Breaking the million-dollar mark: Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s record pandemic emergence

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The figures have been tallied from this year’s Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF), with records for sales and attendance smashed.

In its first physical festival following two years of digital-only formats, CIAF returned with a bang in July 2022 in the larger and more user-friendly surrounds of the newly renovated Cairns Convention Centre.

60,000 people attended exhibitions, performances, markets and satellite events across five days, up by around 17 per cent compared to the previous record set in 2019.

That trickled through to art sales, which for the first time exceeded the one-million-dollar mark with a total $1,015,029 to significantly surpass the previous record of $924,000, also set in 2019. 

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General Manager Darrell Harris said the success extends beyond financial benefits, with 600 visual and performing artists taking part.

“For artists and communities situated in the remote Cape York and Torres Strait Islands region CIAF is a significant event on the annual calendar that people look forward to and work towards,” he said.

“And while CIAF means different things to different people, it is the way it brings everyone together to celebrate culture and identity that makes us feel good and proud of what we do.”

CIAF Marketing and Communications Manager, Jack Wilkie-Jans said the Masters of Country themed Art Fair and Art Market was a major contributor to sales.

“What we have here in Queensland is so distinct from other states and territories because in terms of diversity we span both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures,” he said.

“With so much new and exciting work coming through, the Art Fair was one of the best ever and with exhibitors like Simone Arnol, Bernard Singleton, Teho Ropeyarn and Wujal Wujal’s Bana Yirriji Art Centre literally selling every piece of artwork on their stand.

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CIAF’s Collectors and Curators group, comprising some 50 plus members, acquired several special works that will join the collections of museums, institutions and galleries across Australia including the Art Bank Australia, Art Gallery of NSW, National Gallery of Victoria, Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Museum and Queensland Children’s Hospital.

Last year, research consultant IER estimated CIAF’s broader annual in-scope benefits spanning both economic and social value amounts to be $10.9 million for Queensland and $8.3 million for Cairns.

CIAF 2023 will be held next July.

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