Applications close on Sunday 29 June 2025 at 11:59pm
For activity occurring between July 2025 and December 2025
ABOUT
Celebrating excellence and opportunity, this inaugural First Nations cash prize supports an early career artist to realise a project or develop their practice.
The First Nations Award is presented by Helpmann Academy and made possible through the generous support of SA Power Networks.
This $5,000 cash award will enable a First Nations artist (individual or group) in their first 5 years out of graduation to focus on their creative practice. The Award acknowledges the artists early career achievements and recognises the artists potential.
Applicants are encouraged to propose a project or creative development that the $5,000 prize can assist in realising. The funds may purchase essential services and materials or pay for immediate costs. You may be developing small projects, building digital skills or developing your audience. It may be to support you to continue your creative practice.
The First Nations Award support opportunities such as:
– Professional development programs
– The creation or realisation of new work
– Research and development of new ideas
– Developing new skills
– A creative or business mentorship
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
Applicants are encouraged to discuss their application prior to submitting, please feel free to reach out to Helpmann Academy and book a time for an informal discussion about your project.
Our Program Manager Debbie Pryor can discuss how the grant fits in with your practice and ambition. 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 five (5) years.
Applicants can be an individual or a group (with all the majority of members being Helpmann Alumni).
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 degree timeframe.
To check your eligibility, please visit the Who We Support page on our website.
APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Applications CLOSE on Sunday June 29 11:59pm.
Applications are to be submitted via the Helpmann Academy website form or by uploading a video to the online application form.
Video applications must:
– Be under 3 minutes long
– Answer the three questions clearly (please say the question before your response)
– Support Material must be provided and attached to the online form (a Artist CV, Academic transcript, Letter of endorsement)
We aim to make our application process as accessible as possible. If you have any questions around a video application or would like to submit your application through alternative means, please get in touch with Debbie Pryor, Program Manager to make arrangements.
Applicants are required to complete the following questions:
1. Tell us about yourself
You may include details such as artist bio, professional experience to date, any awards you have received, successful grant applications, details of any productions and key artists you’ve worked with.
2. Details of project
Provide a detailed description of the project (what do you plan to do?). Please include details about any collaborators, their role in your project and your reasons for working with them.
3. Project outcomes
Identify what the outcomes will be from undertaking your project – how will the project contribute to your career development (Why me? Why this? Why now?).
The following support material is required:
– Artist CV (maximum two x A4 pages)
– Academic transcript
– Letter of endorsement from a previous lecture from one of Helpmann’s partner institutions (i.e. Flinders University or University of South Australia) or an industry peer
– Up to five images of your work or links to video or audio
Assessment
Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:
– Artistic merit as evidenced by the visual material provided
– Response to the opportunity: if the applicant(s) can clearly identify and articulate the impact the project or development opportunity will have on their professional artistic practice
– How the applicant(s) will best utilise their time during the project
CONDITIONS
The terms and conditions of undertaking the project 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 project. 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.
If your application is successful, you will be required to:
– Commit to undertaking all aspects of the project between July 2025 and December 2025
– Have public liability insurance in place for the duration of the project
– 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 and SAPN logo suite for use. Examples of these materials must be included with your final acquittal
– Complete the post-project debrief survey within four (4) weeks of completion of the 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 team to book a 30-minute consultation, please use our online booking form or call us on (08) 7089 0720.
AWARD PARTNER
The Helpmann Academy First Nations Award is proudly supported by SA Power Networks, major partner of the Helpmann Academy.
Images: Dem Mob performing with Jazzmeia Horn at the Helpmann Academy Night of Jazz. Recipients of the Elise Ross Regional Award. Photography: Sam Roberts.