Indigenous artists from some of the most remote regions of Australia will gather on 5-6 July 2025 for the sixth National Indigenous Art Fair (NIAF) — a two-day ethical art market and festival held on Gadigal Land at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks, Sydney.
This iconic annual event will be held on Sydney Harbour’s stunning foreshore and showcases the latest award-winning ideas and innovations from Indigenous artists, designers and makers from remote art centres around the country, with each community bringing their particular range of unique handcrafted and limited-edition items produced using locally sourced materials, natural fibres, dyes and the distinctive style of their region.
From stunning original artworks to design objects, fashion, jewellery, homewares, and native dyed and hand-printed textiles, these artisans work closely with the resources found in their own environment.
“The NIAF also represents an incredible gathering of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives from across Australia and all the different styles of art of those regions, with many artists travelling from the far corners of Australia — from the Bathurst Island to Yuendumu in the Northern Territory to the Tanami Desert of WA," said Peter Cooley, CEO of First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation, which organises the art fair.
"It presents a rare and exciting opportunity for Sydneysiders to interact directly with the makers.”
In the spirit of 2025’s NAIDOC Week theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, NIAF will feature a vibrant program of live music and dance performances including an interactive weaving circle.
There will also be an Indigenous bush food plant and food offering, with dishes featuring native Australian plants and edibles prepared by a guest chef (or two) on the BBQ.
An exciting new addition this year is the Shop at the Runway, with an Indigenous fashion runway and Flash Mob show as part of the Art Fair which will highlight new collection pieces of NSW and remote designers that can be then purchased at the Art Fair.
Officially welcoming these remote practitioners to Sydney, NSW artists, designers, and makers from Australia’s premier authentic First Nations marketplace — the Blak Markets — will join them at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.The sixth annual art fair is proudly presented by Sydney-based First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation, in partnership with the Port Authority of NSW, Destination NSW, University of Technology Sydney, Place Management NSW, the City of Sydney, Nelson Meers Foundation, Macquarie Foundation, Gilbert+Tobin and The Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program.
Remote artists travelling to Sydney will also be able to participate in First Hand Solutions’ Heart in Art program, which provides economic and professional development opportunities to First Nations artists working in remote communities.
This includes a three-day professional development program for artists to connect them with urban-based arts and cultural institutions and creative arts workshops prior to the event.
With a full schedule of live experiences, including talks, demonstrations, tastings, children’s workshops and performances from 10am daily, it’s a great day out for the entire family. Everyone’s welcome to look, listen, learn and join in.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for Sydneysiders to visit a gathering of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists all in one place" said Cooley.
"We also ensure the art fair is an ethical marketplace where you can buy artworks directly from Indigenous artists from remote community-owned art centres in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.”
The National Indigenous Art Fair attracts over 10,000 visitors and will be held at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks, from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, 5 July and 10am to 4pm on Sunday 5 July 2025.
