FAQs
Q. What is an art fair?
A. An art fair is a market-oriented gathering of art dealers and their wares. Not unlike other trade shows, such as a bridal expo or car show.
Participation is by invitation from the Artistic Director or curator only. Invited art dealers purchase a stand at the art fair and from this
stand sell art work to visitors. In recent years, art fairs have emerged as a strong market for contemporary art work, with dealers offering
exclusive new work at good prices to art fair visitors.
Q: Who can have a stand at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair?
A: To sell at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair organisations must purchase an exhibitor stand, just like at all other trade fairs. At Cairns Indigenous Art Fair organisations that can purchase a stand are commercial and public galleries, art dealers, artist collectives, arts organisations, art publishers and Indigenous art centres. These organisations can only sell the art work of Queensland born or based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists at the Art Fair. Even if your organisation fulfils all of these requirements you will still need to submit an application to the Art Fair's Artistic Director Michael Snelling who then makes a decision on whether or not the art work to be sold by your organisation meets strict quality measures. The final say on what organisations can and cannot exhibit at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair rests with the Artistic Director. To make an enquiry about purchasing a stand at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair fill in the Exhibitors Enquiry Form.
Q. Can an individual artist purchase a stand at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair?
A. No, because of the commercial nature of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair the purchase of stands is only open to registered businesses.
However, please see question four for other ways individual artists can be involved in Art Fair.
Q: I am an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander artist born or based in Queensland, but I don't have a gallery, art dealer or Indigenous art centre representing me. How can I be included?
A: There are many opportunities for individual artists to be included in Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.
The first is in the CIAF exhibition. This exhibition seeks out and presents renowned and emerging artists and is curated by Artistic Director
Michael Snelling and co-curator Brian Robinson. UMI Arts is coordinating a call for art work submissions for the exhibition. Please contact
UMI Arts on (O7) 4O41 6152, admin@umiarts.com.au or visit the website www.umiarts.com.au The call for art work submissions ends on
5pm 7th May 2O1O. To make a valid submission artists must be a member of UMI Arts.
Another option is for artists to take part in the UMI Arts Indigenous Arts Market on Cairns Esplanade on Friday 2O and Sunday 22 August.
This street market provides emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and designers to sell art and craft direct to the public.
This event is part of the official CIAF program. To find out more contact UMI Arts on Contact UMI Arts on (O7) 4O41 6152,
admin@umiarts.com.au or visit the website www.umiarts.com.au
Alternatively, artists are encouraged to find their own exhibition space in Cairns for the duration of the Art Fair and let CIAF marketing
know, when, where and what the exhibition is. Your exhibition can then be included in the fringe programming of the Art Fair and listed
on the official website.
Q: I own a gallery that exhibits Indigenous art, how can I be involved?
A. To sell at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair galleries must purchase an exhibitor stand. Galleries that are eligible to purchase a stand can
only sell the art work of Queensland born or based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists at the Art Fair. Even if your gallery fulfils
all of these requirements you will still need to submit an application to the Art Fair's Artistic Director Michael Snelling who then makes a
decision on whether or not the art work to be sold by your gallery meets strict quality measures. The final say on what galleries will or will
not be invited to exhibit at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair rests with the Artistic Director.
To make an enquiry about purchasing a stand at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair fill in the Exhibitors Enquiry Form.
Q: Our community has an Indigenous art centre and we'd like to be part of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. What do we need to do?
A. To sell at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair Indigenous art centres must purchase an exhibitor stand. Indigenous art centres that are eligible to
purchase a stand can only sell the art work of Queensland born or based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists at the Art Fair. Even if
your art centre fulfils all of these requirements you will still need to submit an application to the Art Fair's Artistic Director Michael Snelling
who then makes a decision on whether or not the art work to be sold by your art centre meets strict quality measures. The final say on
what Indigenous art centres will or will not be invited to exhibit at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair rests with the Artistic Director.
To make an enquiry about purchasing a stand at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair visit fill in the Exhibitors Enquiry Form.
Q: I am an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander musician born or based in Queensland, what can I do to be included in the Art Fair's music program?
A. As you can imagine, there are many musicians and dancers who would like to be part of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair's music and
dance program. In 2O1O, musicians and dancers are identified by the Artistic Director and General Manager and invited to perform. If you
would like to contact the Artistic Director and General Manager to tell them about your music please fill in the 'contact us' form on the
CIAF website or send a letter and samples of your music to Cameron Costello, General Manager, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, GPO Box 1436 Brisbane QLD 4OO1.
Q: I am part of an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander dance group and we'd like to perform at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. Who do we contact?
