robust wood carving Offering (2025). The work, rooted in Djabugay/Yirrgay knowledge, was praised by judges for its “technical mastery, cultural grounding, and commanding presence.”

The People’s Choice Award, announced at Sunday’s closing ceremony, was awarded to Dylan Sarra for his work Native Police Spears—a popular favourite among audiences for its thought-provoking, contemporary edge, critically-engaged meaning and connection to cultural identity.

2025 CIAF Art Award Winners:

• Premier’s Award for Excellence – Bernard Singleton (Yakal Creatives), Offering
• Art Centre Award – Hopevale Arts & Culture Centre
• Innovation Award – Alick Tipoti, Mawaw Danaka
• 3D Design, Sculpture and Installation Award – Kyra Mancktelow
• Emerging Art Award (Acquisitive) – Roy Gray (Bunda Art), in collaboration with Jo Ann Beikoff, Milba
• People’s Choice Award – Dylan Sarra, Native Police Spears

A complete list of winners and their citations is available on ciaf.com.au.

CIAF at a Glance – 2025 Highlights

• More than 30 Art Fair exhibitors representing Queensland’s First Nations arts and culture spanning independent artists, art centres and commercial galleries
• 48 Artisan Showcase stallholders
• More than 400 visual and performing First Nations artists from across Queensland
• $60,000 in CIAF Art Awards presented to six category winners
• 4 sell-out Look & Listen fashion performances
• Opening Night celebration attended by over 1000 visitors – another sell-out event.
• Daily artist talks, kids’ activities, cultural workshops, Mark Makers talks program and Masterclasses
• 735,000+ Facebook and 208,000+ Instagram views
• Largest event held at the Tanks Arts Centre for a full-site cultural celebration