The National Indigenous Art Fair (NIAF) has launched its most ambitious edition to date, transforming The Cutaway at Barangaroo into a vibrant celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, culture and community from July 3-5, as NAIDOC Week began.

Now in its seventh year, the National Indigenous Art Fair presented almost 30 Indigenous art centres from across Australia and brings together over 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists who have travelled to Sydney to share their stories, culture and artistic practices.

Marking the inaugural cultural event to be hosted at The Cutaway following its major transformation, NIAF is the largest presentation of First Nations art and culture within the venue.

The 2026 program has been shaped by a team of First Nations curators including Miah Madden (Bundjalung) who has curated The Living Room exhibition showcasing highlight works from the participating art centres; Matt Poll (South Sea and Torres Strait Island) who has curated the talks program; Kaleena Briggs (Wiradjuri/Yorta Yorta) who has curated the music program; and Billie-Jean Hamlet (Walmajarri/Yamatji) who has curated the fashion parade.

In another first for the Fair, the 2026 edition is supported by a distinguished group of First Nations Ambassadors: Rachel Perkins (Arrernte/Kalkadoon), Dennis Golding (Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay), Alison Page (Dharawal/Yuin), Jazz Money (Wiradjuri), Sebastian Goldspink (Burramattagal) and Daniel Browning (Bundjalung/Kullilli).

The Fair's marketplace offers visitors a unique opportunity to purchase artworks directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists at remote, community-owned art centres across the Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia. A major drawcard for both new and seasoned collectors, price points ranged from $100 to $30,000.

Guided by a mission to support economic development in remote Indigenous communities and strengthen the world's oldest continuous living culture, NIAF charged no commission or stall fees, with 100 per cent of profits going directly to the art centres.

This year's Fair showcased the breadth of Indigenous artmaking, with highlights including works by Kieren Karritpul from Merrepen Arts, Karen Rogers from Ngukurr Arts, Agnes Donnelly from Warnayaka Art & Cultural Aboriginal Corporation, Valerie Brumby from Walkatjara Art, Joseph Williams from Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre, Mary Gibson from Tjarlirli & Kaltukarjara Art, Rachel Luckan from Durrmu Arts, Joey Nganjmirra from Injalak Arts and Culture Centre and Rekeshia Goodwin from Spinifex Hill Studio.

Building on the success of previous editions, this year marks the first time in the Fair's history that the weekend has opened with an Opening Night event - held on Friday 3rd July, offering guests exclusive early access.

The program featured performances by rising Darumbal and Tongan R&B vocalist Mi-Kaisha, intergenerational Yuin choir Djinama Yilaga, a Wiradjuri and Dharug dance work by Mawambul, and a fashion parade curated by Billie-Jean Hamlet, celebrating the power of fashion as cultural expression.

One of Australia's leading fashion figures, Hamlet has appeared in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire and RUSSH, and fronted campaigns for Country Road. Grounded in storytelling, cultural expression and connection, the parade will showcase pieces from Merrepen Arts and Bula'bula Arts, and designers including MAARA Collective, Mimmim Design, Miimi & Jiinda, Clair Helen, Lillardia Briggs-Houston and Jarawee.

Curated by Kaleena Briggs, the NIAF music program opened on Friday the 3rd July with performances by rising Darumbal and Tongan R&B vocalist Mi-Kaisha, intergenerational Yuin choir Djinama Yilaga, and Mawambul, a Wiradjuri and Dharug dance work choreographed by Jo Clancy and Stuart McMinn.

On Saturday 4th of July, the program continued with performances by Gawura Cultural Immersions and pop-folk-jazz duo Microwave Jenny, while Sunday 5th July featured the Wagana Dancers and rising R&B singer-songwriter Riah.

The Living Room is a special exhibition curated by Miah Madden, presenting highlight artworks from the participating art centres, in a shared space at the heart of the Fair. Together the works celebrate the diversity, strength and collective presence of the art centres as living expressions of culture, community and creative continuity. Created in collaboration with Merrepen Arts, the exhibition features textiles with designs by artists Kieren Karritpul and Aaron McTaggart, upholstered onto furniture, inviting visitors to sit, gather and engage more deeply with the artworks.

NIAF 2026 also features an installation program showcasing the breadth and diversity of contemporary First Nations artistic practice.

Highlights include car bonnets by artists Fraser Peters and Myra Herbert from Warnayaka Art Centre, and a Mun-Dirra (Fish Fence) from Maningrida Arts and Culture, There are also moving image artworks on large-scale screens from Jilamara Arts, Papulankutja Artists and Numbulwar Numburindi Arts.

Positioning NIAF as a cultural forum for screen and moving-image practice, the program reflects the Fair's growing role in showcasing the full breadth of contemporary First Nations creative expression.

"The National Indigenous Art Fair feels privileged to host artists from some of Australia's most isolated communities in Sydney and to provide a platform for them to promote and sell their artworks, and host workshops, talks and installations demonstrating their unique arts and cultural practices," said Peter Cooley, First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation chief executive.

"The Art Fair and festival program is designed to welcome, educate and engage visitors. It's an occasion to meet remote community artists and hear their stories.

"It's also an opportunity to experience incredible performances and immerse yourself in the world's oldest continuous living cultures. We make sure there's something there for everyone to enjoy.

"We are proud that the National Indigenous Art Fair is the inaugural cultural event at The Cutaway and is the largest presentation of First Nations art and culture within the venue."

The Cutaway foyer. (Image: Barangaroo.com)

"We are proud to have partnered with the National Indigenous Art Fair to host the first Indigenous event at The Cutaway. This iconic Art Fair showcases the latest award-winning ideas and innovations from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, designers, and makers from around the country," said Susan Lee, chief executive of Placemaking NSW.

"It is the first of many major events to be held at The Cutaway including Sydney Festival and VIVID Sydney along with art exhibitions, festivals, performances and other community gatherings—securing Barangaroo as a cultural powerhouse."

The National Indigenous Art Fair is presented by Sydney-based First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation, in proud partnership with Destination NSW, University of Technology Sydney, City of Sydney, Macquarie Group Foundation, Gilbert + Tobin, Barangaroo and the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program. Mercure Sydney is the official hotel partner of the National Art Fair, offering a 15 per cent discount on accommodation for visitors.

Over 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists have traveled to Sydney thanks to support from First Hand Solutions' Heart in Art program, which provides economic and professional development opportunities to Aboriginal artists working in remote communities.

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