The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) is excited to announce a call for Expressions of Interest from Artists and Designers for our highly anticipated 2025 Fashion Performance and Art Fair Showcase. This prestigious event will take place on the beautiful lands of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji peoples from July 11 to 13, 2025.
CIAF is dedicated to promoting contemporary First Nations art and design and providing a dynamic platform for creativity, cultural exchange, and professional growth. We invite both emerging and established designers to apply and showcase their unique creations that reflect personal stories, sovereignty, and worldviews.
We encourage artists and designers to explore a variety of medium including textiles, multimedia, wearable art, and more. This is an incredible opportunity to share your creativity, educate audiences on important issues, and connect with other professionals in the fashion and arts industry.
CIAF’s theme for 2025 is Pay Attention! Inspired by Tony Albert’s evocative print work Pay Attention, 2011 the theme for Cairns Indigenous Art Fair 2025 calls on artists to reflect on the powerful message of this moment in our collective history, following the Voice Referendum in 2023. Pay Attention! challenges us to remain vigilant about the social, political, and cultural issues impacting First Nations communities in contemporary times. In 2025, we stand at a critical juncture. Our past—rooted in the actions of our Old Peoples, the voices and wisdoms of our Elders, and the resilience of our next generations— provides us with the strength to confront current issues such as: Our continued existence and stereotyped visibility within society, cultural authenticity of our works, truth and treaty, justice, racism, health disparities, the rising cost of living, and everyday life.
To be eligible to exhibit and present at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) in 2025, applicants must meet the following criteria: Exhibiting artists, or artists represented by applicants (e.g. galleries, art centres, artist run initiatives or collectives), either be First Nations artists with traditional connections to Queensland, reside in Queensland, or have familial ties to Queensland, meaning they have family connections or ancestral links to Indigenous communities in Queensland. The Art Fair is open to First Nations artists at any career stage, including emerging, mid-career, and established artists. Applicants should display a commitment to Indigenous cultural, traditional, and contemporary artistic expression, and the preservation of cultural practices through their work. CIAF is committed to being accessible and inclusive, ensuring that eligible artists of all abilities have equal opportunities to apply and participate.
To apply, please visit our website at ciaf.com.au and complete the Expression of Interest form. We look forward to seeing your innovative designs and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Queensland’s First Nations communities.
For further information please contact artfair@ciaf.com.au or visit the website
Photo captions: Image courtesy of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
Hereo Image: CIAF 2024: Arabella Walker, Art Fair Booth
Gallery Images:
Top left: CIAF 2024, Melanie Hava, Art Fair Booth
Top right: CIAF 2024, Designer: Irene Robinson, Model: Amariah Thomas Savage
Bottom left: CIAF 2024, Gimuy Walubarra Yidinji Dancers
Bottom right: CIAF 2024, Fashion Performance
For more information click here
