4 October 2024
Now in its fourth year, the Creative Innovator Program provides the next generation of creative entrepreneurs with the platform and in-depth support to turn their ideas for a creative enterprise into reality, and most importantly, empowers them with the tools to make it happen right here in South Australia.
Arts innovation is embedded in South Australia’s identity. In a first of its kind, the Helpmann Academy’s Creative Innovator Program adopted the techniques of the technology sector – where incubators, labs, and accelerator programs help to foster new business ideas – and applied them to the creative industries.
The six-month long Creative Innovator Program culminated in an exciting finale at the new Flinders City Campus, Festival Tower on Thursday 3 October.
The recipient of the major seed funding was announced by The Honourable Andrea Michaels MP, Minister for Small and Family Business, Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs and Minister for Arts.
Tarntanya-based art-folk band Wake in Fright was presented with $20,000 in start-up funds to undertake a significant Australian and international publicity campaign to support the release of their forthcoming 12-track record, The Modern Shoe Is Ruining the Foot, ahead of a tour. The album seeks to examine the complexities and contradictions of modern life through the sonic and lyrical lens of folk music.
Wake in Fright is Allan McBean on upright bass, Jachin Mee on drums and backing vocals, Luka Kilgariff-Johnson on electric guitar and banjo, Sam Wilson on vocals and guitar, and Thea Martin on violin.
Graduates from the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide, Sam, Jachin and Thea took part in the program. Band members Allan and Luka are currently studying at the Elder Conservatorium of Music.
On receiving the major seed funding, Sam reflected on the quality time and mentoring opportunity afforded to the band.
“The most crucial thing about the Creative Innovator Program was that we had so much time to devote to thinking about our practice and how to make it viable. The mentoring element of this program is truly invaluable. To work with someone in the industry and get funding and time to understand how they could help us was amazing,” said Sam.
For Jachin, it was a steep learning curve.
“I think, as a creative, it can be very scary to learn about business, but once we got into the program, the benefits become immediately apparent. Sometimes you have to eat your vegetables when it comes to the creative practice,” said Jachin.
The Creative Innovator Program provides participants with $2,000 in seed funding; matched one-on-one mentoring from an established arts practitioner; access to workshops and masterclasses delivered by leading business professionals; contact with a pool of industry experts and business advisors; access to a co-working space; and networking and pitching opportunities.
The 2024 program was generously supported by our University Partners and Program Supporters:
- Amanda Harkness & Karen Barrett
- Andrew Leunig Advisory
- Arts South Australia
- Flinders University
- Immersive Light and Art
- K&S Langley Family
- New Venture Institute, Flinders University
- Perks Accountants & Wealth Advisers
- Square Holes
- State Theatre Company South Australia
- Studio Veld
- Talent Academy
- The Innovation & Collaboration Centre, University of South Australia
- ThincLab, University of Adelaide
- University of Adelaide
- University of South Australia
Wake in Fright was selected by an expert panel consisting of Jason Dunstone, Founder and Principal Researcher at Square Holes; Paul Daly, ThincLab Defence Trailblazer Entrepreneurship Program Manager at the University of Adelaide; Peter Stevens, Director: Enterprise Partnerships from the Innovation & Collaboration Centre at the University of South Australia; and Verity Kingsmill, Director Entrepreneurial Growth and Development, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students) at Flinders University New Venture Institute after pitching their business idea in a shark tank-style pitch event.
Several participants were also gifted spots in the prestigious incubator spaces at Helpmann Academy’s partner institutions.
ThincLab was proud to provide a six-month incubator program to Rotpunkt – an independent, Adelaide-based theatre collective that creates electrifying and current art, drawing upon diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences. This opportunity includes a desk space in ThincLab, access to their broad range of programs and facilities, invitations to attend masterclasses and events, as well as one-on-one meetings with ThincLab experts.
Flinders University New Venture Institute was excited to offer two incubator spaces in their eNVISION incubator to Riley Fraser-Waters and clarice would like a word. This six-month residency opportunity provides desk space; access to all incubator support initiatives, including mentors, events, and workshops; and access to Incubator Community Builder activities.
Madison Siegertsz and Tully Templeman’s screen production company clarice would like a word. aims to make filmmaking more accessible for underrepresented groups. They are currently developing a sustainable production pipeline through their Writers Wanted and Matchmaking Service Programs.
Riley Fraser-Waters is a skilled art department practitioner in the Adelaide film industry.
The Innovation & Collaboration Centre at the University of South Australia was proud to provide a six-month placement in their Venture Catalyst Incubator Program to Aiden Van Nielen. Aiden is an Adelaide-based corporate videographer who loves working with clients to tell their stories. This opportunity includes access to a dedicated workspace, social events, industry experts, professional services support, and workshops. Aiden will also receive pitch and development support and one-on-one implementation guidance sessions with a dedicated business adviser.
This year, an additional award from Immersive Light and Art (ILA) was presented to Shifting Shapes Collective, a pioneering South Australian motion capture performance training business founded by Brittany Gallasch and Christoff Moolman. Valued at over $16,000, this generous award includes office space, a creative outcome at ILA, as well as $10,000 cash to support start-up costs.
In addition to the incubator spaces, Andrew Leunig of Leunig Advisory will provide one-on-one expert business coaching services to Sam Matthewman from Artful Installations.
State Theatre Company South Australia once again generously offered ongoing mentoring, alongside in-kind access to production and artistic staff for consultation and feedback on projects, to Katherine Sortini, the founder of award-winning independent theatre company Deus Ex Femina.
Class of 2024 Creative Innovator Program:
- clarice would like a word. is Madison Siegertsz and Tully Templeman
- Shifting Shapes Collective is Brittany Gallasch and Christoff Moolman
- Rotpunkt is Franca Lafosse, Lauren Jones, Luke Furlan, and Shant Becker
- Wake In Fright is Allan McBean, Jachin Mee, Luka Kilgariff-Johnson, Sam Wilson, and Thea Martin
- Aiden Van Nielen
- Amelia Walmsley
- Hamish Netting
- Katherine Sortini
- Riley Fraser-Waters
- Sam Matthewman
A huge thank you to the team at Perks once more for their ongoing support of the Creative Innovator Program. Thank you to the following business mentors for sharing their knowledge and time:
- Aaron Jenkin
- Alex Bosnich
- Andrew Camens
- Bradley Cornish
- David Tidswell
- Emily Nettle
- Harry Collison
- Hollie Ravenscroft
Thank you to the creative mentors for their guidance in 2024:
- Ace Ruele
- Charlotte Abroms
- Chris Drummond
- Denise Eriksen
- Dominic Weintraub
- Esther Coleman-Hawkins
- James Dodd
- Lisa Bishop
- Marcus McKenzie
- Nic Jeffries
- Robin Tatlow-Lord
The Honourable Minister Michaels also announced that the program would be running in 2025, and applications will be opening in November 2024.
Congratulations to all the participants! We look forward to another year of creative entrepreneurship in 2025.
Images: Danny Howe