Entertainment
7 March, 2026
Propelling culture forward
THE 2026 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair will be returning in July with a bigger, bolder event and a record-breaking Artisan market.
Launched on Friday last week and marking its 17th year in Gimuy/Cairns, the event carries the theme ‘Reclamation & Regeneration’.
“CIAF 2026 is a celebration of resurgence. We reclaim, we regenerate. Our artists are not just preserving cultures, they are propelling it forward,” CIAF Artistic Director Teho Ropeyarn said at the launch.
Tickets are now on sale for the opening night celebration on Thursday 9 July at Tanks Arts Centre, which features award-winning Zenadth Kes/Torres Strait Islander dance troupe Naygayiw Gigi (Northern Thunder).
The Bamaga-based troupe will perform alongside Circa Cairns, a new First Nations-led physical theatre work, Djawarray, a Djabugay and Western Yalanji custodian and songman, Yidinji Dancers, and Kaybee (Kirsty Burchill), a Triple J Unearthed artist blending R’N’B, Soul and Hip Hop.
The Art Fair showcase will present 34 exhibitors spanning art centres, commercial galleries and independent practitioners and representing more than 90 artists.
The popular Artisans showcase will reach a new scale this year, with 38 market stalls showcasing the work of more than 130 artists, making it the largest Artisan program in CIAF’s history.
A further 65 performers will bring entertainment through the program, including 21 fashion performers for the First Nations fashion on the runway.
CIAF, which runs until 12 July, will also present a Talks Program and Keynotes exploring art, policy, collecting and cultural leadership, a Masterclass Series with leading artists and a Music & Dance Program.
