culture
Emerging talent voices and the next wave to watch
Wollongong's latest crop of under-30 creators is drawing attention with work rooted in the Illawarra's industrial past and coastal present.
How we reported this
Twelve artists aged between 19 and 29 will open new exhibitions and performances at two Wollongong venues next month as part of the city council's annual Next Wave program.
The timing coincides with a post-pandemic push by local arts bodies to rebuild audiences through younger voices, after visitor numbers at major galleries dropped sharply in 2022 and 2023.
Venues and programs in focus
The shows will run at the Wollongong Art Gallery on Burelli Street and at The Hub on Crown Street in the central business district. Both sites sit within walking distance of North Wollongong train station, making them accessible for commuters from the southern suburbs and the northern beaches.
Creative Wollongong, the council's arts unit, selected the participants after reviewing 450 applications received between March and May this year. The program pairs each artist with a mentor drawn from established Illawarra writers and musicians.
Council figures released last week show youth arts event attendance rose 25 percent in the 2025 financial year compared with the previous period. Ticket prices for the Next Wave events start at $15, with concessions at $10.
Next steps for audiences
Full program details and booking links appear on the Creative Wollongong website from 15 July. Walk-up tickets will also be available at the gallery box office on Burelli Street from 20 July onward.