New leadership for Next Wave

Next Wave is seeking a new CEO as we enter the next phase of our evolution as a leading not-for-profit arts organisation.

Since 1984, over 7000 artists and creative practitioners and innumerable arts trailblazers have shaped Next Wave as an organisation.

It is with bittersweet fervour that we add our most recent leaders to our list of alumni: CEO/Director Jamie Lewis, who will not be returning to Next Wave following a period of parental leave; and Acting CEO/Director Jacina Leong, who is finishing in the interim role in December.

Jamie commenced at Next Wave in 2021, bringing a wealth of experience as an artist, curator, dramaturg and facilitator. She was the catalyst for Next Wave’s move away from the festival model and towards more sustainable programming and a year-round focus on mentorship of emerging creative practitioners.

In 2023, while Jamie undertook the journey of motherhood, Jacina stepped in to continue this work.

An artist-curator, academic and experienced arts leader, Jacina was instrumental in securing Next Wave’s ongoing tenancy at Brunswick Mechanics Institute
and in shaping our Strategic Plan 2025–28—the next phase of our evolution.

Both are finishing at Next Wave to pursue their respective practices and projects.

Jamie Lewis says, “It has been a privilege to steward a small chapter in Next Wave’s 40 years. I am grateful for the trust of the sector, and the Board and Staff, especially in supporting the model change. Next Wave has seen many lives — and it enters another iteration, as I am re-entering artistic practice as a parent. I am excited to see how Next Wave will continue to flourish — responding to and enabling the creative practices of young people and their communities, now and into the future.”

Jacina Leong says, “As I finish in my role as Acting CEO/Director, I want to express my gratitude to the extended community of practitioners (artists, arts workers, supporters) whose collaborative generosity and commitment to the future of Next Wave, has made stepping into this role possible. Thank you to the Next Wave Board and Staff for welcoming me to be part of this organisation. I look forward to seeing how Next Wave continues to evolve and build on its impactful legacy, supporting early-career practitioners to test, develop and share their creative practice, and creating open and welcoming spaces for communities to gather and engage in creative experimentation.”

Next Wave’s chairperson, Amrit Gill, says “This organisation has been on the most extraordinary journey over the past four years. Guided by the considered leadership and vision of Jamie Lewis, and then Jacina Leong, Next Wave has taken risks and led the way in modelling best practice in supporting the careers of emerging artists. It has been the continuation of a 40-year legacy that has touched the careers of so many creative practitioners in our industry. On behalf of the Next Wave Board, I want to express my deepest gratitude and admiration to Jamie and Jacina for their stewardship of this special organisation.”

Next Wave invites applications from dynamic and passionate arts professionals for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO will lead Next Wave in the delivery of long-term strategic objectives, facilitating organisational growth and realisation of the organisation’s vision and mission.

Next Wave’s next CEO will guide the implementation of our revised Strategic Plan 2025–28, which outlines our focus on artists, programming, community and partnerships from our homebase at Brunswick Mechanics Institute.

View the CEO job listing for more information on how to apply