You Can Ask That!
Who is the Helpmann Academy?
We’re a partnership between South Australia’s higher education institutions, that empower emerging creatives with professional development and funding opportunities.
Since 1994 we’ve been empowering emerging creatives, promoting SA as a centre for excellence in creative education, and contributing to the artistic community of the state.
What does the Helpmann Academy actually do?
We provide funding and professional development opportunities including grants, awards, fellowships, mentorships, masterclasses, workshops, advisory services plus local and international artist residencies.
Our opportunities are tailored specifically for South Australia’s higher education students, graduates and emerging artists.
Where do I find out about your opportunities? I never know what you guys are doing!
Sign up to our eNews. Hit the “SUBSCRIBE” button and join up. We always share funding and professional development opportunities here first.
Follow us on social media. We’re always posting about when opportunities are opening soon, when they’re open and then remind you when they are closing soon.
Instagram and Facebook are your best bet to see what we’re doing… but we’re on Tik Tok, Threads and LinkedIn.
How can I hear about things first? I always seem to miss out!
Sign up to our eNews. Hit the “SUBSCRIBE” button on our website and join up.
We always share funding and professional development opportunities here first.
Are you guys a real academy?
I love you guys! How can I get involved?
From time to time, we need extra help with our events and activities. If you have some time, skills and experience then we want to hear from you!
Hit the “VOLUNTEER” button in the footer on our website.
This will take you to a form you can fill out to register your interest in volunteering with Helpmann Academy. We will keep your information securely on file and call on you as needed.
Key times are around our annual Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition and A Night of Jazz events.
Help! I’ve graduated and I don’t know what to do. Can I book a general consult with you?
Yes, of course! We are here to support you.
A career in the performing or visual arts is a tough road to tread. We are here to help you – emerging artists graduating from our partners intuitions to develop connections and pathways for successful and sustainable careers.
We are here to walk alongside you as you make the transition from study to professional practice.
And, yes you can book a consult with us! To get the most value out of the consult, it’s best to have an idea of what you want to cover and what you hope to achieve through the consultation.
Who does the Helpmann Academy support?
Who is eligible for funding and support from the Helpmann Academy and for how long?
We support graduates from a range of creative degrees from our partner institutions for up 5 years, regardless of your age.
Some of our opportunities like our Creative Innovator Program and British School at Rome residency currently have expanded eligibility up to 7 years.
What programs and degrees are eligible?
If you’ve completed a creative industries or arts undergrad degree, at one of our partner institutions, you’re likely to be eligible for support.
Program and course names change from time to time, so best bet is to check our website at helpmannacademy.com.au/who-we-support/
We show the current program names from each university and do not list the “formerly known as” program name.
If your creative degree is not listed, just contact us and we can check your eligibility for you before you commence an application.
Will I need my Official Transcript for anything?
Yes, absolutely! You will receive access to a digital Official Transcript when you are conferred in your degree. You’ll need a copy of this important document when you apply for Helpmann Academy opportunities and more, so make sure you know how to access yours!
If you’re not sure how to access yours, your university’s student services should be able to help you out.
Do honours grads get an extra year?
Yes, if you’re an honours graduate, your 5-year eligibility is taken from the conferral date of your honours degree, essentially giving you an extra year of eligibility…provided your honours is done directly after your undergrad degree.
Can I apply for more than one Helpmann opportunity at a time?
This is a good question! Yes, you can.
We often have multiple opportunities open at once, and you can apply for as many as you like at the same time.
We just ask that you make sure each application is tailored to the opportunity and meets all the criteria, to give yourself the best chance of success.
Applying for a grant – Part one
How do I improve my chances of securing a grant?
We recommend you thoroughly read the Information for Applicants documents that we provide for every opportunity. Everything you need to know will be in this document.
Then, make sure you read the Application Form and check all the criteria.
Understand what’s involved and plan your time. You don’t want to miss the submission deadline.
Essentially most organisations want to know:
WHO – why me/ us?
WHY this project? Why you? Why now?
WHAT – keep on topic, get to the heart of the project and outline the impact
WHEN – include a detailed timeline
HOW – will you manage the project? How will you fund it?
Write drafts in Word, so you can spell and grammar check.
Write in first person. Avoid jargon, use ‘plain English’.
Don’t make assumptions! The panel don’t know you.
Think about video or audio submissions, if written submissions are not your thing. And, get in touch. Chat to us first and we can help you.
What’s a budget? Help!!
Firstly, we strongly suggest you attend our Write on the Money workshop which runs one to two times a year to learn more about budgets. And why they’re essential to your funding application.
Budgets tell the story of your application – don’t look at your budget in isolation.
