2026 Programme Announcement
Our 2026 20th Anniversary Festival programme is now live and tickets are on sale.
Read more20th Anniversary Festival: 1 - 31 October
DonateA creative explosion of arts, culture and science
Bloomsbury has always been a hub of creativity and the New Wave opportunities in art, music and theatre seek to nurture the new wave of talent, at the start of their professional careers, by offering exhibition space and performances during the festival with cash prizes and grant support for the winners. Bloomsbury Festival and invited panellists from local institutions and professionals have selected entries for presentation in each of the three categories of New Wave emerging talent.
Speaking about this year’s competition, Festival Director Rosemary Richards said: “We are delighted in 2024 to exhibit and present work of 20 emerging professional artists (and their associates) in fine art, music and theatre, to take this step into their chosen careers. These are all outstanding talents selected by panels of professionals, representatives of the venues, and leading specialist institutions, and we could not be prouder of the work we are sharing with our audiences”.
New Wave Music winners will perform in free lunchtime concerts at the 2024 Bloomsbury Festival in October.
At the Music Room, 49 Great Ormond Street:
THE HOURS (A SONG RECITAL): MARYAM WOCIAL (SOPRANO)
A costumed song recital exploring the mysteries of self-consciousness through the writings of Virginia Woolf and other acclaimed authors. With Maryam Wocial (soprano) and Archie Bonham (piano).
SEI SOLO: YENTE LOTTMAN (VIOLIN)
Yente Lottman explores the profound connection between solitude and humankind and the solitary nature of the solo violin, with music from Bach and Bartók.
DIALOGUS: JULIAN CHAN (PIANO)
Prize-winning pianist Julian Chan presents a captivating solo piano recital exploring the themes of spirituality and dialogue.
At City Lit Recital Room:
ISAAC SHIEH (NATURAL HORN)
Featuring new works by composers of our time, Isaac Shieh shines the spotlight on an instrument that is rarely heard in a solo setting, the natural horn.
MESSIAEN’S QUARTET FOR THE END OF TIME
An intimate performance of Messiaen’s masterpiece, written in a prisoner of war camp. Performed by Kosuke Shirai (clarinet), Violetta Suvini (violin), William Lui (cello) and Jeremy Chan
(piano).

Images
Top: Kosuke Shirai, Violetta Suvini, William Lui & Jeremy Chan
Bottom: Isaac Shieh

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Our 2026 20th Anniversary Festival programme is now live and tickets are on sale.
Read more
Festival Podcast Production and Radio Training Hosted by the Bloomsbury Institute Volunteer opportunity – If you would like to learn new skills in podcast production and live and recorded radio broadcasts you can apply for our Bloomsbury Festival podcast and
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NEW WAVE: OUR PLATFORM FOR EMERGING ARTISTS Our New Wave programme seeks to nurture emerging artists and creatives at the start of their professional careers, by offering performance opportunities, cash prizes, and grant support. We are delighted to announce opportunities
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