Launched in August 2023, this inaugural iteration of A Rising Tide was guided by Next Wave’s Young Creative Lead, Nickila De Silva, and Lead Program Producer, Frances Robinson. The program aimed to prioritise experimentation, risk-taking, and innovation in curating, community-building, and culture-making. Over the course of 15 months, the program evolved to meet the unique needs and challenges faced by its participants.
Central to A Rising Tide was the Next Wave concept of ‘radical hospitality’, which encouraged each member of the collective to curate projects tailored to their respective communities and practices that featured shared feasts as a vehicle for creative exchange. This approach was informed by a commitment to accessibility, cultural safety, and ethical practice in the arts.
Highlights of the program included:
Next Wave’s Young Artistic Directorate partnered with Brunswick Music Festival, PHOTO 2024, BlakDot Gallery and Brunswick Music Festival to present a special performance inspired by the exhibition Future Rivers: When the Past Flows. This was the directorate’s first curatorial project, and invited them to experiment with their collaborative/curatorial framework—asking the question, ‘Who gets to decide and why?’
The Young Artistic Directorate were responsible for collectively curating Next Wave’s 40 year birthday party. Titled during:next, the party transformed Brunswick Mechanics into a futuristic performance space, emphasising the idea of evolution that builds on the past. Audiences were invited to dress however they liked, bring whoever they wanted to soak in the past, present and future of Next Wave. ’
MaggZ’ project (nexus) was a multi-sensory event of experimental dance battles, cuisines and a party. (nexus) invited you to explore the theme of Devour, where they implore us to ask the question, “What does it mean to Devour? How does it feel to Devour? And why are we being Devoured?”
ShareHouse took over Brunswick Mechanics Institute for a weekend in October for community-led workshops, performances and conversations. Carefully curated by Banda after many years of wanting to host an event like this, one that invited people to think of ‘art spaces’ more like a community living room or sharehouse. Half of ticket sale profits for this event were donated to Baluk Arts, supporting First Nations artists.
In collaboration with artist Winni Birner and We Eatin’ Good, Free Breakfast was an event informed by the values and legacies of the Black Panther, Polynesian Panther and Australian Black Panther parties. This event was a celebration and meditation of global Black and Brown resistance and mutual aid. As well as this, it was a space for knowledge exchange and the sharing of resources, food and words. Funds raised from this event were donated to mutual aid.
The Vision Board Workshop, led by Lydia Tesema, was designed to empower attendees to visualise their dreams, set meaningful goals, and take actionable steps toward their future. By combining creativity, reflection, and networking, this event aimed to provide a transformative experience for all participants in a vibrant, supportive atmosphere. Funds raised from ticket sales were put back into the growth of Lydia’s business Below The Surface.
The resources respond to ‘what you wish you knew or had as a resource when you first started as a Young Artistic Director’ and ‘what would you like to offer back to your community’.
These are currently being developed and will be available mid-year.
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