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.
We are looking for a CEO/Director (Parental Leave Position) for 12 months.
The CEO/Director (Parental Leave Position) leads Next Wave in the delivery of long-term strategic objectives, facilitating organisational growth and the realisation of Next Wave’s vision and mission. This role sets the tone for internal culture and represents Next Wave externally. Stewarding the implementation of a renewed strategic plan in the organisation’s 40th year, this year-long role has a focus on fundraising and stakeholder management to support organisational change.
We welcome applications from First Nations people and people who reflect a diversity of lived and cultural experience.
PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS
• Lead the team through organisational change, providing stability through mentorship.
• In conjunction with Next Wave’s 40-year anniversary, raise the profile of the organisation through advocacy and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop a strategy for Brunswick Mechanics and Next Wave’s relationship with venue management.
• Evolve and implement fundraising strategy to increase and diversify income.
• Foster and strengthen organisational partnerships with arts and non-arts organisations.
SELECTION CRITERIA
• Ability to engage with racial justice and cultural equity frameworks, reflecting both professional and lived experience.
• Experience in a management/leadership role in an arts organisation, not-for-profit or business.
• Ability to lead a small team with diverse responsibilities.
• Demonstrated relationship management skills, including ability to liaise effectively with a range of stakeholders. This includes artists, arts organisations, funders, government agencies, donors, and philanthropic foundations.
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
For all enquiries, please contact Next Wave Board Chair, Amrit Gill. To submit an Expression of Interest, please email chair@nextwave.org.au by Thursday 28 September 2023 with a CV and a cover letter addressing the selection criteria and the following questions:
• What excites you about joining the Next Wave team and taking this leadership role right now?
• How did you contribute to a work culture that you have enjoyed being a part of?
• Tell us about a significant fundraising campaign you’ve led – can you talk to your process and what you learned from the experience?
• Tell us about a mentor/manager/leader you have had, and how that has shaped your work life?
• Is there anything you would like us to know about how you work and/or what you need to take on this role?
Position description and full application pack here.
Next Wave 2023 Program Launch by Mae Hatrick (2023)