Applications open on Monday 16 December 2024
For activity occurring between April and September 2025
ABOUT
Kickstart 2025 with Creative Innovator — a transformative business incubator program designed to turn your creative idea into reality.
Got a concept or idea that needs a boost to become a thriving business? Ready to transform your arts practice into a sustainable venture? Let’s make 2025 your breakthrough year.
Whether you’re refining an existing concept or dreaming of turning your creative practice into a sustainable enterprise, Creative Innovator is here to help.
Now in its fifth year, Creative Innovator is open to solo creatives or small teams with a promising project or idea. Over six months, you’ll sharpen your business skills, fuel your entrepreneurial mindset, and thrive in a supportive, creative environment.
The program wraps up with a chance to pitch for up to $20,000 in funding to supercharge your business.
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
Tarntanya-based art-folk band Any Young Mechanic (formerly Wake in Fright) were presented with $20,000 in start-up funds at the finale in 2024. They will undertake a significant Australian and international publicity campaign to support the release of their forthcoming 12-track record, The Modern Shoe Is Ruining the Foot, ahead of a tour.
Any Young Mechanic is Allan McBean on upright bass, Jachin Mee on drums and backing vocals, Luka Kilgariff-Johnson on electric guitar and banjo, Sam Wilson on vocals and guitar, and Thea Martin on violin. Graduates from the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide, Sam, Jachin and Thea took part in the program. Band members Allan and Luka are currently studying at the Elder Conservatorium of Music.
“The most crucial thing about the Creative Innovator Program was that we had so much time to devote to thinking about our practice and how to make it viable. The mentoring element of this program is truly invaluable. To work with someone in the industry and get funding and time to understand how they could help us was amazing.” – Sam Wilson
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 15 and Tuesday 29 April 2025
- Tuesday 20 and Tuesday 27 May 2025
- Tuesday 10 June and Tuesday 26 June 2025
- Tuesday 1 July and Tuesday 22 July 2025
- Tuesday 5 August 2025
Practice Pitches:
- Tuesday 26 August 2025, 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Final Pitches:
- Thursday 2 October 2025 between 9:00am – 5:00pm
Finale Event & Presentation:
- Finale Event & Presentation 2025 will take place on the week of 13 October (please note that this date is dependent upon availability of key stakeholders)
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 this Information for Applicants guidelines thoroughly, watch our FAQs here and read our Grant Writing tip sheet here!
CONSULTATION AND GUIDANCE
Interested applicants are encouraged to book a consultation with Program Manager Debbie Pryor 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 use our online booking form or call us on (08) 7089 0720.
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 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
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 information supplied in their application. 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 2025 to September 2025.
- 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.
Supported by the South Australian Government through Arts South Australia, K&S Langley Family, Amanda Harkness & Karen Barrett, and Perks Accountants & Wealth Advisors.