The 2025 Kickstart Showcase turned Brunswick Mechanics Institute into a buzzing hub of ideas, conversation and creativity. Over two days, our eight Kickstart artists threw open the doors to their worlds, inviting audiences to experience their works-in-progress up close and even become part of the process.

Kickstart is all about giving early-career artists what they need most: time, space, mentoring and the freedom to take risks. This year’s Showcase was a perfect snapshot of that spirit. Nothing polished or final, just brave, bold ideas finding their shape in real time.

We loved seeing so many of you leaning in, asking questions, sharing thoughts and helping shape these projects as they grow. That is what Kickstart is all about: connection, experimentation and imagining what art can be together. Thanks for being part of it. We cannot wait to see where these works go next, and we hope you will be there when they take their next big leap.

A huge thank you to our incredible 2024–25 Kickstart artists for sharing their ideas, courage and creativity with us. This program is built on their generosity, of time, imagination and trust, and we are so excited for audiences to experience the unique worlds they have been building over the past 18 months.

Works shared during the weekend
An.Other Collective (NSW/VIC), A Cluster of Printed Hijab Panels
Ellamay Fitzgerald (QLD), Outdoor Kitchen
Georgia Lucy (TAS), Gough and Margaret’s Bull Clip
Jayda Wilson (SA), (Un)Silenced
Jen Datu (WA), THE MACHINE NEEDS A HEART
Rachel Morley (VIC), Art Isn’t Going to Help This Town (working title)
Rarriwuy Hick (NT), The Banyan Woman
Sophie Dumaresq (AT), Beached as Bro…(I Love You).

More information about these artists.

These artists have been championed and supported by the Next Wave Artistic Directorate, whose insight and care have shaped the program: Libby Harward (QLD), Bruno Booth (WA), Rosealee Pearson (NT), Lucy Bleach (TAS), Marian Abboud (NSW), Yusuf Hayat (SA), Yuhui Ng-Rodriguez (VIC), and Sally Golding (ACT). The full program was facilitated by Lana Nguyen (VIC).