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 2025-28.
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.
Elyse Goldfinch is a curator and writer living and working in Naarm/Melbourne with a career focus on advocacy, collaboration, exchange and support for artists across generations. She is currently CEO at Next Wave, where she oversees a program of mentorship, creative development, events and partnerships, supporting early-career artists working across multiple art forms.
Most recently Elyse was Curator at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art where her curatorial projects included Tina Stefanou: You Can’t See Speed (2025), Tennant Creek Brio: Juparnta Ngattu Minjinypa Iconocrisis (2024), From the other side (2023-24), and Lucy Guerin: NEWRETRO (2023).Previously, Elyse was co-Chair, Firstdraft; Associate Curator, Artspace Sydney; part of the Curatorial Team, Australian Pavilion at the 59th La Biennale di Venezia; and Coordinator for Contemporary Arts Organisations Australia.
Elyse has published widely on contemporary art for Ocula, Art & Australia, un Magazine and Art Collector, as well as written and edited print publications for institutions including National Gallery of Australia, Artspace, ACCA, Monash University Museum of Art and Manly Art Gallery & Museum.
Natalia Sledz (she/her) is the Venue Producer & Operations Coordinator at Next Wave, where she leads the venue hire strategy and supports curatorial and operational objectives at the Brunswick Mechanics Institute. As an arts worker, artist and arts lover, Natalia has worn many hats in the arts world, with experience in performance, producing, venue management, facilitation, production, festivals and events. Alongside her own arts practice as a performer, she is passionate about fostering meaningful engagement and creating spaces where artists and communities can come together through joyful, dynamic and artistic experiences. With a love for taking a person-centred approach, she is passionate about creating space for artists to play and believes in the power of care, collaboration, and a well-timed snack break.
Maddie Lakos (they/them) is Next Wave’s ‘comms human’, which means they help manage our website, social media, ticketing, media and audience evaluation (among other things). Maddie has a background in publishing and editing as well as digital communications strategy for public and non-governmental organisations. They joined Next Wave in 2023, and this is their first arts sector role and they are thrilled to be ‘behind the scenes’ in an industry that they adore and value. When they’re not hanging out at Next Wave, they help run a pub football team, try to nurture their writing practice and spend a lot of time riding bicycles.
For all general enquiries, contact nextwave@nextwave.org.au