Art awards ceremony

Tanks Arts Centre - Tank 5
10 July 1pm

Each year, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) and its Award Partners recognise the depth, innovation and cultural strength of Queensland’s First Nations artists through the CIAF Art Awards.

Presented within the CIAF Art Fair Showcase, the Awards celebrate artistic excellence while supporting the professional development and visibility of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists working across contemporary visual arts practice.

Over the years, the CIAF Art Awards have become a significant platform for career development, with many past recipients and finalists going on to exhibit nationally and internationally. In 2026, CIAF is proud to present one of the largest First Nations art prize pools in the country, with more than $70,000 in awards presented across six categories.

The CIAF Art Awards are unique in that there is no separate application process. All eligible works exhibited within the CIAF Art Fair Showcase are automatically considered for judging, including works presented by Queensland Art Centres, independent artists, commercial galleries and invited exhibitors.

Each year, CIAF appoints a panel of respected arts leaders, curators and industry professionals to judge the Awards.

$25,000 Premier’s Award for Excellence — Sponsored by the Queensland Government

$10,000 Innovation Award — Sponsor to be announced

$10,000 Art Centre Award — Sponsored by Coral Expeditions

$10,000 Emerging Artist Award — Sponsored by Apunipima Cape York Health Council

$10,000 CATAPULT Professional Development Award — Sponsored by Cairns Regional Council

$5,000 3D Design, Sculpture & Installation Award — Sponsored by Ports North

$5,000 People’s Choice Award — Sponsored by Torres Strait Regional Authority