KEY DATES
Applications opened Thursday 28 August 2025
Applications close Sunday 19 October 2025 at 11:59pm
Interviews will take place on Tuesday 28 October 2025
For activity occurring between November 2025 – April 2026
ABOUT
Helpmann Academy is pleased to invite applications from emerging visual artists and curators to undertake a mentorship as Project Curator for the 2026 Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition.
The 2026 Graduate Exhibition will again take place at the University of South Australia’s South Australian School of Art (SASA) Gallery, UniSA Kaurna Building, City West.
The successful applicant will be working under the esteemed curatorial mentor Anna Zagala, Associate Curator, SAMSTAG Museum and the Helpmann Academy Program Manager.
This role is a unique opportunity for an emerging curator to gain hands-on experience working on a high-profile exhibition that brings together graduating artists working across many mediums. They will have the opportunity to work on all curatorial aspects of the exhibition, including designing the exhibition layout, working with the exhibiting artists, and coordinating installation and de-installation.
The mentorship will run between November 2025 and April 2026. The successful application will be remunerated $5,000 for this mentorship opportunity.
Working closely with the Curatorial Mentor and Helpmann Academy’s Program Manager, the successful applicant will have excellent communication and problem-solving skills, and is dedicated and flexible. Applicants from a CALD or ATSI background are strongly encouraged to apply.
ABOUT ANNA ZAGALA
Anna is the Associate Curator (Academic Engagement) at Samstag Museum of Art. She has worked in the visual arts sector for 20 years as a writer, editor, educator and cultural producer. Over the course of her career she has lived in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane. She has a particular affinity with universities and museums and has gravitated to roles that have facilitated engagement with museum collections, art and learning.
Anna’s book on Redback Graphix, a screen printing studio based in Wollongong and Sydney (1979-1994), was published by the National Gallery of Australia in 2006. She is also the Creative Director of sweetpolka.
WHO CAN APPLY
Applications are invited from final year students and graduates of supported degrees from our partner institutions – the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, and Flinders University – within five (5) years from graduation.
Honours students and graduates (up to five years following the final year of study) are also eligible to apply, provided honours study was undertaken directly following their undergraduate degree.
Please note that Masters and PhD graduates and candidates are not eligible to apply unless they still qualify through their undergraduate or honours study.
To check your eligibility, please visit the Who We Support page on our website.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Project Curator will be required to:
- Possess strong administration skills, including email, spreadsheet creation and maintenance
- Attend selection day of the works on Monday 24 November 2025 (date TBC). The Project Curator will join the selection panel and = provide guidance and insight on works to select
- Design the exhibition space with the Curatorial Mentor and Helpmann Project Manager
- Liaise with exhibiting artists regarding the installation requirements of their work
- Develop and deliver an Artist Information session with Helpmann and UniSA staff (date TBC)
- Work with the Curatorial Mentor, Helpmann Academy and installation team to oversee the installation of the exhibition – in the first fortnight in February 2026.
- Troubleshoot and solve any obstacles during installation, with guidance from the Curatorial Mentor
- Attend the opening events of the 2025 Graduate Exhibition: VIP Vernissage, Opening Night and Awards Presentation (date TBC)
- Deliver a Project Curator talk to industry peers during the exhibition (date TBC)
- Attend auxiliary events around the 2025 Graduate Exhibition (full details TBC)
- Be available throughout the life of the exhibition to make adjustments or repairs to the works or their installation. This is to be done in consultation with the exhibiting artists
- Maintain regular communication with the Curatorial Mentor and Helpmann Academy Program Manager
- Oversee de-installation of the exhibition (date TBC)
- Attend a post-exhibition Project Curator debrief – April 2026
- Complete a post-exhibition survey – April 2026
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
Application
Applicants must not have an overdue acquittal with the Helpmann Academy when applying.
When completing your application, please clearly answer all the questions supplied. The application consists of three questions which require written responses:
- Tell us about yourself
- Considering the role description and key responsibilities, outline why you are well positioned at this point in your career to undertake this role
- What are the professional development outcomes you will gain? How will you leverage this opportunity to further your curatorial career?
Required support material is outlined in the application form and includes:
- An artist CV (maximum two x A4 pages)
- Your official academic transcript
- The names and contact details of one (1) referee
In addition to the required support material, applicants are welcome to provide other material they feel will support their application – this can include further letters of support, reviews, press coverage of past works or exhibitions, media clippings, or showreels.
Selection
The successful applicant will clearly demonstrate how undertaking the role of Project Curator will contribute to their professional development. Applications will be assessed based on the applicant’s readiness to take on the role, the positive impact the opportunity will have, and the qualities the applicant can bring to the role.
Shortlisted applicants may be required to attend an interview in October 2025.
Interviews will take place on Wednesday 29 October 2025.
The successful applicant will be required to sign a letter of agreement with Helpmann Academy agreeing to the responsibilities and terms and conditions of the role.
GET IN TOUCH
Interested applicants are encouraged to get in touch to discuss how we can help with your application. Please contact the Helpmann team via info@helpmannacademy.com.au, or call us on (08) 7089 0720.