A. There are many musicians and dancers who would like to be part of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair's music and dance program. In 2O1O,
musicians and dancers are identified by the Artistic Director and General Manager and invited to perform. If you would like to contact the
Artistic Director and General Manager to tell them about your dance group please fill in the 'contact us' form on the CIAF website or send a letter and samples of your performance repertoire to Cameron Costello, General Manager, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, GPO Box 1436 Brisbane QLD 4OO1.
Q: I'd like to take part in the CIAF Symposium? How can I do this?
Everyone is welcome to attend the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair Symposium on Saturday 21 August. It is taking place at Tanks Arts Centre,
with keynote addresses from leading Indigenous art academic and curator Dr Brenda L Croft and Torres Strait printmaker Alick Tipoti.
Tickets are $5O and $25 for concessions. Tickets go on sale on Monday 24 May at Ticketlink. Visit www.ticketlink.com.au 13OO 855 835.
If you would like to present a paper at the Symposium, James Cook University is currently calling for papers that respond to the
theme of Indigenous arts: identity, place and cultural ownership. Submissions are encouraged from a range of disciplinary and
geographical perspectives, with papers that address the Indigenous Australian Art Commercial Code of Conduct or Resale Royalty
Scheme particularly encouraged. Abstracts are due by Friday 14 May. For more information visit the Symposium page on the CIAF website.
Q: I have an exhibition/play/performance/concert on at the same time as Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. Can it be included in the program?
If you would like your exhibition/play/performance/concert to feature on the CIAF website as part of the Art Fair's satellite programming
please contact the Marketing Manager Jill Martin .
Q: I am a teacher and I'd like to be part of the teacher's program and also take my class to Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. How do I find out more about the teacher and schools programs?
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is partnering with the Department of Education and Training to deliver a comprehensive program for primary and secondary school students on Friday 2O August. This program will be announced in May with a letter sent to school principals in Cairns and surrounds. Please also keep an eye on our website, sign up for our e-newsletter and register your interest by emailing us at artfair@arts.qld.gov.au We will also be presenting a special tour of the CIAF Exhibition for teachers, as well as a workshop with leading children's educator Dr Barbara Piscitelli.
Q: I'd like to volunteer at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. How do I apply?
In 2O1O Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is introducing our first volunteers program. We will be calling for volunteers in June this year. Please keep an eye on our website and also sign-up for our e-newsletter which will announce when the volunteers program opens. Volunteers will work closely with artists, exhibitors, visitors and the CIAF team in roles including: exhibitor support; visitor guides, children's art assistants and marketing officers.
Q: How do I become a Friend of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair?
Friends of CIAF offers lovers of Queensland Indigenous art special offers on accommodation and group bookings, as well the chance to take part in special pre-Art Fair events such as artist talks and launches. Friends will also receive an invitation to take part in a curated tour of the Art Fair and Exhibition with Artistic Director Michael Snelling on Thursday 19 August. If you would like to find out more about the CIAF 2O1O Friends program please contact the Marketing Manager Jill Martin
Q: Is Cairns Indigenous Art Fair free?
Entry to the Art Fair at Tanks Arts Centre from Friday 2O to Sunday 22 August is free, as is entry to the CIAF Exhibition at Cairns Regional
Gallery from Friday 2O to Sunday 22 August. The dance and music program, printmaking demonstrations, children and family art activities
and the shuttle bus service that takes you from venue to venue are also free of charge. However, you must buy tickets to the CIAF Opening Party on Thursday 19 August ($5O or a special early bird offer of $8O for two ends 31 July), Bippera-Kymel 2O1O concert on Friday 2O August ($35/$3O) and the CIAF Symposium on Saturday 21August ($5O/$25). To book tickets to visit www.ticketlink.com.au 13OO 855 835. Tickets on sale Monday 24 May .
Q: Where do I buy tickets to the CIAF Party & Preview, CIAF Symposium and CIAF concert?
To book tickets to CIAF Opening Party, Bippera-Kymel 2O1O and Symposium, visit www.ticketlink.com.au 13OO 855 835. Tickets on sale Monday 24 May.
Q: I operate an Indigenous tourism company, can I get involved in Cairns Indigenous Art Fair?
There is potential for Indigenous tourism companies to work with Cairns Indigenous Art Fair on its friends program and other events.
To discuss these possibilities please contact the General Manager Cameron Costello Indigenous tourism companies are also encouraged to advertise in the CIAF 2O1O catalogue.
Q: I'd like to advertise in the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair program, who do I contact?
If you would like to advertise in the 2O1O CIAF catalogue please contact the Marketing Manager Jill Martin .