Nextfest is a thousand times greater than the sum of its thousand parts.

It is a co-mingling of artists and audiences. It is the best entertainment deal in town. It is an eleven-day village party. It is the creative and it is the development of the creative. It is a platform for a generation’s energy, confidence, curiousity, and passion. It is a triumph of participation over competition: a network of partnerships threaded into a web-shaped vision of a community of communities. It’s a baby spider, a pretty girl, a yellow umbrella, the aroma of lilacs, dirt, heavy rain. It is Edmonton at its greenest. It’s a garden, it’s a garden, it’s a garden of opportunity, an eschewing of quantity, an embracing of quality, a faith that some of the seeds that we plant will bear fruit that will be harvested by others, and there is an acceptance that this is a positive thing, a right thing, a beautiful thing, a Canadian thing, a mutually supportive, cooperative, inclusive, long-term goals taking precedence over short-term gains thing. Nextfest is a seventeen year long rambling run-on sentence.Welcome.

Moreover. Nextfest is a curated multi-disciplinary arts festival dedicated to providing professional opportunities to young emerging professionals. The vast majority of work that Nextfest presents comes from a process in which artists submit proposals to a team of Nextfest curators. However, often something amazing appears when we keep our eyes open for the work that, for whatever reason, evades our submission process. That is how we came across this year’s Festival Image. We love it. And we just wanted to say that this image which you will be seeing a lot of in the next couple weeks is by a young, local, visual artist named VICTORIA GUZMAN. Thank You, Vic!

The Enbridge Nextfest Emerging Artist Awards are designed to recognize, encourage and support the initiative and excellence of young independent artists residing in Alberta. For the purpose of these awards, an emerging artist is defined as an individual who:

- is under the age of 30
- has completed an initial phase of training in their artistic field
- is on the cusp of visibility

The intention of The Awards is to support and encourage artistic activity. Awards are not intended to fund production costs, promotional materials, or post-secondary tuition. Assessment of nominees will be based on the uniqueness, plausibility, and community involvement of the articulated artistic activity.

How To Apply:

An individual artist will nominate him/herself for the award. The nomination will articulate the individual’s artistic activity, (past, present, and future). “Artistic activity” may include research, professional development, facilitation, or creation. It is highly recommended that if an artistic activity involves a partnership (e.g. a mentorship with an established artist) that evidence be provided confirming that partner’s participation (i.e. letter of invitation, letter of agreement, receipt of registration, etc).

Nextfest will not be responsible for the return of support materials, so please do not send originals.

The total award allocation for 2012 will not exceed $5,000. The quantity of awards will be determined by the jury, but generally each award is a minimum of $1,000. Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee an award. Awards will be announced and presented at the Nextfest 2012 Opening Ceremonies on June 7, 2012.

Nominations are to be sent to:

Enbridge Nextfest Emerging Artist Awards
c/o The Roxy Theatre
10708 124 St
Edmonton, AB
T5M 0H1

Or emailed to:
steve@nextfest.ca
Deadline: May 31, 2012

Nextfest 2012

Call for submissions for all high school playwrights, actors, directors, designers, stage managers, technicians, and theatre artists/creators

High school students are invited to work in a professional theatre setting and showcase their talent at Edmonton’s largest emerging arts festival, Nextfest 2012.

Ways to get involved:

Shadow a professional playwright, actor, director, designer (set/lighting/costume), stage manager, theatre technician, or dramaturg while they produce a show at Next Fest.

Submit your play to be considered for a staged reading or full production.

Work on a production written by a high school student as an actor, director, designer, or stage manager.

We respond to unique artistic proposals: send us your script, idea, musing, or rant.

There are also opportunities for those interested in dance, choreography, music, visual art, and film & video.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: MARCH 31 2012

Contact Laura Raboud or Steve Pirot for more information

Laura Raboud, High School Mentorship Coordinator: boo@nextfest.ca or 780-637-9110

Steve Pirot, Nextfest Festival Director: nextfest@theatrenetwork.ca or 780-453-2440

All shows $10 | Day Pass $18 | Festival Pass $40 | Many Free Events

For tickets and information, please call The Roxy Theatre Box Office at 780.453.2440

400 Artists | More than 50 Events | 11 Days

Edmonton’s annual rocking and raucous showcase of young emerging artists!

An 11 day celebration of the artistic voice of the next generation featuring new theatre, dance, music, visual art, film and multidisciplinary collaboration.

It’s a party, and you’re invited.