Nextfest
presented by EPCOR and The Nextfest Arts Company
EPCOR and the Nextfest Arts Company present Nextfest, Edmonton's multidisciplinary arts festival dedicated to the cultivation and professional development of the emerging artist. Our annual June festival runs for ten days with over eighty performances in multiple venues throughout the Edmonton downtown area, celebrating new theatre, dance, cyber-art, music, painting, photography, filmmaking, poetry. Nextfest encourages emerging artists to explore inter-disciplinary work, multi-media, and new technologies.
Festival Producer Bradley Moss created Nextfest in 1996 in response to the lack of development and practical opportunities for the emerging artists. “I was interested in creating a meeting place where young artists can exchange ideas and feed one another’s creativity and establish artistic relationships” – says Moss in the Nextfest Anthology.
Festival Director Steve Pirot expanded Nextfest to a ten-day format in 2002, Under Steve’s guidance Nextfest has increased from 300 to 400 emerging artists and now draws over 7000 folks down to our various venues. Steve has also expanded the new technology area and increased timelines to help the new work become further developed.
As of 2008, EPCOR is the title sponsor for Nextfest. They are committed to supporting Nextfest as the festival expands in size and scope with unique programming created entirely by the emerging professional artist.