Segar Passi “Stima kor kor” 2012 | Cairns Art Gallery Collection. Purchased 2012
Our Partners
The first projects financially supported by the Double R Arts Foundation provide the Cairns Art Gallery with exciting new opportunities to expand its reach and grow its reputation for innovative programs that celebrate Far North Queensland art and artists, and its unique position in the Asia Pacific region and the world’s tropic zone.
About the Cairns Art Gallery
Cairns is one of the most beautiful and exciting tropical locations in the world. Housed in a landmark heritage building, the Cairns Art Gallery is enviably located in the heart of the city’s central business district and vibrant tourist precinct.
The Gallery began as a community-driven initiative in 1979 to establish a public art gallery for the region. The project culminated in the official opening of the Cairns Art Gallery in 1995, after the transformation of the historic Public Curators Building, built in 1936, into an award-winning gallery space.
Today the Gallery is recognised as one of Australia’s leading public art institutions, renowned for the quality and excellence of its exhibitions and public programs. The extensive Permanent Collection is a significant cultural legacy that brings together major historical and contemporary works by artists who have lived and/or worked in the region or have cultural connection to this country.
“Queen’s Land: Blak Portraiture” exhibition installation, Cairns Art Gallery, 2019
Making a difference
In 2023, the Double R Arts Foundation’s support marked a new chapter in the history of the Cairns Art Gallery.
Inspired by the breadth and diversity of art and artists in the region, and the success of its programs, the Foundation Directors continue to seek new and meaningful ways to support the Gallery, and its research interests. To this end it is exploring new ways or providing support for art projects that have public outcomes, and which engage the local community and inspire visiting audiences from around the world.
Gallery programming and research interests
“The art produced in our region is informed by and created in response to the unique set of historical, social, cultural and environment conditions that prevail in this exciting part of the world’s tropic zone.”
Andrea May Churcher, 2023
“FNQ Contemporaries” exhibition installation, Cairns Art Gallery, 2022
Gallery team
The Gallery Board and staff are passionate about the Gallery’s role as an artistic leader. Through programs and activities that inspire audiences and are outwardly driven, the Gallery strives to make a difference to the way we see and experience art – now and into the future.
Double R Arts Foundation Support
The Double R Arts Foundation’s support is additional to annual core funding received from the Cairns Regional Council. This additional funding enables the Gallery to find new and sustainable ways to support aspirational career pathways for artists who live and work in the region and promote their art to national and international audiences.
“Ritual: the past in the present, North Australian and Asia Pacific Art” exhibition installation, Cairns Art Gallery, 2021
Become a Cairns Art Gallery member today
Join the Cairns Art Gallery community, find inspiration through art and help support their vision to showcase the region's unique culture to the world