Applications close on Sunday 9 March 2025 at 11:59pm ACST
For activity occurring between 24 March 2025 and 24 March 2026
ABOUT
fab is an artist-led studio complex located in Kent Town.
The Helpmann Academy / fab Studio Residency provides a 12-month rent-free shared studio space to two eligible emerging South Australian artists. This unique residency program provides artists with the crucial time, space, support, and freedom to both create new work and develop their careers.
The Helpmann Academy is incredibly proud of our long-term partnership with George Street Studios and delighted to continue the partnership with a renewed incarnation of the program at fab in 2025, following on from the success in 2024.
“Since coming through the Helpmann Studio Residency at George Street Studios in 2018, I have transformed my practice as an artist and maker, and a large part of that is owing to the generous community and mentors at the studio. Continuing this residency at our new studio and workshop space fab in Kent Town, I’m keen to share that experience and to create an inclusive space for emerging artists in an active workshop environment”. – Nat Penney, fab co-director
This opportunity is open to eligible emerging creatives, including visual artists, craftspeople, furniture makers, designer-makers, and more.
The Helpmann Academy / fab Studio Residency offers:
- 12-month rent-free studio space, from March 2025—March 2026
- A shared studio space for two artists of approximately 37m² and features 24/7 access, plus shared kitchen
- Access and training to use on-site machinery, tools and equipment including: drill press, metal band saw, metal cold saw, timber drop saw, MIG welders, oxy-acetylene brazing, handheld angle grinders, handheld pipe polishers, metal linisher and burnisher, painting spray booth
- Utilities (electricity, internet, water) included
- City fringe location, on King William Street, Kent Town
- Technical assistance
- Exposure to a community of active creative practitioners
- Shared connections to a network of suppliers and services (materials and industrial fabrication)
- The opportunity to exhibit in The Gallery – St Peters Town Hall during SALA 2025
The inaugural recipients of the fab Studio Residency program 2024 were emerging artists Tiarnie Edwards, Cameron Longshaw, and Chelsie Morey.
“The fab studio residency opportunity through Helpmann Academy comes within a pivotal time between my academic and artistic journey as a practicing artist. It has given me the space to continuing creating within a creative community I know will nurture my practice to continue to grow.” – Tiarnie Edwards
Please note that the fab Studio Residency does NOT include insurance for theft of belongings to individuals. Each resident is required to have Public Liability insurance before induction. We recommend Public Liability insurance be organised through Guildhouse, or the National Association of Visual Arts (NAVA) – you can speak with these organisations to organise additional coverage to insure activities including the use of an open flame and business insurance to cover belongings.
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 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 (5) years from graduation) 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.
APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Application
Applications close on Sunday 9 March 2025 at 11:59pm ACST
Applications must be submitted via the Helpmann Academy website form.
We aim to make our application process as accessible as possible. If you would like to submit your application through alternative means, such as through video, please get in touch with our team to make arrangements.
Applicants are required to provide responses to the following questions:
- Tell us about yourself as an artist.
- Outline how the residency will allow you to develop your practice technically, practically, and conceptually.
- Outline how you will benefit from the residency and why it is important at this point in your career, including how it will integrate with your goals and plans.
The following support material is required:
- Artist CV – maximum two (2) pages
- Official academic transcript – this must be your official transcript, showing your conferral date
- A letter of support* on official letterhead from a current lecturer, previous lecturer, or an industry professional who can speak to your practice
- Up to five (5) images and/or audio-visual demos of your work
*We recommend you organise and request support letters from your referee/s as soon as you start your application. Please allow plenty of time before the application due date to do this. Support letters must be provided with the online application form and not sent separately.
Additional support material may also be submitted and can include further letters of support, reviews, press coverage of past works or exhibitions, or showreels.
Assessment
Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Response to the opportunity: if the applicant can clearly identify and articulate the professional development potential of the residency
- How the applicant will best utilise the residency facilities and creative community
- Artistic merit as evidenced by the visual material provided
Shortlisted applicants may be required to attend an interview.
Applicants are welcome to request feedback on their application following the outcome.
CONDITIONS OF THE RESIDENCY
The terms and conditions for undertaking the residency 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 residency. Any changes to the proposed activity 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.
Applicants with an overdue acquittal will be considered ineligible for this opportunity.
Should the recipient need to change the duration or give up their studio space at any stage over the residency period, both Helpmann Academy and fab must be notified immediately.
If your application is successful, you will be required to:
- Undertake the residency between March 2025 and March 2026.
- Have public liability insurance* in place for the duration of the residency.
- 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 opportunity 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 with your final acquittal.
- Provide Helpmann Academy with an interim midway update to report on the progress of the residency.
- Provide Helpmann Academy with a final artistic and financial acquittal report within four (4) weeks of completion of the program. The acquittal must include:
- A report detailing the activities undertaken throughout the residency
- Whether the residency provided the anticipated professional development outcomes
- Details of any major changes from the activities outlined in the original proposal
- Images and/or print material of the activities undertaken taken during the residency
* The Helpmann Academy / fab Studio Residency does NOT include insurance for theft of belongings to individuals. Each resident is required to have Public Liability insurance before induction. We recommend Public Liability insurance be organised through Guildhouse, or the National Association of Visual Arts (NAVA) – you can speak with these organisations to organise additional coverage to insure activities including the use of an open flame and business insurance to cover belongings.
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.