Page 32 - Tropic Magazine Issue 25

TROPIC • COVER STORY

GOING DIGITAL
With so much at stake, CIAF decided to go
digital, in a big way. This celebrated annual
showcase of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander arts and culture will utilise an
innovative, online format and the world is invited
to attend.
In the spirit of its 10 year tradition, CIAF 1
2020 – The Cultural Evolution is a digital
translation of its physical event program that
in this 11th iteration is bookended by opening
and closing ceremonies with a series of live
stream presentations, performances, webinars,
workshops, community spotlights, conversations
and virtual gallery exhibitions. Rolling out over
10 days between Friday 14 August and Sunday 23
August 2020, this year’s CIAF will also set up the
event’s digital infrastructure for years to come.

PROFOUND REFLECTION
CIAF’s Artistic Director Janina Harding said this
year’s program was much more than a series of
events that can be embraced, engaged with and
enjoyed online.
“At a profound level is a reflection of First
Peoples’ resilience and survival skills,” Janina
said. “From the outset of pandemic restrictions
CIAF as an organisation was asking what it
could do to continue supporting artists and
communities who have come to rely on the
event. For Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander communities, CIAF plays an
integral role in cultural sharing, understanding
and in particular, artists’ social, emotional and
economic welfare.
“After making the decision to go online we have
confronted a number of challenges along the
way but have also had great support from the
community and, especially, our funding partners
who have joined with us and are also really
excited to present CIAF in its digital format.

FRESH OPPORTUNITIES
According to Ms Harding, this new era for CIAF
has presented fresh opportunities and ways of
doing things that she believes will be a legacy
they carry on in future events.
“We have been speaking regularly with the
Mayors of Far North Queensland’s councils,
artists and the Torres Strait Regional Authority
who are all very positive while also working
with a number of new and different businesses
than we normally would from videographers
and producers to those who specialise in virtual
technology,” she said.

32 • Tropic • Issue 25