Arts Minister Ros Bates has announced a record 24 galleries and Indigenous art centres will take part in the 2012 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF), making for an exciting program of visual art, dance, music and debate in Cairns 17-19 August.

Speaking before the official launch, Ms Bates said CIAF has become Australia’s premier Indigenous art fair and a must-attend event on Queensland’s cultural calendar.

“It is a unique event in Australia – a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through art and performance and a fantastic platform for Indigenous artists to market and showcase their art to the world.

“In 2011, more than 13 000 people attended CIAF at the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal and over three years the event has sold more than $1.8 million in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork. This is a great event for all, with most of the attractions free to attendees. The figures say it all – 98.5 percent of visitors to last year’s event rating it as excellent or good.

“This year is going to be even more exciting. CIAF 2012 boasts a record number of exhibitors. High profile commercial galleries including Melbourne’s Alcaston Gallery, and Vivien Anderson Gallery; and Brisbane’s Fireworks Gallery and Suzanne O’Connell Gallery are showing alongside Indigenous art centres from as far north as Badu Island in the Torres Strait and North Stradbroke Island in the south - all selling works by Queensland Indigenous artists.

“The CIAF Symposium is a core event which attracts the arts industry from across the country to debate and discuss contemporary issues affecting Indigenous artists. This year keynote speakers are artist Destiny Deacon and arts market-analyst Michael Reid.

The Minister said CIAF is a key opportunity for Queensland Indigenous artists to sell work and raise their profile nationally and internationally. The CIAF Collectors and Curators program, supported by Arts Queensland’s Queensland Indigenous Arts Marketing and Export Agency (QIAMEA), plays a key role in this.

Queensland Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Jann Stuckey, said this year’s CIAF will be the most exciting yet, following a significant funding boost of $300,000 – bringing the total investment through Events Queensland to $350,000 in 2012.

“CIAF is a major drawcard for visitors to the Cairns Region, attracting more than 35,000 people since it began in 2009 – which is great for the tourism industry and local economy,” said Ms Stuckey.

Key Dates

CIAF Opening Party
7–11pm Thu 16 Aug
Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal
Wharf St

Art Fair
1Oam–6pm Fri 17 – Sat 18 Aug;
1Oam–5pm Sun 19 Aug
Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal

CIAF Exhibition
Fri 17 Aug – Sun 7 Oct
Cairns Regional Gallery
cnr Abbott and Shields Streets

CIAF Symposium
9am–12:45pm Fri 17 Aug;
8:3O–11:3Oam Sun 18 Aug
Centre of Contemporary Arts Cairns
96 Abbott St, Cairns

Keynote speakers
Destiny Deacon
Michael Reid

For more information about the 2012 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair please visit www.ciaf.com.au.

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