Next Wave’s flagship creative development program, Kickstart, is underway, supporting a new cohort of early-career artists to develop ambitious new work over an 18-month period.
Celebrating 25 years of championing emerging talent, Kickstart has supported hundreds of artists, producers and arts leaders in the early stages of their careers, many of whom have gone on to shape Australia’s contemporary arts sector.
The 2026–27 program brings together eight early-career artists from across disciplines to develop new work for public presentation while building creative networks, strengthening professional skills and exploring new opportunities for their practice.
Through mentorship, curatorial and production support, professional development, peer exchange and networking, participating artists are supported from the early stages of an idea through to its development and public presentation.
Two Wyndham artists, Justin Enrico Legaspi and Ming Liew, have been selected for dedicated places in the program, providing valuable opportunities to develop their creative practice, build professional networks and connect with the broader contemporary arts sector.
Next Wave’s home at Brunswick Mechanics Institute serves as a creative hub for workshops, conversations, experimentation and community engagement, connecting artists and audiences through shared creative experiences. The program will continue through 2027, culminating in a public presentation of the artists’ work.
Through this partnership, Wyndham City continues to support local creative talent and strengthen pathways for early-career artists to develop their practice and contribute to Victoria’s contemporary arts landscape.