Melbourne City Square, with a quintessentially '80s titled (6000-people-strong) party, 'The Next Wave Boogie'. Before the Melbourne Festival was launched off the back of Spoleto, 1985 ushered in the state's major arts festival. In the year of Victoria's 150th Anniversary and International Youth Year, Next Wave was as timely as it was urgent as an expression of the state's emerging youth arts. Under direction from Andrew Bleby, the first festival set precedents to be built on in years to come: 80 per cent of events involved young artists, 90 per cent were Australian, and there were 13 regional festivals across Victoria. Kickstart Helix Kickstart Helix is Next Wave's major developmental activity, assisting early career artists across artforms, along with writers, curators and producers, to develop new work in a supportive environment. Taking place in the non-festival year, Kickstart projects are developed with a view towards inclusion in the forthcoming Next Wave Festival. Kickstart participants undertake a program of workshops covering all aspects of project development including creative development, budgeting and marketing as well as receiving ongoing administrative support and professional advice from the Next Wave staff during the Kickstart period. Kickstart programs culminate in developmental showings of the work-in-progress to peers, stakeholders and other Kickstart participants. See also List of festivals in Australia 2006 Commonwealth Games Australian Centre for the Moving Image Marcus Westbury References External links Arts festivals in Australia Recurring events established in 1984 1984 establishments in Australia