CIAF Partners

MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER

For three days in August, 2009, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair will bring together the artists and other arts workers and organisations that make up the state's Indigenous arts industry. The fair gives collectors and arts enthusiasts a unique opportunity to purchase art work, meet the artists and gain insight into Queensland's rich Indigenous culture.

Some of Australia's best Indigenous contemporary art comes from Queensland. Artists such as Rosella Namok, Tony Albert, Sally Gabori, Alick Tipoti, Arone Meeks, Vernon Ah Kee and Dennis Nona have established international careers. Their works have been exhibited in such great centres as New York, London, and Paris and many destinations in between.

Many more Queensland artists have the potential to forge careers in the arts industry.

This is why the Queensland Government is committed to building a more sustainable industry, particularly for the artists of Far North Queensland. We want more of these talented artists to create careers in the arts. We want to see new and emerging artists developing their skills through training and industry partnerships. We want to showcase them to new audiences.

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair will be an amazing experience - a celebration of culture in one of the world's most beautiful locations. We look forward to meeting you there.

Anna Bligh MP

Premier of Queensland

Minister for the Arts

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is a major initiative of the Queensland Government delivered by Arts Queensland, the Indigenous Business Development unit and the Queensland Indigenous Arts Marketing & Export Agency (QIAMEA).

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