As I predicted last October, the board of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair has announced the appointment of Teho Ropeyarn as Artistic Director, effective immediately. Teho, who has served as CIAF’s Acting Artistic Director since October – though CIAF’s website actually announced him then as AD – and earlier as curatorial associate, brings extensive expertise, creativity, and a deeply rooted passion for First Nations art and culture to the role.

CIAF CEO Dennis Stokes welcomed the appointment, emphasising its significance for the organisation’s future. “The Artistic Director is a significant and visionary role that is pivotal to the event’s positioning within and across Australia’s First Nations arts and cultural scape, programming, and ultimately, success,” Mr Stokes said. “Teho is highly regarded among the creative arts industry and the community, who respect his artistic endeavour and are inspired by his leadership. His innovative approach and commitment to elevating First Nations art and culture will take CIAF to the next level”.

Born in Kalkadungu Country/ Mount Isa and raised in Injinoo, Cape York Peninsula, Mr. Ropeyarn is an Angkamuthi and Yadhaykana man with ancestry on several Torres Strait islands. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the College of Fine Arts, UNSW. With over a decade of experience in curatorial and leadership roles, he has collaborated with more than 100 artists and produced over 30 exhibitions, including the acclaimed Goobalathaldin Dick Roughsey: Stories of this Land exhibition and Big Sculpture, CIAF’s first major touring project.

Ropeyarn’s curatorial expertise has been internationally recognised through several developmental opportunities, including participation in the Getty Paper Project at the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection in America, and the National Gallery of Australia’s Wesfarmers Indigenous Leadership Program.

Also an accomplished artist, Ropeyarn’s works have been showcased nationally and internationally, including the 23rd Biennale of Sydney, The National in 2023, Nuit Blanche in Canada, and the Queen Sonja Print Award in Norway. His artworks are part of significant collections, such as the National Gallery of Australia and the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art.

Reflecting on his appointment, Teho said, “I am honoured to officially take on the role of Artistic Director at CIAF – a wonderful multi-dimensional platform that showcases incredible art, sparks conversations, and creates opportunities that empower First Nations artists and communities. I look forward to continuing this journey and sharing our vibrant stories with Queensland, Australia, and the world.”

Mr Ropeyarn’s appointment marks an exciting chapter for CIAF as it continues its mission of promoting the diverse voices and stories of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This year’s theme is Pay Attention! CIAF will be held from Thursday 10 July, to Sunday 13 July 2025 and will present a varied program of mostly free events combining art, performance, music, and culture to delight audiences and generate social, cultural, and economic benefits for Gimuy/Cairns and Far North Queensland. CIAF’s new event hub is at Tanks Arts Centre in the Botanical Gardens environmental and cultural precinct of Gimuy/Cairns after several years in a number of different Cairns venues.