A Look Into the Future at Next Wave

Next Wave started with one simple idea: to spotlight the next generation of teen creators in all disciplines. Whatever your craft, there’s a place for it here.

Right now, Next Wave is a one-person project, and building this platform from scratch on my own has been one of the most exciting experiences ever. But in the next 2–3 years, Next Wave will be bigger than just submissions and features. It will continue to grow into a full community with more ways to create, collaborate, and connect. Let's take a look into what the future holds at Next Wave.

Future Additions to Next Wave:

• The Current Newsletter (currently in development)

• Blog Writers/Editors

• Creative Team/Media Management

• Submission Review Team

• Ambassadors/Chamber Presidents

• Live Events (currently in development)

• Big Annual Conference- think TEDx for a teen audience and more)

• Podcast (Current news and culture, as well as Next Wave news)

Expansion Timeline

Next Wave first started with our first Instagram post on May 18, 2025. As of now, we have eight featured teens and six submissions up on our Instagram and on The Wave. That may sound small, but it’s the foundation of something much bigger. Every feature, every post, and every submission is building toward a larger vision.

That’s why today, we’re sharing a look at what’s next: our roadmap for what the next few years could look like:

1. Applications for Blog, Submission, and Creative Teams

   We’re gearing up to expand Next Wave behind the scenes by opening applications for our very first teams. Soon, we’ll be looking for teen writers and editors to contribute to our blog, creative minds to design visuals and media, and reviewers to help sort through submissions. These teams will be the backbone of Next Wave, helping us grow from a solo project into a true teen-powered platform. Applications aren’t open yet, but they’ll be simple, welcoming, and focused on passion over experience.

   
   

2. Talks of Next Wave's first in-person events

   While Next Wave lives online right now, we’re already imagining our first in-person gathering. Picture a small, community-centered event with teens coming together for a showcase of all of their work, plus a panel with local creators or college students. Add in a networking mixer, interactive Arts-and-Crafts stations, and an open mic, and you’ve got our first ever event. It’s casual, low-cost, and designed to prove that Next Wave can bring people together in real life.

   
   

3. More Submissions and Features (of course!)

   At its core, Next Wave will always be about spotlighting teen creators. As we grow, we’re committed to continuing featuring teen creators on our social media platforms and on our website. Submissions are always open, and always will be with no deadlines, no restrictions. Our goal is to build a library of creativity where teens can see their work showcased and celebrated. The more we grow, the more creators we can spotlight, which is why this is so important.

   
   

4. Ambassadors and Chamber Presidents

   In the near future, we’ll be opening opportunities for leadership roles within Next Wave. At the top, three Presidents will guide the platform: one for The Arts, one for The Crafts, and one for the overall community. Under them, Ambassadors will represent specific fields of discipline within the two sections of Next Wave. Ambassadors will recruit submissions, run prompts, and build mini-communities in their category, while Chamber Presidents oversee their branch. This structure ensures that every creative field has a voice, and that Next Wave remains teen-led at every level.

   
   

5. Podcast/Youtube Show

   One of our long-term goals is to launch a podcast or YouTube show by and for teen creators. Think of it as part culture, part spotlight, part resource hub. Episodes could feature interviews with featured creators, conversations about youth innovation, and updates on contests, opportunities, or events. It’s a chance to bring our community to life in a new format and give teen voices a platform beyond written submissions.

   
   

6. The End Goal: A Next Wave Conference

   So where do we really want Next Wave to go? Well, here's the big vision. Imagine a flagship Next Wave Conference—a global, TEDx-style event with workshops, panels, and more. Over three days teens would come together for keynotes from industry leaders, live teen showcases, multiple workshop tracks (from Arts to STEM to Social Impact), and a networking fair with colleges, publishers, nonprofits, and companies. This event would not only spotlight the next generation of creators, but also connect them with opportunities and mentors from the present.

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Why Share This Now?

You might be wondering: why share a 2–3 year roadmap when Next Wave is still just starting? Because Next Wave was never meant to be small. From the very first post, the goal was to create something lasting—a platform where teen creators of all disciplines could be seen, heard, and celebrated. Sharing this roadmap now is about giving you, our earliest supporters, a glimpse into the bigger picture. You’re not just watching this grow—you’re part of building it.

How You Can Be Involved Today

Even though applications aren’t open yet, there are still so many ways to get involved:

Submit your work: Whatever you're working on aspiring to do—research, dive into your future career early, writing, coding, music, design, activism, and more—you can share it with us right now.

Engage on socials: Comment, share, or tag other creators who should be featured.

Spread the word: Every new follower or submission helps us reach more teens and strengthen the community, which helps us make advancements faster.

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Important Note

This is a teaser only. Applications are not open yet, and there is no set timeline for when they will be. The purpose of this post is to give our community a transparent look at how Next Wave will grow over the next few years.

If you’re interested in joining when the time comes, stay tuned to our socials. Everything will be announced there first.