About Us

CIAF is part of the Queensland Government's Backing Indigenous Arts program, dedicated to assisting the sustainable development and ethical representation of Indigenous artists, while preserving and promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

Key projects funded by Backing Indigenous Arts include: Cairns Indigenous Art Fair; 15 art centres and hubs in Far North Queensland; Djumbunji Press KickArts Fine Art Printmaking in Cairns; and the Building Skills and Opportunities program, which funds projects that help maintain and share cultural traditions. Artists and performers from the Building Skills and Opportunities program will also take part in the art fair program.

Art work produced at Far North Queensland's art centres and hubs, Djumbunji Press and through the Building Skills and Opportunities program will be on sale at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.

CIAF steering committee

Leigh Tabrett
Deputy Director-General, Arts Queensland (Chair)

Michael Snelling
Director, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair

Jeremy Blockey
Director, 20/20 Group

David Bousen
Artist and Councillor, Kubin Regional Council

Michael Eather
Director, Fireworks Gallery

Professor Sandra Harding
Vice-Chancellor and President, James Cook University

John McIntyre
Director Destination Development, Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Arone Meeks
Artist

Lisa Michl
Chair, UMI Arts

Val Schier
Cairns Regional Council Mayor

Clive Skarott
Chair, Cairns Port Authority, Chief Executive Officer, Electricity Credit Union

Leslie Sparkes
Manager, Cultural Services and Facilities, Cairns Regional Council

Mike Winer
Project Manager, Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership