News

While record art sales and visitor numbers are key yardsticks achieved by Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) in its 10 year, it is a series of qualitative outcomes that define success and sustainability for Queensland’s quintessential First Peoples’ cultural event.

Sunshine filled days and a diverse, predominantly free program abounding in highpoints, drew community and visitors together in their thousands to immerse themselves in an intergenerational, cultural exchange underpinned by this year’s themes of traditional language and storytelling.

Monday 15 July 2019. People spoke with their feet this week with sold out events throughout the city’s artistic and cultural hubs and huge numbers throughout the Art Fair and Market for Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s 10th anniversary.

Friday 12 July, 2018. Some of Queensland’s outstanding Indigenous artists and organisations were recognised among peers at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s opening party held last night.

CIAF’s artistic director, Janina Harding said CIAF’s award recipients were decided this week by an esteemed judging panel comprising Liz Ann Macgregor, Director of Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, Nici Cumpston, Curator Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, Art Gallery of South Australia and Teho Ropeyarn, Curator, Cairns Art Gallery.

With the 10th anniversary just weeks away, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) is taking stock of valuable support, recognising a long-term partnership with Sea Swift that has been elevated in 2019 to present this year’s Art Market, opening night fireworks and freighting services.

CIAF General Manager Vanessa Gillen said local companies like Sea Swift underpin the event with solid, unwavering support.

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s (CIAF) newly formed partnership with DesignCloud may have serious underpinnings but on the surface, is a whole lot of laughs for festival-goers attending Blak Comedy Up Late at Tanks Arts Centre on Friday 12 July.

Cairns Airport has pledged increased support for Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) in 2019 by securing the presenting partnership of this year’s  10th anniversary visual arts exhibition, My Yarn Now.

Cairns Airport CEO Norris Carter said this year’s sponsorship agreement has been redefined to enhance an already fruitful and long-established partnership which recognises the significance of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture and the role CIAF plays in boosting regional tourism.

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) has formed an exciting partnership with Far North Queensland’s stylish newcomer, luxury hotel, Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort to deliver its most culturally-inspired and creative fashion performance to date.
 
Since its inaugural performance in 2013, CIAF’s fashion offering has evolved into one of the program’s most highly anticipated and well attended events which, in 2018, culminated in three sell-out shows at Tanks Arts Centre.
 

The partnership between Cairns Indigenous Art Fair and Skytrans is another step closer to materialising in a new uniform design for the regional airline after announcing the winner of its inaugural art prize.

Rockhampton artist Annie Abednego Gela’s artwork entitled, LAK PARU KWINZLAN (The Face of Queensland) was selected by judges CIAF Artistic Director Janina Harding and Skytrans CEO Michael Thinee from among 27 entries.