20 October 2023
Now in its third year, the six-month long Helpmann Academy Creative Innovator Program culminated in an exciting finale at Pridham Hall, UniSA on Wednesday 18 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.
Gemma Salomon writer, director and producer for film and TV was presented with $20,000 in start-up funds to use towards building sustainable business pathways for her production house Whisper Tree Productions.
Whisper Tree Productions is a femme-focused genre film and TV house. Its focus is sophisticated genre with a hint of the absurd. Gemma is planning to share more of her vision over the coming weeks and has encouraged femme writers or directors to reach out and get in touch with her.
“This seed funding will allow me to work with other femme writer and directors to develop the genre projects of our dreams – building a community of creatives who share in each other’s success. I’m so excited for what comes next… I feel like I just fast tracked a few years in six -months!”
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.
Generously supported by the South Australian Government through Arts South Australia, K&S Langley Fund, Nunn Dimos Foundation, Amanda Harkness & Karen Barrett and Perks Accountants & Wealth Advisors, the program takes inspiration from the technology sector, where incubators, labs and accelerator programs help to foster new business ideas and applies it to the creative industries.
The Program would not be possible without the support from our partner institutions, Flinders University, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia.
Gemma was selected by an expert panel consisting of Paul Daly, ThincLab Defence Trailblazer Entrepreneurship Program Manager at the University of Adelaide; Julia Miller, Community Development Manager at Flinders University’s New Ventures Institute; Craig Jones, Deputy Director from the Innovation & Collaboration Centre at the University of South and Andrew Leunig of Andrew Leunig Advisory after pitching her 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 at the University of Adelaide was proud to provide two incubator spaces for six-months in 2024, to Mark Curtis and Josh van Konkelenberg. This includes access to 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 New Venture Institute was excited to offer an incubator space in their eNVISION incubator to Haunted Cow Collective. This six-month residency opportunity provides: desk space, and access to all incubator support initiatives (including mentors, events and workshops; and access to Incubator Community Builder activities
The Innovation & Collaboration Centre, at the University of South Australia was proud to provide a six-month place in the Venture Incubator Program in 2024 to Black Aperture. This includes access to a dedicated workspace, social events, industry experts and professional services support, and workshops. They will also receive pitch and development support and one on one implementation guidance sessions with a dedicated business adviser.
In addition to the incubator spaces, Andrew Leunig of Leunig Advisory will provide one-on-one expert business coaching services to Ellis Moseley and Bailey Donovan and State Theatre Company South Australia are once again generously offering ongoing mentoring, alongside in-kind access to production and artistic staff for consultation and feedback on projects, and access to the State Theatre Company’s stock set and costume items where available to, Famous Last Words.
Class of 2023 Creative Innovator Program participants:
- Kate Burgess, Caroline De Wan, and Hanna Instrell-Walker of Alchemy Dance Collective
- Alessia Lunetta, and Benjamin Raschella of Black Aperture
- James Watson and Emelia Williams of Famous Last Words
- Kaitlyn Davison, Sydelle Mullen, and Frances Cohen of Haunted Cow Collective
- Mirjana Dobson, Ceramic Artist
- Bailey Donovan of Bailey Donovan Glass
- Mark Curtis of Mark Curtis and the Flannelettes
- Michael Harpas of Arida Hiems
- Alice Hu of Alice ink wonderland / Wonderers Studio
- Ellis Moseley, Ceramic Artist
- Gemma Salomon of Whisper Tree Films
- Josh Van Konkelenberg of Music Hacks
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:
- Alex Bosnich
- Andrew Camens
- David Tidswell
- Dom Zerella
- Hollie Ravenscroft
- Martin Short
- Sanja Hiziak
- Tim Haslam
And, a final thank you to our creative mentors:
- Adam Dionisio
- Brian Gilbertson
- Chris Drummond
- Chris Luscri
- Colin Cornish
- Con Gerakaris
- Dan Crannitch
- Dani Raymond
- Danielle Rickaby
- Dean Toepfer
- Erin Fowler
- Julian Hobba
- Kristian Moliere
- Krystyan Mcleod
- Llewelyn Ash
- Molly Reynolds
- Riley O’keeffe
- Suzanne Close
- Tim Whiffen
- Will Spartalis
Congratulations to all the participants and we look forward to another year of creative entrepreneurship in 2024!
Images: by Jack Fenby