The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) has already achieved a record breaking $5.1 million in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art sales this year, a milestone across the Fair's 19-year history, with the renowned event overall stimulating the Northern Territory economy by $14.99 million.

To date, 2025 marks DAAF's highest sales record and continues a five-year running streak from 2021-2025 of clearing the $4 million mark for its participating Art Centres. Over the past ten years (2016-2025), DAAF has generated over $34.2 million for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art sector.

Presented by the DAAF Foundation, this year's inspiring event returned as hybrid model in-person and online in August, hosting a total of 78 Art Centres who collectively presented 1,800 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, presenting over 12,000+ distinctive artworks for the public to purchase.

DAAF ensured 100-per-cent of all artwork sales revenue flowed directly back to the Art Centres and artists involved.

This year's attendance of 15,538 in-person and 13,130 virtual participants reflects the strong community engagement the Fair continues to foster both on-ground and online.

The Fair serves as a global platform where visitors can authentically engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and ethical purchasing practices, with Art Centres reporting that on average six per cent of sales were to international buyers, ranging to up to 35 per cent of their total sales.

The success of this year's Fair demonstrates the continued strength and appeal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, both contemporary and traditional mediums, while providing crucial economic pathways for remote and regional communities across Australia.

DAAF Foundation executive director, Claire Summers, shared her excitement over the growth of the event.

"This year you could feel the sense of community in the air - there was a joy that our First Nations creatives felt in coming together for this national celebration of culture and art," she said.

"Audiences also felt this energy and enjoyed immersing in the authentic opportunity to engage directly with First Nations artists and discover their rich cultural and artistic practices and storytelling. Their understand that their art purchases contribute in a genuine and meaningful way to supporting our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

"Alongside the Fair, we were proud to run a vibrant and immersive showcase of cultural exchange through our public program with artist masterclasses, workshops, and cultural performances, as well as the return of the Cultural Keepers Program."

Barkly Regional Arts was among the 78 participating Art Centres at DAAF, breaking a personal record with $104,000 in combined online and in-person sales. Representing over fifty Aboriginal artists from five remote communities across the Barkly region in the Northern Territory, the collective is celebrated for contemporary works that preserve and celebrate ancient cultures and languages through art.

Among them was young mother and emerging artist, Suesella Foster from Epenarra, whose distinctive works on metal were particularly sought after for their unique depiction of Country.

For artists like Foster, DAAF's impact extended beyond sales figures by connecting them with audiences who recognise the true value of their work.

Barkly Arts strategically held Foster's pieces for months specifically for DAAF, knowing the Fair would showcase her work to an audience that would truly appreciate it. With the decision proving to be transformative - the Fair's platform enabled significantly higher returns than local sales alone would have.

Stories like Susella's are one of many examples on how DAAF continues to provide essential opportunities for remote Art Centres, connecting artists with collectors who understand both the cultural significance and market value of their work.

This year, DAAF Foundation's Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) returned to Larrakia Country with two major fashion events: the 10th Country to Couture and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards, spotlighting some of the nation's most exceptional fashion and textile creatives.

"This year's events continued to reach new heights. After receiving 69 nominations, with 38 emerging and established designers gaining national recognition as shortlisted finalists at the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA), while the 10th anniversary of Country to Couture (C2C) attracted its largest audience yet with 20 showstopping collections," said IFP manager Michelle Maynard.

As a grassroots community of changemakers building sustainable fashion futures, IFP represented 229 First Nations crew, 114 designers, artists and Art Centres across the week to empower First Nations voices.

2025's record-breaking results reinforce DAAF's position as Australia's premier Indigenous art event, with the Foundation heading towards their landmark 20th anniversary in 2026.

The Foundation relies on donations to continue supporting its Art Centre members, helping Indigenous artists and remote communities to not only survive but to thrive.

The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation is also excited to officially announce that the 20th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair is returning to Darwin and online from the 6th to 9th of August 2026.

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