Art Fair Showcase EOI

Invitation for Expressions of Interest

CIAF invites expressions of interest from exhibitors for the 2025 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair!

We welcome applications from art centres, commercial galleries, independent artists and artist groups, artist collectives, and artist-run initiatives (ARIs). Whether you’re a returning exhibitor or a new voice in the CIAF community, we want to hear from you.

If you’ve never exhibited with us before, that’s okay—we’re excited to learn about your work, your creative journey, and the projects you’re currently developing. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with audiences, showcase your art, and be part of the vibrant CIAF 2025 program.

Apply now and bring your vision to CIAF!

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Eligibility Criteria

 To be eligible to exhibit at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) in 2025, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Exhibiting artists, or artists represented by applicants (e.g., galleries, art centres, Artist run innitiatives or collectives), must be First Nations artists of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent with traditional connections to Queensland AND must meet one of the following residency requirements: Reside in Queensland (QLD) OR have familial ties to Queensland, meaning they have family connections or ancestral links to Indigenous communities in Queensland  
2. Art Fair is open to First Nations artists at any career stage, including emerging, mid-career, and established artists.
3. Applicants should display a commitment to Indigenous cultural, traditional, and contemporary artistic expression, and the preservation of cultural practices through their work.
4. The CIAF Art Fair is committed to being accessible and inclusive, ensuring that eligible artists of all abilities have equal opportunities to apply and participate.

Queensland Indigenous Art Movement

The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair supports an authentic Queensland Indigenous Art Movement that celebrates a traditional and contemporary approach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural expressions through stories, design elements, motifs, symbolism and imagery that is unique to Queensland.

About the Art Fair

The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is a space which showcases some of the best work being produced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artists from Queensland. CIAF is committed to offering excellence and high quality works of art. The Art Fair presents work from Art Centres, Independent Platforms, Independent Artists, Local & Commercial Galleries. 

Art Fair Theme

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: Ourcontinued existence and stereotyped visibility within society, cultural authenticity of our works, truth and treaty, justice, racism, health disparities, the rising cost of living, andeveryday life.

Yet, we also look forward, asking: What does our future look like? Where are we now? Are we on the right track?

This year’s theme is a call-to-action and urges artists to be bold and delve into personal and communal experiences, and collective memory, and to share these as overdue lessons for others-making our mark. Art is not only a form of expression but a vital record of the times. Across all artforms, we ask artists to explore all that shape our lives, while addressing the dominant societal forces at play.

Important Dates

• Art Fair Showcase EOI Deadline: 31st January, 2025
• Shortlisting Notfication: 4th February, 2025
• Application Release: 7th February, 2025
• Appicaltion Deadline: 21st February, 2025
• Final Selection Notification: 28th February, 2025

Booth Height: 2.7 meters

Booth sizes may vary slightly depending on specific exhibition needs and availability. We’ve introduced smaller booth options specifically designed for independent artists who prefer to commit to more compact spaces. This provides flexible and accessible option for artists.Individual needs can be dicussed with the exhibitions teams.

Exhibitors are asked to inform us if they will be including suspended works, as these require specific placement within the venue. Each exhibitor will be billed based on their final allocated booth size, withinvoices adjusted accordingly once allocations are confirmed. All exhibitors are charged the same price per lineal meter, regardless of booth size.

Booth sizes will be finalised prior to applications submissions. 

Payment Terms

Booth Deposit (25%, Non-Refundable) Due: 28th March, 2025
Balance Payment Due: 9th May, 2025

 

 

The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair thanks you for your participation and the submission of your Expression of Interest for our art fair exhibition call-out. Your interest and creative contributions are immensely appreciated.

Your support is instrumental in making our art fair a success, and we value your commitment to the arts.

We will be thoroughly reviewing each EOI, and our team will be in touch soon with further details. Once again, thank you for being an integral part of our artistic journey.