Your Exclusive Invitation
Dear Guest,
Each year at CIAF, I am reminded why this gathering On Country matters.
I watch independent artists step into national visibility - artists whose practices are rigorous, radical, culturally grounded and long overdue for sustained attention within the broader market. I see collectors encounter work not as commodity, but as living cultural expression shaped by Country, community and continuity.
What also stays with me is what unfolds after the Fair closes.
Artists secure commercial representation. Museum curators return for studio visits. Corporate and private collections deepen with intention. Relationships formed On Country mature into enduring collaborations. Careers shift trajectory. These outcomes are cultivated through time spent in dialogue, of acquisitions made with context and care, and of trust built across sectors.
Under the artistic leadership of Teho Ropeyarn, CIAF 2026 returns to the Tanks Arts Centre precinct in Gimuy/Cairns under the theme Reclamation & Regeneration, a curatorial proposition that speaks to cultural authority, resurgence and forward momentum. It is both reaffirmation and progression.
Dimensions of this experience cannot be fully conveyed in writing; the atmosphere of gathering On Country, the intellectual generosity of artists, the clarity that comes from informed and ethical acquisition. Our team has prepared a preview On Country VIP Brochure offering a considered insight into what is taking shape for CIAF 2026. The Fair continues to expand in ambition and curatorial depth, and I hope you will continue that journey with us.
It is in this spirit that I invite you to join the CIAF 2026 On Country VIP Program, 7–12 July 2026 in Gimuy/Cairns, Queensland, led by Tony Albert.
Designed for collectors, patrons and cultural leaders who are committed to thoughtful acquisition and long-term engagement, the program offers exclusive early access to the Art Fair and Artisans Showcase, private exhibitor briefings, artist introductions and guided previews prior to the public opening. It creates the conditions for acquisitions grounded in provenance, dialogue and mutual respect.
Your presence and your considered participation in building collections directly strengthens the economic and cultural sustainability of Queensland’s First Nations artists and communities.
I would be honoured to welcome you On Country in July 2026.
To confirm your participation, please complete the registration form below by 5 June 2026.
For further information, please contact Perina Drummond, VIP Program Coordinator, at viprelations@ciaf.com.au.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Bianca Beetson
Chair, CIAF Board of Directors