Joint message from the Premier of Queensland and the Minister for the Arts

For the second year in a row, CIAF has creatively adapted its physical program into an immersive digital offering showcasing visual arts, artists and art centres from Far North Queensland, helping to share our state’s cultural stories as part of an important journey towards truth-telling. 

Art lovers from across Australia and the world will have the opportunity to experience this year’s five-day Sacred themed Art Fair online and can even have a piece of the fair delivered to their door by making a purchase in the CIAF store and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. Importantly, this event will continue to provide a platform for professional development opportunities for First Nations artists and pathways for emerging visual and performance artists.

Supporting the arts, cultural and creative sectors is part of the Queensland Government’s plan for economic recovery from the impact of COVID-19.  

The Queensland Government invests in CIAF with annual funding of $600,000 to elevate First Nations as part of Creative Together, the 10-year roadmap for arts, culture and creativity in Queensland. Additional combined funding of $284,000 through the Arts and Cultural Recovery Package supports digital elements, the music and performance program, and will see CIAF commission artists to produce large-scale artworks for the Big Sculpture Showcase 2022, along with support from Tourism and Events Queensland’s Destination Events Program and our sponsorship of the Premier’s Award for Excellence, a $15,000 cash prize, presented to an artist with the most outstanding work at the annual CIAF Art Awards. 

CIAF is a significant cultural event, taking place in the extended Year of Indigenous Tourism, which assists in raising the profile of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences in Queensland. 

There is more demand than ever for authentic First Nations art and experiences and the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is a cultural exchange not to be missed. We encourage everyone to scroll, stream and support CIAF in 2021.

Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP
Premier of Queensland and Minister for the Olympics

Honourable Leeanne Enoch MP
Minister for Communities and Housing, Minister for Digital Economy and Minister for the Arts