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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts

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Plans and initiatives

Backing Indigenous Arts Multi-Year Fund

The Queensland Government is committed to ensuring arts, cultural and creative industries thrive across the State, including through investment into the Backing Indigenous Arts (BIA) initiative to sustain and grow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts industries.

Established in 2007, this initiative has been renewed for 2026-2030 with $4.3 million in funding for 17 Indigenous Arts Centres across Queensland delivered through the BIA Multi-Year Fund.

The BIA Multi-Year Fund supports core operations and activities of Indigenous Art Centres and organisations that deliver economic, cultural and social outcomes for artists and their communities.

Investment supports IACs' annual program delivery, employment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts managers, workers and artists along with production and sale of works.

The BIA Multi-Year Fund is supporting 17 Indigenous Art Centres in Queensland including:

Four-year funding 2026-2030

  • Mirndiyan Gununa Aboriginal Corporation (Mornington Island) - $84,000 p.a.
  • Girringun Aboriginal Corporation/Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre (Cardwell) - $84,000 p.a.
  • Aurukun Shire Council - $72,000 p.a.
  • Badhulgaw Kuthinaw Mudh Torres Strait Islander Corporation (Badu Island, Torres Strait) - $72,000 p.a.
  • Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku Aboriginal Corporation (Yalanji Arts, Mossman Gorge) - $72,000 p.a.
  • Erub Erwer Meta Torres Strait Islander Corporation - $72,000 p.a.
  • Hopevale Aboriginal Corporation for Arts and Culture - $72,000 p.a.
  • Ngalmun Lagau Minaral TSI Corp (Moa Arts, Moa Island, Torres Strait) - $72,000 p.a.
  • Pormpuraaw Art & Culture Centre Incorporated - $72,000 p.a.
  • Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council - $60,000 p.a.
  • Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council - $60,000 p.a.
  • Torres Strait Regional Authority (Gab Titui, Thursday Island, Torres Strait) - $60,000 p.a.
  • Wei'Num Arts and Crafts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation (Mapoon) - $48,000 p.a.

Two-year funding 2026-2028

  • Umi Arts Limited (Cairns) - $90,000 p.a.
  • Cherbourg Historical, Cultural and Community Precinct Inc - $72,000 p.a.
  • Coen Regional Aboriginal Corporation - $72,000 p.a.
  • Salt Water Murris Quandamooka - $60,000 p.a.

Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts

The Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA) is a registered training organisation dedicated to the development of Indigenous performing artists. ACPA helps emerging practitioners gain the skills, expertise and practical experience necessary to succeed in the Australian performing arts industry.

Image: Tjilala Brown-Roberts and Laurel Scammell at the Queensland Children's Hospital Reconciliation Week performance by ACPA. Credit: Dru Brown.

Indigenous Regional Arts Development Fund

Part of the BIA initiative, the Indigenous Regional Arts Development Fund (IRADF) is a partnership between the Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland, the Torres Strait Regional Authority and 15 Aboriginal Councils and host organisations throughout Queensland.

IRADF focuses on cultural maintenance and arts development, helping to ensure Indigenous communities in regional and remote areas of Queensland have access to arts and cultural services.

Image: Sand stories. Credit: Miriki Performing Arts.

Festivals

Arts Queensland supports several arts and cultural festivals that celebrate the diverse languages, song, dance and stories of Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including:

  • The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) is Australia’s premier Indigenous art fair, dedicated to supporting the careers of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists by providing a platform for market exposure and income generation.
  • The Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival is a biennial four-day festival to celebrate and preserve Torres Strait Islander language, art, song and dance.
  • The Laura Quinkan Dance Festival is a biennial gathering in Cape York Peninsula that showcases Indigenous cultures from around Australia.

Image: Alick Tipoti at the CIAF 2025 Art Fair Showcase. Credit: Lewis Bin Doraho.

Indigenous Arts Business

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses are important contributors to economic value in Queensland and across the nation.

The Indigenous Arts Business page connects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, arts workers and organisations with information, resources and opportunities to help strengthen and grow arts and cultural businesses.

Image: Karen Shaun, Blue dugongs (screen print fabric). Credit: Yalanji Arts, Mossman.

Find out more

Image: Shamaiah Sullivan wearing Irene Robinson's design at the CIAF 2025 Fashion Performance. Credit: Veronica Sagredo.