ABOUT
The HA>NESS Development Grants program is dedicated to fostering the creative and professional progression of emerging artists across various disciplines.
Recognising the challenges faced by emerging creatives, our initiative provides grants of up to $3,000 to eligible final year students and graduates.
The HA>NESS Development Grants are designed to empower artists at a pivotal stage in your career, enabling you to kickstart innovative projects or delve into research that informs your work. You may want to refine your artistic practices through workshops, residencies or mentorships. You could also enhance your skills and practice or expand market opportunities.
The HA>NESS Development Grants support a wide range of opportunities such as:
- The creation and realisation of new works
- Research and development of new ideas
- Professional development programs
We are committed to nurturing diverse voices within the visual and performing arts communities, ensuring that fresh ideas flourish and contribute meaningfully to the local art scene.
We invite all emerging talents seeking growth and inspiration to apply and transform your vision into reality.
BEFORE YOU START YOUR APPLICATION
Before you get started, please check your eligibility here.
We strongly recommend reading our Grant Writing Tips and FAQs before you start writing your application. Make sure you read these guidelines thoroughly!
You can also watch the recording from our last Write on the Money workshop (run in partnership with Carclew and hosted at Flinders University), which features artists talking about their experience in applying for funding.
Interested applicants are encouraged to make an appointment with Helpmann Academy to discuss your application. We are happy to provide guidance and advice on how you might be able to refine your proposed program and application.
You can BOOK A CONSULT directly here! Alternatively, you can email us at debbie.pryor@helpmannacademy.com.au or call (08) 7089 0720 to make an appointment.
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 5 years from graduation.
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 study.
To check your eligibility, please visit the Who We Support page on our website.
ACTIVITIES ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING
Projects eligible for funding include the following:
- Materials for general use in creating new works or expanding practice
- Research and development of new ideas
- Creation of new works
- Exhibition or performance of works
- Developing skills through workshops, masterclasses, specialised training, etc.
- Residencies
- Mentorships
- Professional development opportunities, such as placements, internships, etc.
- Developing or expanding markets and audiences
If you are unsure about the eligibility of your project, please get in touch with us for further advice.
EXCLUSIONS
- Funding will not be provided for current course requirements or any formal qualifications
- Funding will not be provided retrospectively, and expenses cannot be covered until a completed and signed agreement form has been returned
- Funding will only be provided for the purchase of materials, equipment, insurance, or freight if they are specific to the project being undertaken and are not for long term use
APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Application
Applications must be submitted via the Helpmann Academy website 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 us to discuss arrangements.
Applicants are required to provide responses to the following questions:
- 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.
- 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.
- Tell us why you want to do it.
Identify what the outcomes will be from undertaking your project and how the project contribute to your career development – why me? Why this? Why now?
The following support material is required:
- Artist CV – maximum two pages
- Official academic transcript – this must be your official transcript, showing your conferral date
- Project budget – outline all expenses associated with the project and clearly specify which items will be covered by Helpmann Academy funding. Budgets must be formatted using the Helpmann Academy budget template
- Project timeline – outline your proposed activities and when they will take place
- Support letter* from a current or previous lecturer on official letterhead
- Support letter * from an industry professional who can speak to your practice
- Images and/or audio-visual demos of your work
* We recommended you organise and request support letters from your referee(s) as soon as you start your application. Allow plenty of time before the application due date to do so. Support letters must be provided with the online application form and not sent separately.
The following support material is optional and may be included with your application:
- Further letters of support, reviews or press coverage of past work, show reels, and audio-visual demos
Assessment
The successful applicant will clearly demonstrate how undertaking their project will continue or expand their career development and creative practice. A panel facilitated by Helpmann Academy will assess applications based on:
- A high level of artistic merit
- The provision of a clear outline as to why the chosen activity will continue or expand the applicant’s career development and creative practice
- The proposed activity being realistic and achievable
- The budget being realistic, accurate and representing value for money
- The overall quality of submission, such as clarity, detail, and meeting stipulated criteria
Applicants will be notified of the outcome within four weeks of the application close date.
FUNDING / CONDITIONS OF HA>NESS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
The following conditions apply to all successful applicants:
- Applicants must not have any overdue acquittals for previous projects. Funding will not be provided if the recipient has an overdue acquittal.
- Funding will only be provided for the purchase of materials, equipment, insurance, or freight if they are specific to the project being undertaken and are not for long-term use.
- Funding will not be provided for current course requirements or any formal qualifications.
- Funding will not be provided retrospectively, and expenses cannot be covered until a completed and signed agreement form has been returned.
- Funding will not be provided for JamFactory’s Foundation Year Associate Program in Ceramics, Glass, Furniture or Jewellery/Metal.
- Recipients must undertake the activity within between 1 January 2025 and 30 June 2025.
- Recipients will be required to provide Helpmann Academy with report updates throughout the duration of their project and provide a final artistic and financial acquittal report within four weeks of completion.
- Recipients will be required to acknowledge Helpmann Academy in any publicity, signage, or other distributed material relating to the project for which the grant is awarded. This includes logo placement on all promotional material, including print and online material, and verbal acknowledgement of Helpmann Academy at any publicly accessed events, including online activity. Recipients will be provided with the Helpmann Academy logo for this use.
- Recipients may be asked to 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.
- If there are any changes to the recipient’s proposed program or budget, they must notify Helpmann Academy immediately and obtain approval before commencing any revised plans or spending.
- All funding decisions are final.
GET IN TOUCH
Got questions or want to have a quick chat? Get in touch on (08) 7089 0720 or via email at info@helpmannacademy.com.au
HA>NESS Development Grants are supported by HA>NESS Members.