Applications open on Monday 18 December 2023
Applications close on Sunday 17 March 2024 at 11:59pm ACST
For activity occurring between April and September 2024
ABOUT
Now entering its fourth year, Creative Innovator 2024 is open to individual creatives or small groups with either an existing project or a burgeoning creative business idea. You’ll receive training and support in a creative, nurturing environment and have the chance to pitch for up to $20,000 cash funding at the end of the six-month program.
Over six-months, you will take part in a tailored program designed to develop your business model and entrepreneurial mindset.
You’ll receive skills development and mentoring in key areas such as:
- The feasibility of your product or service
- Business planning – strategy and budgeting
- Networking and audience development
- Pitching and presentation
- Branding and marketing
- Goal setting and evaluation
Flinders University graduate, Gemma Salomon is a writer, director and producer for film and TV. She was presented with $20,000 in start-up funds at the Creative Innovator Finale in October 2023. Gemma will be using this funding towards building sustainable business pathways for her production house Whisper Tree Productions.
“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!” – Gemma Salomon
KEY WORKSHOP & EVENT DATES
You will be required to attend fortnightly workshops for the duration of the program. Workshops are held on Tuesdays generally from 3:00pm – 6:00pm or 2:00pm – 5:00pm.
Workshops:
- Tuesday 16 and Tuesday 30 April 2024
- Tuesday 14 and Tuesday 28 May 2024
- Tuesday 11 June and Tuesday 25 June 2024
- Tuesday 2 July and Tuesday 23 July 2024
- Tuesday 6 August
Practice Pitches:
- Tuesday 20 August, 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Final Pitches:
- Tuesday 3 September between 9:00am – 5:00pm
Finale Event & Presentation:
- Thursday 19 September, 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Please note that dates were correct at the time of publishing. A full calendar of times, dates and workshop locations will be shared with the successful applicants.
PROGRAM COMMITMENT
To maximise the benefits of your involvement in the Program, it is essential that you participate to the fullest extent possible. The design of the Creative Innovator program is based on the view that active participation and collaboration is vital for success.
100% attendance is expected for meetings booked with business advisors and mentors. At least 24 hours’ notice must be provided if unable to attend. Participants must be able to attend a minimum of 80% of the other scheduled sessions (i.e. workshops, practice pitches etc).
Full details of the program requirements, will be provided to the successful applicants in their agreements.
BEFORE YOU START YOUR APPLICATION
Make sure you read the Information for Applicants and our Grant Writing tip sheet here!
CONSULTATION AND GUIDANCE
Interested applicants are encouraged to attend our Information Night on Tuesday 30 January 2024, from 5:30pm – 6:30pm to hear from Jane MacFarlane, Helpmann Academy CEO, and previous program participants.
This information session will:
- Give you with a chance to hear from past Creative Innovator participants
- Learn about the impact the program had on their arts practice
- Provide insight into what’s involved over the six-months
- Offer you an opportunity to ask questions about the suitability of your project or idea
- Discover if the program is a good fit for you
Click here to RVSP and reserve your spot!
We also encourage you to book a consultation with the Helpmann team to discuss your idea and to submit a draft application for review. We can provide feedback on how you might be able to refine your proposed idea before submitting your final application.
To book a 30-minute consultation, please get in touch at info@helpmannacademy.com.au or call us on (08) 7089 0720. Draft applications are to be submitted, in Word format, by 11:59pm Monday 26 February 2024 to info@helpmannacademy.com.au.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Applications are invited from graduates of supported degrees from our partner institutions – the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, and Flinders University – up to seven (7) years from graduation.
Honours students and graduates (up to seven 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 degree.
To check your eligibility please visit the Who We Support page on our website.
APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Applications
Applications close on Sunday 17 March 2024 at 11:59pm ACST.
Applications and supporting materials must be submitted via the Helpmann Academy application form
We aim to make our application process as accessible as possible. If you need to submit through alternative means, e.g. video submission, please get in touch with our team to discuss arrangements.
Applicants are required to provide responses to the following questions:
- Tell us about yourself and your creative practice.
- Tell us about your idea, product, or service.
- Outline how you will benefit from this opportunity.
The following support materials are required:
- Artist CV – maximum two pages. If you are applying with other members of a collective, artist CVs for all members must be included.
- Official academic transcript – this must be an official transcript which shows your conferral date. If you are applying with other members of a collective, transcripts for all members must be included.
- Images and/or audio-visual demos of your work
Additional support material may be submitted and can include letters of support, reviews, press coverage of past works or exhibitions, or showreels.
Assessment
Successful applicants will clearly outline their idea for their creative enterprise and demonstrate how undertaking this program will expand their career development and creative practice. A panel facilitated by Helpmann Academy will assess applications based on:
- Artistic and entrepreneurial merit
- A clearly defined idea, product, or service that has potential for growth
- A clear understanding of how you will benefit from the program
The successful applicants will clearly demonstrate how undertaking their project will continue or expand their career development and creative practice. A panel facilitated by the Helpmann Academy will assess applications based on:
Shortlisted applicants may be required to attend an interview.
All panel decisions are final, but applicants are welcome to request feedback on their application following the outcome.
CONDITIONS OF THE PROGRAM
The terms and conditions of undertaking the program are outlined within the agreement supplied upon being awarded. The successful recipient is responsible for agreeing to and fulfilling all terms and conditions of the program.
Applicants with an overdue acquittal will be considered ineligible for this opportunity.
The opportunity has been awarded to the recipient based on the terms and conditions outlined in the agreement. Any changes to the proposed business idea must be approved by Helpmann Academy before proceeding. Recipients can request a variation to their agreement by emailing the Helpmann team at info@helpmannacademy.com.au.
Should recipients be unable to commit to or continue their commitment to the program, they must notify Helpmann Academy immediately.
If your application is successful, you will be required to:
- Commit to a minimum of four (4) days per month to the Creative Innovator program from April 2024 to September 2024.
- Supply images and content throughout the project for use on our social media channels. Recipients may also be required for social media ‘takeovers’ on our channels, which can be done with our assistance if needed.
- Acknowledge Helpmann Academy in any publicity, signage, or other distributed material relating to the project for which the fellowship is awarded. This includes logo placement on all promotional material, including print and online material, and verbal acknowledgement of the Helpmann Academy at any publicly accessed events (including online activity). Recipients will be provided with the Helpmann Academy logo suite for use. Examples of these materials must be included within the acquittal report.
- Complete a post-program debrief and provide a final artistic, statistical, and financial acquittal report within four (4) months of the completion of the program. The acquittal must include:
- A report detailing the activities undertaken post-program to further their business idea
- Whether the program provided the anticipated outcomes
- Details of any major changes from the business idea outlined in the original application
- Images and/or print material of relevant activities undertaken throughout the program and post-program
GET IN TOUCH
Interested applicants are encouraged to get in touch to discuss how we can help with your application.
Please contact the Helpmann Academy on (08) 7089 0720 or info@helpmannacademy.com.au to make an appointment. Phone or Teams meetings are welcome.