Applications open on Monday 27 May 2024
Applications close on Sunday 14 July at 11:59pm
For activity occurring between 1 September 2024 – 30 June 2025
The Helpmann Academy Elevate Mentorship program matches final year students and graduates with established professionals to undertake specifically designed mentorship programs. Elevate Mentorships aim to build on an emerging career by providing knowledge, advice, networking opportunities, and hands-on experience beyond your studies.
Valued at up to $3,000, the funding allows for payment to the mentor and assists the mentee in covering any expenses associated with undertaking the mentorship. The payment structure is flexible and can be tailored to meet the needs of the artists involved.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Activity for this round of the Elevate Mentorship will take place between 1 September 2024 – 30 June 2025. If activity is likely to take place just before or after the period outlined above, applicants are asked to contact Helpmann Academy to discuss their application prior to submission.
The mentorship structure can vary considerably depending on the goals of the mentee and what the mentor can offer. Applicants will need to outline how the mentorship will be structured and what the expected outcomes will be.
Examples of how a mentorship can be structured include:
- Studio visits, allowing for hands-on development of skills and observational learning
- Development sessions for a dance, music, or theatre work
- Film script development and advice on editing films
- Advice on mounting an exhibition
- Assistance with establishing a business and/or marketing strategy for an arts practice
Proposing online alternatives for mentorship activities is acceptable. An online mentorship is an amazing opportunity to connect with a mentor from anywhere in the world. You have the freedom to choose the mentor you believe would be most beneficial to your artistic development, regardless of their location – the only limit is your imagination!
PROGRAM FUNDING
Up to $3,000 is available for your Elevate Mentorship. We suggest you think about how you will structure your budget to pay your mentor’s fees and cover your expenses associated with undertaking the mentorship.
The payment structure is flexible and can be tailored to meet the needs of the artists involved.
From the awarded funds, the mentor is to receive an agreed payment for their time and expertise; the remaining funds are to assist the mentee with any costs associated with undertaking the mentorship.
If you’re unsure, please get in touch with us to talk this through – we’re happy to help!
BEFORE YOU START YOUR APPLICATION
Make sure you read these guidelines thoroughly and review the application form in detail.
We recommend that you read our Elevate Mentorship Top Tips and Grant Writing Tip Sheet for suggestions on how to write your application.
And, we strongly encourage you to discuss your submission with Helpmann Academy before you press send! Interested applicants are encouraged to get in touch to discuss how we can help with your application – get in touch at (08) 7089 0720 or info@helpmannacademy.com.au to make an appointment. Phone or Teams meetings are welcome.
WHO CAN APPLY
- Final year students and graduates within five (5) years of their final year of study from a supported program at Helpmann Academy’s partner institutions – you can check your eligibility on our website
- Honours students
- Honours graduates within five (5) years of their final year of honours study
SELECTING AND NOMINATING YOUR MENTOR
Your mentor can be a local, interstate, or international artist. Your choice of mentor should be someone who can assist you in developing your career technically, conceptually, or professionally.
You are welcome to select a mentor outside of your field of practice or a mentor you have an existing relationship with. Please discuss the opportunity with your mentor and secure written confirmation of their involvement before applying.
If you do not have an existing relationship, Helpmann Academy can approach the proposed mentor on your behalf. Please contact us to discuss this option before commencing your application.
Former lecturers will not be considered as potential mentors.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
Application
1. Tell us about yourself as an artist.
Please provide a brief artist bio – this should be a clear, concise summary of your artistic practice and career. You may include recent projects you have worked on and awards/grants you have recently received.
2. How do you hope to expand your practice with the Elevate Mentorship? Please outline the objectives of your proposed mentorship.
3. How will the nominated mentor contribute to your career development, with particular reference to their specific skills and experience?
4. How do you intend to structure the mentorship? What specific activities will you undertake?
Required support material is outlined in the application form and includes:
- An artist CV (maximum two x A4 pages)
- Your official academic transcript
- A budget outlining how the mentorship funding will be spent. Budgets must be formatted using the Helpmann Academy budget template
- A timeline outlining the proposed activities and when they will take place
- The name and contact details of your proposed mentor
- Written confirmation from your proposed mentor
- Your proposed mentor’s CV or artist bio
- Images and/or audio visual demos of your work
In addition to the required support material, applicants are welcome to provide other material they feel will support their application – this can include website links, reviews/press coverage, or showreels.
An optional support item is a letter of support from a current lecturer, previous lecturer, or industry professional who can speak to your practice. Letters must be written on university or company letterhead and be included with your submission, not submitted independently by the letter writer. A letter of support will make your application stronger.
Selection
Successful applicants will clearly demonstrate how the mentorship will contribute to their career development. Applications will be assessed based on the positive impact the mentorship will have, how the time has been allocated to professional development/artistic practice, and the suitability of the proposed mentor.
Successful applicants will be required to:
- Provide Helpmann Academy with email updates throughout the duration of the program and provide a final artistic and financial acquittal report within four (4) weeks of the completion of the program
- Supply images and content throughout the mentorship for use on Helpmann Academy social media channels. Recipients may also be required to undertake social media takeovers on Helpmann channels
- Acknowledge Helpmann Academy in any publicity, signage, or other distributed material related to the mentorship. Acknowledgement includes logo placement on all promotional material (including print and online material) and verbal acknowledgement of Helpmann Academy at any public events (including online activity). Recipients will be provided with the Helpmann Academy logo for such use
- Write a thank you letter to the donor(s) matched to their mentorship, outlining the activities and outcomes achieved
The Elevate Mentorship program is fully supported by private donors. Connection and engagement with donors is essential to ensure the success of the program. In addition to a thank you letter to their matched donor, recipients may also be asked to attend a small gathering of donors, mentees, and mentors. These events allow donors to hear first-hand the impact of the mentorships.
Advocacy of the program will enable its ongoing success and provide further opportunities for other artists.
GET IN TOUCH
Where here to help you! If you would like more information or wish to discuss your application, please call us on (08) 7089 0720 or email us at info@helpmannacademy.com.au