Cairns Airport celebrates the physical return of Far North Queensland’s much-loved cultural event and tourism drawcard with an elevated, three-year sponsorship package.
Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker said the organisation’s new and collaborative Cairns Indigenous Art Far (CIAF) partnership recognises the integral role Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture plays in regional tourism.
“In the event’s 13th anniversary, after two challenging, COVID years, Cairns Airport is proud to renew its support for CIAF and looks forward to welcoming back visitors, including art collectors and curators, from across Australia and overseas,” Mr Barker said.
While the partnership involves CIAF leveraging promotional opportunities across Cairns Airport’s significant digital and social media platforms, it will also transform designated space within both terminals into striking, themed displays in the lead up to next month’s event.
Over the past 13 years CIAF has welcomed approximately 300,000 visitors from the Far North, Australia and abroad, to experience Queensland’s two very distinct First Peoples’ cultures.
CIAF Artistic Director Janina Harding said while the event offers a multitude of benefits from boosting the regional economy, supporting artists, and generating wider understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait art and culture, its future relies heavily on community support.
“The significant support CIAF receives from sponsors such as Cairns Airport, flows straight to programming, while also expanding the inclusion of First Nations’ artists, dancers, musicians, and performers from across Queensland.
“Cairns Airport’s major sponsorship is a truly wonderful endorsement for what we offer our artists and visitors and indeed, everyone who converges in Cairns for our annual celebration,” Ms Harding said
“This year’s event is all about renewal and growth and we cannot wait to welcome everyone back, albeit to our more spacious new hub within the award-winning and impressive surrounds of Cairns Convention Centre,” she said.
Taking cue from theme, Masters of Country, CIAF 2022 will feature the work of approximately 300 visual artists and 150 performers across a mostly free, multi-arts program from Wednesday 6 July to Sunday 10 July 2022.
CIAF works collaboratively with sponsors to strengthen and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and culture. CIAF offers a genuine partnership with ethical, cultural experiences to reinforce the sponsor’s commitment to Reconciliation and Corporate Social Responsibility.
To view CIAF’s 2022 program and find out more, visit www.ciaf.com.au