The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) invites audiences of all ages and abilities to experience a vibrant program of immersive cultural activities, performances, and participatory experiences as part of its 2026 public program, Reclamation & Regeneration.
Running daily from Friday July 10 to Sunday July 12 at the Tanks Arts Centre within the Botanical Gardens precinct on Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Country, the all-ages public programming is designed to foster intergenerational connection through storytelling, creativity, cultural sharing, and accessible engagement with First Nations art and culture.
From the interactive Púuna play space and dedicated Accessibility Hour to the culturally grounded Welcome Blak Home Elders Lounge and contemporary physical theatre performances by Circa Cairns, CIAF 2026 positions participation, inclusion and cultural exchange at the heart of its festival experience.
CIAF artistic director Teho Ropeyarn said the public program reflects CIAF's commitment to creating welcoming spaces where people can meaningfully connect with culture, community and one another.
"CIAF is about bringing people together through culture, storytelling and shared experiences," he said.
"This year's public programming has been carefully curated to ensure audiences of all ages and abilities can participate in ways that are immersive, engaging and culturally enriching.
"From children learning through hands-on activities and storytelling, to Elders sharing memories and knowledge, these experiences celebrate the strength of intergenerational cultural exchange and community connection."
After its successful introduction in 2025, the Púuna play space returns in 2026, bigger and better, presented in partnership with PÚUNA, a global, First Nations-led creative platform focused on culturally grounded learning and play experiences for children and families.
According to founder Lia Pa'apa'a, engaging children is fundamental to strengthening the future of communities, cultures and creative industries.
"Reclamation and regeneration require investment in the next generation, "said Ms Pa'apa'a.
"With children and young people at the heart of the Púuna team, we create spaces where leadership can be practised, cultural knowledge can be shared, and future pathways can emerge."
Delivering daily hands-on workshops and interactive cultural learning activities, the curated outdoor space moves beyond the traditional children's area, encouraging creativity, participation, and deeper engagement with First Nations culture through play, storytelling, and making.
Adding a contemporary performance dimension to the public program, Circa Cairns will present a new female acrobatic duet exploring First Nations women's strength, leadership and storytelling through contemporary circus practice, alongside participatory youth workshops focused on confidence, connection and cultural pride.
CIAF's dedicated Accessibility Hour will run daily from 9 am to 10 am at Tanks Arts Centre, offering a quieter and more relaxed environment with reduced sensory stimulation for visitors who may benefit from a calmer experience.
Crowd numbers will be limited during this time to support visitors with disabilities and sensory sensitivities, as well as those seeking a more accessible way to experience the Art Fair.
Meanwhile, in the shade of the Fig Tree near Tank 4, the Welcome Blak Home Elders Lounge, by Flashblak founder Kerry Klimm, will serve as a dedicated gathering place for Elders to rest, connect, yarn, and share stories in a welcoming environment inspired by home, memory, and cultural continuity.
Responding to place and community, Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Elders will also present storytelling sessions and cultural arts and crafts activities for children, inspired by ancestral stories from Yidinji Country, creating opportunities for cultural learning and intergenerational exchange.
CIAF 2026 public programming also includes guided tours, exhibitor floor talks, cultural demonstrations, masterclasses, music, dance performances and immersive art installations across the festival weekend.
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