Returning for its 19th year, the internationally recognised Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair has opened to the public.

Commencing on Friday, the largest national event of its kind is free to attend and offers art and design enthusiasts, travellers, and locals the opportunity to ethically purchase artwork directly from more than 75 Indigenous owned community art centres.

This year the fair's public program includes masterclass workshops led by artists, industry leaders and cultural groups, traditional dance performances, artist talks, material demonstrations, children's activities and more.

DAAF 2025 has also been created with accessibility at forefront of mind, with this year's event also able to be accessed online. Visitors can shop artwork directly from a number of Art Centres via DAAF Online, which will run simultaneously with the in-person event.

Earlier this year DAAF Foundation's executive director, Claire Summers, spoke on the annual event which offers an immersive experience of authentic and diverse artwork.

"The beauty of our Fair is seeing all our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives express who they are, and their cultural heritage, through many different art forms. It is unlike any other experience in the world," Summers said.

"There is no other event like DAAF where audiences can genuinely connect with Australian First Nations artists from across our great country. We are proud that each year we are attracting more international visitation through both the physical and online components of our event.

"DAAF offers an inspiring opportunity for visitors to hear from First Nations creatives and artists about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, design and culture."

Commenting on the fair's impact to both designers and the economy, Summers said DAAF is unlike any other commercial fair.

"We are providing a space where, yes, there is magnificent art to buy, but equally it offers a truly unique experience, bringing audiences and exhibitors together, to connect, to learn and share, and to build a strong future for First Nations creatives," she said.

"Our Fair also generates over $11.34 million in economic benefits to the Northern Territory each year, and returns 100% of sales generated at our event back to the Art Centres and their communities."

At the 2025 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair opening, member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour MP, expressed her support for the fair and what it means for Indigenous creatives.

Scrymgour praised the fair as a powerful celebration of culture, identity and expression, encouraging visitors to invest directly in artists and their communities.

Also reflecting on making history as the first Aboriginal person to chair the Australia's House of Representatives chamber, Scrymgour also spoke of the long and often painful road to representation, urging young Aboriginal men and women to step into politics.

"What a show, what a celebration of how important art, the fabrics, the paintings, all of this means to our communities their identity but also the really important expression that comes across from every bit of cloth…all of thats on display here," Minister Scrymgour said.

"I'm looking forward to getting around to all the stands, i have already been to one stand, probably spent way to much money but it is worth the investment and i think you know thats what people should see… is buying directly from those artists and from their centres is a really important investment, not just for the artist, but for those communities."

This year the DAAF Foundation also announced its new chair, Nadine Lee, who serves on the board as the Larrakia representative to embed Larrakia Nation's values in the Garramilla (Darwin) based events, which is fundamental to the organisation.

Additionally, DAAF Foundation announced its new artistic director, Simon Carmichael, who will be steering the artistic programs and creative direction of the organisation.

DAAF 2025 is set to see hundreds of locals and guests attend in the coming days.

Last year's event saw more than $4.3 million in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art sales and a further $11.3 million injected into the Northern Territory economy.

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