Next Wave is a leading not-for-profit arts organisation dedicated to supporting early-career artists working across multiple art forms. Next Wave plays a defining role in the Australian arts landscape by empowering and advocating for early-career and experimental artistic practice in Australia.
Through mentorships, creative developments, public programs, events, live performances and partnerships, Next Wave creates spaces for gathering and exchange, ambition and experimentation, and meaningful community connections.
Established in 1984 as a biennial Festival, Next Wave now runs a year-long program from our home at Brunswick Mechanics Institute, in Naarm/Melbourne. As Next Wave continues to evolve in response to the changing nature of artist and sector needs, its commitment to investing in and nurturing artists at the most critical stage of their career remains constant. Next Wave’s program enables artists and audiences to test ideas and push boundaries that embrace new perspectives, challenge our thinking and platform the next generation of cultural leaders.
See what we’ve been up to lately.
Check out our upcoming events.
View our festival archive, 2002–2020.
Read our Strategic Plan 2026-29.
From the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Eastern Kulin Nations, Next Wave is privileged to traverse the land and waterways of this continent of many nations – to share in the act of art making and culture building – grounded on justice, friendship and care. This always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.
Since its beginnings as a biennial festival in 1984, Next Wave has continually adapted – both to the changing needs of artists and to the shifting cultural and political climate in which art is made and experienced.
– — Strategic Plan 2026–29
Vision
A world shaped by artists.
Purpose
Next Wave champions, supports and resources early-career artists through creative development, peer exchange, new commissions, and industry pathways that empower them to experiment, take risks and lead change.
Values
Next Wave’s values inform our activities. Every aspect of the organisation – including programming, partnerships, funding, curation, staffing, communications and relationship-building – are guided by, grounded in, and expressions of, our values.
Justice
Supporting First Nations cultural protocols, self-determination and cultural safety, across all aspects of our operations and programming, knowing that truly experimental work is only possible when artists are supported to create from a place of dignity, power, and care
Minimising barriers to access and participation for artists and audiences, to reflect diverse stories, cultures and experiences
Ensuring equitable, ethical and inclusive work conditions for artists and arts workers
Friendship
Fostering reciprocal relationships based on generosity, learning, respect and exchange — not just as a way of working, but as catalysts for bold ideas and unexpected collaborations to ignite and flourish
Sharing our skills and resources with an expanding network of artists, communities, organisations and audiences
Cultivating friendship is how we build artist-led communities that shape culture across the sector
Care
Creating a culturally safe organisation and valuing care as creative practice — creating safe spaces for early-career artists to take big risks
Designing programs that prioritise sustainability, reflection, and long-term development
Centring care at the core of everything we do — care for artists, for each other, and for the world around us