Cairns Indigenous Art Fair an international hit

The Newman Government has declared the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) a huge success, attracting thousands of visitors to Far North Queensland.

Arts Minister Ros Bates says collectors and curators from around the globe bought up big, with the event recording major sales.

“Almost $600,000 in art was sold at CIAF and satellite venues,” Ms Bates said.

“That’s a major achievement, and brings to $2.4 million the total value of Indigenous artworks purchased from the Festival since 2009.”

“Buyers included the National Gallery of Australia, the Federal Government’s Art Bank, the University of Queensland Art Museum and the Sprengel Museum in Hannover.

“This is a major coup for Queensland, showcasing the wonderful work of our artists on the international stage and bringing it closer to more people at home as well.”

More than 300 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders from across the State displayed their work during the festival.

Minister Bates says 16,500 people attended the event, which played a significant role in boosting Queensland as a cultural tourism destination.

“CIAF has injected more than $4.3 million dollars into the local economy over the past four years,” she said.

“Events like this will help the Newman Government reach its target of doubling overnight visitor expenditure to $30 billion in Queensland by 2020, and building on tourism as one of the four pillars of the economy.”

CIAF is a Queensland Government initiative funded through the Backing Indigenous Arts program, with additional funding from Events Queensland.

[ENDS] 29 August 2012

Media Contact: Casie Scott, 0432 453 225