Skip links and keyboard navigation

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts

On this page

Arts Queensland funding programs and initiatives support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and arts organisations to develop ethical, sustainable creative businesses that provide social, economic and cultural benefits for individuals and communities.

Plans and initiatives

Backing Indigenous Arts

The Queensland Government’s Backing Indigenous Arts (BIA) initiative, established in 2007, invested $12.6 million over four years (2019/20 – 2022/23) to sustain and grow ethical Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts industries. The initiative supports:

Indigenous Art Centres (IAC) Multi-Year Funding (2023-2026)

Arts Queensland supports a network of Indigenous Arts Centres (IACs) throughout Queensland and their representative body, the Indigenous Art Centre Alliance (IACA).

The BIA-IAC Multi-Year Funding initiative supports:

  • IAC business development and growth that aligns with the centre’s strategic plan.
  • increased employment and professional development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts managers, workers and artists.
  • strengthened Indigenous leadership of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts and crafts sector.
  • increased capacity of artists and organisations to meet cultural obligations and market demand.

The BIA IAC Multi-Year Funding program is a targeted strategy accessible to the IACs which were successfully admitted to the BIA IAC Multi-Year 2019-2023 Program, along with those IACs identified and invited by Arts Queensland that are visual arts organisations or peak bodies.

2023-24 funding

Queensland’s network of IACs received an increased investment of $2 million over three years, which included an uplift of $162,000 to annual operational funding through the Queensland Government’s Backing Indigenous Arts (BIA) initiative.

  • Erub Erwer Meta Torres Strait Islander Corporation - Darnley Island - $72,000 funding
  • Badhulgaw Kuthinaw Mudh Torres Strait Islander - $72,000 funding
  • Ngalmun Lagau Minaral Torres Strait Islander Corporation - Moa Island Arts - $72,000 funding
  • Torres Strait Regional Authority - Torres Strait Regional Arts and Culture Plan - Gab Titui Cultural Centre - $60,000 funding
  • Wei'num Aboriginal and TSI Arts and Crafts Corporation - $48,000 funding
  • Lockhart River Art Centre - $72,000 funding
  • Aurukun Shire Council - Wik and Kugu Arts - $72,000 funding
  • Mirndiyan Gununa Aboriginal Corporation - Mornington Island Arts - $84,000 funding
  • Pormpuraaw Arts and Cultural Centre - $72,000 funding
  • HopeVale Arts and Culture Centre - $72,000 funding
  • Wujal Wujal Council - Bana Yirriji Art Centre - $60,000 funding
  • Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku Inc - Yalanji Arts Mossman Gorge -$72,000 funding
  • Yarrabah Arts and Culture Precinct - $60,000 funding
  • Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre - $84,000 funding
  • Indigenous Art Centre Alliance - $220,000 funding

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.