About

A Government of Artists

15 – 31 May
28 commissions
17 days 
Across Melbourne

In early 2019, Next Wave put out a national call for artists to form a Government. Responding to a divisive political ecology, major environmental destabilisation, growing economic inequality, and competing historical and cultural narratives, we invited artists to set the agenda for change.

We have devised and developed this program in collaboration with an inspiring and visionary cohort of Festival artists over eighteen months. The conversations have been deep, critical, generous and illuminating. The Festival has emerged from these conversations as a collective demonstration, harnessing that amorphous and indefinable energy called art, to rethink how we can be together in this time and place.

Next Wave Festival 2020: A Government of Artists asks, ‘What is possible if we centre ourselves in a politics of hospitality and multiplicity? What can we achieve together?’ We invite you to join us for 17 days, to listen and participate in this critical, courageous and celebratory act. This is not governance as you know it.

Next Wave

Next Wave is the most comprehensive platform in Australia for a new generation of artists taking creative risks. Next Wave delivers Kickstart, a nationally focused, artistic and professional development program, and major presentation opportunities through our biennial Festival and national partnerships program Next Wave X.

Next Wave also operates the Brunswick Mechanics Institute, a centre for experimental performance and artist-led learning, which enables us to support artists in the development and presentation of experimental work year-round.

Next Wave is a values-driven organisation and industry leader, advocating for cultural inclusion, broad accessibility, and best practice in environmental sustainability, with deep respect for the traditional custodians of the lands and waters that sustain us, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Staff

Roslyn Helper
Director/CEO

Priya Pavri
General Manager

Bron Belcher
Senior Producer

Sullivan Patten
Business & Operations Manager

Jacqueline Hanlin
Programs & Operations Manager (Brunswick Mechanics Institute)

Brigitte Trobbiani
Marketing & Communications Manager

Anita Spooner
Associate Producer (Partnerships)

Magenta Sheridan
Administration & Operations Coordinator

Nikki Lam
Associate Producer

Alec Reade
Associate Producer

Emily Sweeney
Associate Producer

Kalyani Mumtaz
Assistant Producer (Brunswick Mechanics Institute)

Lujayn Hourani
Marketing & Engagement Coordinator

Moorina Bonini
Engagement Coordinator (First Nations)

Bart Mangan
Production Manager

Jackson Coe
Ticketing Coordinator

Rosie Leverton
Next Wave Intern

Board

Vanessa Pigrum
Chair

Hinda Crosbie
Treasurer

Isthar Vij
Public Officer

 

Steven Rhall

Kristy Ayre

Stephen Armstrong

Lesley Gillan

Nicole Smith