Opening Night
Be the first to experience the Opening Night of the National Indigenous Art Fair on Friday 3 July. This exclusive evening offers early access to one of Australia’s most celebrated gatherings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, art centres and cultural leaders, brought to life through art, performance, fashion and music.
Opening Night is your first opportunity to explore and purchase works from remote community-owned art centres across the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, while connecting directly with artists who have travelled to Sydney through First Hand Solutions’ Heart in Art program. Supporting more than 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from remote communities, the program creates vital opportunities for economic and professional development while bringing extraordinary contemporary Indigenous art and culture to the heart of Sydney.
The 2026 Fair program has been shaped by an exceptional team of First Nations creatives and cultural leaders, with Opening Night showcasing a vibrant line-up of live music, performance and fashion. Guests will experience performances by rising Darumbal and Tongan R&B artist Mi-Kaisha, intergenerational Yuin choir Djinama Yilaga, and Mawumbul, a powerful dance work choreographed by Jo Clancy and Stuart McMinn, alongside a fashion parade curated by Billie-Jean Hamlet celebrating fashion as cultural expression.
More than a preview, Opening Night is a rare opportunity to experience the energy, creativity and cultural exchange that define the Fair, all before the weekend officially begins.
Mawumbul
Choreographed and directed by renowned cultural practitioners Jo Clancy and Stuart McMinn, the performance brings together traditional movement, song and contemporary expression to share the strength and continuity of Aboriginal culture.
Jo Clancy is a Wiradjuri choreographer, dancer, teacher and mentor with more than 30 years of experience working nationally and internationally. Founder of the Wagana Dance Collective and Cultural Dance Supervisor at NAISDA, Jo is a leading figure in Aboriginal dance education and cultural practice.
Stuart McMinn is a cultural educator and performer from the Dharug and Gubbi Gubbi Nations. With more than 17 years of professional performance experience, Stuart is widely respected for sharing cultural knowledge through dance, workshops and community engagement, creating meaningful opportunities for audiences to connect with the world's oldest living culture.
Mi-Kaisha
Mi-kaisha is a First Nations and Pacific Islander vocalist, songwriter and producer whose music blends R&B, soul and pop influences. Raised within Sydney’s Aboriginal community, she brings a powerful voice and deep commitment to storytelling, advocacy and cultural connection. With her distinctive sound and compelling stage presence, Mi-kaisha has emerged as one of Australia's most exciting contemporary artists, using music to celebrate identity, community and self-expression.
Billie-Jean Hamlet
Billie-Jean Hamlet is a Walmajarri and Yamatji model from the Kimberley region of Western Australia and one of Australia’s leading First Nations fashion figures. She has worked internationally across New York, London and Milan, appearing in leading fashion publications including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire and RUSSH.
Passionate about sustainability, community and representation, Billie-Jean is committed to creating meaningful connections between fashion and community while advocating for greater accessibility and environmental responsibility within the industry.
As Fashion Curator for the National Indigenous Art Fair, Billie-Jean brings a strong focus on Kimberley talent, cultural storytelling and the celebration of First Nations fashion as a powerful form of expression, identity and connection.
Djinama Yilaga Choir
Djinama Yilaga Choir is an intergenerational Yuin choir dedicated to revitalising and renewing the Dhurga language of the South Coast of New South Wales. Through performances at major events, festivals and cultural institutions, the choir celebrates the resilience of language, culture and community, sharing powerful stories of renewal and connection to Country