19 August 2025
The Helpmann Academy has awarded six emerging creatives across various creative disciplines including visual and performance art, theatre, screen, and music with up to $3,000 each in support.
Our Development Grants program extends crucial support to up-and-coming creatives, offering funds of up to $3,000 to kickstart new projects, facilitate research, develop new ideas and works, refine skills, engage in markets, and foster creative growth.
Congratulations to the following Helpmann Academy Development Grant 2025 Round 1 recipients!
AUBREY WINSLOW she/her
Partner institution: Flinders University
Aubrey Winslow is an emerging filmmaker living and working on Kaurna Land, where she graduated from Flinders University with a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) in 2025. Aubrey’s practice specialises in utilising mixed media techniques for queer stories and themes, crafting ‘trans-textural’ works where the form of the film itself conveys dysphoric mental states in surrealist narratives. Helpmann’s Development Grant will assist Aubrey in producing a short film titled ‘Woman in an Alley’ – a beach noir exploring cinematic subjectivity and gender performance through genre tropes.
“I am incredibly thrilled to receive this grant from the Helpmann Academy; having the support to continue to develop myself as an artist means the world to me. With this opportunity, I will be able to put together a fantastic team of collaborators to create something beautiful and exciting together! Thank you for helping us grow as artists and further our creative practices.” Aubrey Winslow, 2025 recipient.
Instagram: @aubrey.winslow_
Facebook: Aubrey Winslow
BRYAN MAY he/him
Partner institution: University of South Australia
Bryan May is a Kaurna- Adelaide based glass artist whose work delves into autobiographical, abstract, and conceptual themes, exploring the materiality of glass to express notions of absence and presence. His creations invite viewers to engage personally, interpreting the art through their own perspectives or simply appreciating its visual appeal. Bryan likes to play with opposite or opposing force like hot and cold, tension and compression. Recently he has been exploring cyanotypes made with his glass. His last exhibition included new works ‘Basophilic Brutalism’.
“Receiving the 2025 Development Grant has been a pivotal moment in my journey as a glass artist, opening the door to an invaluable opportunity at Pilchuck Glass School. This esteemed institution, nestled in the serene woodlands of Stanwood, Washington, is renowned for its immersive workshops and world-class instruction in glass art. The grant alleviates financial barriers, enabling me to participate in transformative sessions led by renowned artists. Engaging with experts in the field will not only refine my technical skills but also inspire new creative directions in my work. The exposure to diverse artistic practices and the collaborative environment at Pilchuck will significantly enhance my artistic vision and practice. This opportunity marks a significant milestone in my career, providing a platform to elevate my work and connect with a global community of artists. The experiences and knowledge gained will propel my artistic development, fostering innovation and excellence in my future endeavours.” Bryan May, 2025 recipient.
Instagram: @bryanmayglass
JASMINE HALL she/her
Partner institution: University of Adelaide
Minnie little is a five-piece pop/folk group led by vocalist, trombonist and composer Jasmine Hall. The ensemble features Ciara Ferguson (piano/vocals), Jack Overall (cello), Tasha Stevens (bass), and Lewis Todd (drums). Their music is characterised by contemporary harmony, odd time signatures and heartfelt lyrics inspired by real-life experiences (and a healthy dose of Disney). Formed in 2019 for the COMA (Creative Original Music Adelaide) Emerging Artists program, minnie little released their debut self-titled EP in 2020 and have since released several singles. Band members have performed with artists such as Tina Arena, Mark Holden, Rhonda Burchmore, Rachel Beck, and many more.
“Having the opportunity to create and record minnie little’s second album will be invaluable for further establishing us as a band. We are deeply grateful to the Helpmann Academy for their support and we look forward to bringing this project to life.” Jasmine Hall, 2025 recipient.
Instagram: (artist) @jasmine.elisa.hall / (band) @minnielittleband
Facebook: minnielittleband
LUKE FURLAN he/him
Partner institution: Flinders University
Luke Furlan is an Italian South Australian actor, theatre maker, and researcher with a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama) (Honours) from Flinders University. His practice blends performance, dramaturgy, and multicultural storytelling, with a focus on actor-driven work that engages communities and explores mental health, identity, and cultural sharing. He co-founded Rotpunkt, a South Australian theatre collective dedicated to accessible, contemporary performance. Luke has trained across stage, screen, and motion capture, and is influenced by international methodologies. His work aims to create emotionally honest, imaginative experiences that resonate with diverse audiences and open space for dialogue, empathy, and collective understanding.
“Having the opportunity to work with Lisa in a masterclass setting will equip me with an international understanding of screen acting that builds on what I have learnt up until now and will serve as a foundational step in progressing my career and networks globally.” Luke Furlan, 2025 recipient.
Instagram: @lukefurlan
STEPHANIE DODDRIDGE she/her
Partner institution: University of South Australia
Stephanie Doddridge is an emerging artist working on Kaurna Country. Stephanie engages with garden-derived materials to understand human-nature relationships, reciprocal care and quiet activism. Stephanie completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts (First Class Honours) at the University of South Australia in 2022, receiving an Award for Outstanding Achievement. She won the City Rural Emerging Artist Award for SALA Festival 2023, was selected to undertake the Guildhouse Collections Project with FUMA in 2024, and has also exhibited at PICA, Feltspace, and ACE. Stephanie was the Project Curator for the Helpmann Academy 2025 Graduate Exhibition in SASA Gallery and is currently undertaking the ACE Studios Residency.
“This funding will accelerate the trajectory of my career, elevating my next solo exhibition, through the addition of texts and professional documentation. This will give me the opportunity to exhibit this body of work again to new audiences, hopefully interstate.” Stephanie Doddridge, 2025 recipient.
Instagram: @stephaniedoddridgeartist
TERESA DI FAVA she/her
Partner institution: University of Adelaide
Teresa is a 23-year-old pop artist based in Tarntanya (Adelaide). Her latest 2025 single, ‘Let’s Commit Arson’, was dubbed “a pocket rocket [of] Australian power pop” (Anika Luna, triple j) and named one of Rolling Stone AU’s “Best Australian Songs of the Week.” Her songwriting explores the highs and lows of her twenties – first through a conceptual, crime-themed music project, and now through a more introspective, emotionally driven lens. Her upcoming 2025 East Coast Tour marks a new chapter: a stripped-back, intimate set that reimagines her latest repertoire and offers audiences a closer look at her evolving artistic voice.
“Being awarded the 2025 Development Grant has been an incredible opportunity – one that has made my upcoming East Coast tour possible. With travel and accommodation costs covered, I’m able to fully focus on honing my craft, preparing my set, and building an audience interstate.” Teresa Di Fava, 2025 recipient.
Instagram: @t.4.teresa
TikTok: @t4teresa
Development Grants are made possible through the generosity of John Phillips, the Spark a dream campaign patrons, and the Government of South Australia through CreateSA.
Images: (1) On Set of Guttercat, Image credit by Emily McDonald (2) Thermal Shock, Image supplied by artist (3) minnie little 2020 EP cover art, Photography by Matisse Chambers @st.allardatelier (4) Bulldog BTS. Image credit @crackedlightfilms (5) Compost Colesworth (2024), Image credit Anna Fenech (6) Let’s Commit Arson (2025), Image credit Samuel Graves.