The budget isn’t only a way to give an idea of how much a project costs, it also allows granting body to see how realistic you are about what the project entails.
Be clear about what expenses you are asking us to cover (this will also help with any changes and your acquittal)
Check the totals, and check again! You must provide a balanced budget, ensuring that the total expenditure equals total income (i.e. they need to be the same number).
A complete budget includes expenses and income. Please include all possible income and designate as confirmed or pending.
Helpmann provides a budget template and budget example for you to use.
Lastly, get in touch with us if you need further help.
What’s an acquittal? Why do I have to do one?
An acquittal is a report on your funded activity and its expenditure. You provide this to Helpmann at the end of your activity. Generally, an acquittal includes artistic and financial reporting. We have an online form that you will use to submit your acquittal.
Make sure you know your acquittal due date and check what is expected of you. You don’t want any surprises!
Look back at your application and what you said you would do. Give details of what you could and couldn’t achieve. Explain any variations to your original application.
Include images of the project/work developed if available.
Keep copies of any media coverage your project receives for inclusion in your acquittal.
And… ensure your acquittal is submitted on time.
Why was I unsuccessful?
You won’t win everything you apply for, but you will learn what to do next time.
We’re a ‘training ground’ for emerging creatives to learn about grant writing, so make sure you ask for feedback on why your application was unsuccessful.
Give yourself a week or so after you have been notified, before reaching out to us. You may want to give yourself a little time to digest the news, before receiving feedback.
Finally, be kind to yourself! Each application is a learning opportunity.
Applying for a grant – Part two
How do I write a winning grant application?
You’re not going to win everything you apply for, but following these tips will give you a cracking chance.
Ensure you write in the first person. Use your voice.
Write from the heart, but make sure it’s articulated well. Good applications share a clarity of vision and enthusiasm.
Do not include jargon or “art speak” – write in “plain English”.
Don’t make assumptions that the panel knows any details about you or the project.
Get someone to read it – preferably not from an arts background – and make sure they understand your application.
Provide short clear answers that are easy to ready. Dot point and headings are good! No one wants to read a thesis!
If writing is not a strong skill of yours, consider recording yourself and submitting a video or audio file, just contact the funding body to make sure this is OK.
Make sure your material is professional quality and relevant to the purpose of the application and grant program. All support material needs to be up to date.
Do not use an old endorsement letter! When requesting support or endorsement letters make sure you give the person you are asking, enough notice to prepare and supply the letter by your deadline.
Ask yourself, what elements are missing that complete your story? E.g. a script, story board, details of who else is involved etc.
You will generally be asked to supply examples of your work in an application form. Include the best images you have of your work.
If possible, it is worth investing in professional photography or recordings that will best showcase your work and communicate your practice.
These are often the first way that people connect with your work and it is critical to make a strong, professional impression.
When an assessment panel is looking at many applications, it is often strong examples that will make an application stand out.
Finally, be kind to yourself if you’re unsuccessful. You will have learned something through the process.
Can I chat about my application with someone?
Definitely. We’re here for you.
Have a clear set of questions to ask us and we can assist you.
Do you read draft applications?
No, we don’t do that anymore BUT we are happy to book a consultation with you to discuss your application, before you submit it.
Beyond Helpmann Academy
Can I make a living as a professional artist? Will I be able to eat?
The Helpmann Academy is here to give you the best shot of launching your artistic practice and supporting you while you make the transition from study to work.
We can’t promise that everyone will “make it” but we’re here to support you with funding and professional development opportunities, that may make the difference you need. And remember, success will look different for every emerging creative.
We’re here to foster a culture of recognition and appreciation for the challenges you may face and build a supportive community around you… so you can make a living, and eat!
How else can you support me, once I’m not eligible for your opportunities and “aged-out”?
We’re here for graduates up to five year and for some programs up to seven. We often run professional development masterclasses and workshops that have expanded eligibility. As a past eligible applicant, you may be able to take up these opportunities.
We can provide letters of support for applications you may be making to other arts organisations and funding bodies.
We may call on you to be a mentor or speaker on a panel to assist the next generation of emerging artists.
Stay in touch. Keep following us. We also regularly share opportunities from our industry friends and partners and you may be eligible for these.
I really want to get the word out about my new show/exhibitions/experimental interpretive dance… will you help me?
We always try! Especially if we have supported you.
Just provide enough time for us to promote your new work. At least two weeks is ideal!!
Hit the “PROMOTE ME” button on our website and fill in the online form to tell us all about it.
Remember we love seeing what you are up to, so please tag us on your socials if we have supported you… so we can see it and share it!