Applications open on Monday 29 May 2023
Applications close on Sunday 9 July 2023 at 11:59pm ACST
For activity occurring between 1 September 2023 and 30 June 2024
1. ABOUT THE HELPMANN ACADEMY AWARD FOR VOICE
The Helpmann Academy Award for Voice is generously funded by Dr Rob Lyons and is available to vocalists who are final year students or graduates from selected programs from the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide.
The award is valued at $5,000 and provides the opportunity for the recipient to undertake a self-directed and tailored program that will further develop their burgeoning career. The recipient will be empowered to seek out unique training in areas of interest, develop work, record or tour, gain valuable experience, and build networks. The funding provides the opportunity for the recipient to develop their skills and experience, locally, nationally, or internationally.
The Helpmann Academy Award for Voice aims to support and inspire the future endeavours of South Australia’s emerging vocalists. The recipient will have the opportunity to undertake significant activities that align with their career objectives and facilitate the next steps in achieving these goals.
This award will be presented at our annual ‘A Night of Jazz’ event which includes our 2023 Jazz Awards and concert. The recipient of the award may be required to rehearse and perform with the prominent guest artist and the top graduating musicians from Elder Conservatorium of Music, in the last week of August 2023.
If you are eligible, you can also apply for the Helpmann Academy Langley Award for Jazz, at the same time! Click here for more details.
2. WHO CAN APPLY
Emerging vocalists eligible to apply will meet the following criteria.
Must be final year students or graduates (within five years following their final year of study) from the following programs at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide:
- Bachelor of Music (all majors)
- Bachelor of Music Theatre
Honours graduates are eligible if they are within five years of graduation (if Honours was undertaken in direct succession from your undergraduate degree).
Individuals, partnerships or groups can apply – provided all artists are eligible for Helpmann Academy support.
3. WHAT TYPE OF ACTIVITY CAN BE UNDERTAKEN
The award is designed to support an emerging vocalist to take the next step in their career development.
Applicants are encouraged to thoughtfully consider the progression they would like to take in their career development, and research what opportunities might be available to help facilitate this.
Opportunities should offer the right education or experience to provide pivotal development, not available in South Australia. The activity could be made up of multiple opportunities or focused on one for an extended period. These activities could include:
- Lessons with acclaimed teachers or at renowned institutions (funding cannot be used for formal study such as Masters)
- Mentorships with acclaimed musician’s interstate or overseas
- Recording
- Touring
- Residencies or internships
- Industry conferences
- Other professional development opportunities
4. APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Application
Before commencing your application, please ensure that you are eligible to apply.
When completing your application, clearly answer all the questions and provide the required support material.
The application is made up of three questions requiring written responses. They are:
- Tell us about yourself! Include professional experience to date, any awards you have received, successful grant applications, details of any productions and key artists you’ve worked with
- Tell us about your intended program of career development – we want you to tell us what you want to do
- Outline the expected outcomes of undertaking your proposed program by telling us why this particular activity will be beneficial for the advancement of your career and how you intend to utilise the knowledge and experience gained – essentially, tell us why you want to do it
The required support material is outlined in the application form and includes:
- Artist CV (s) (maximum two pages)
- Academic transcript (s)
- Budget outlining all expenses associated with the program and how they will be supported (we strongly recommend you use the budget template supplied)
- Timeline of the proposed activity (activity must take place between 1 September 2023 and 30 June 2024).
- Up to three MP3 or MP4 recordings of you performing.
In addition to the required support material, applicants are welcome to also provide additional material they feel will support their application. You can include optional support material such as:
- Endorsement letters* from a current or former lecturer on letterhead (if within one to three years post-graduation), or a letter from an industry peer (if within four to five years post-graduation).
- Confirmation of your proposed activity (i.e., confirmation of your place at a school, letter of support from a mentor etc). If confirmed at time of application.
- Reviews/press coverage of past work.
- Other support material (e.g. further letters of endorsement, showreels etc).
* It is highly recommended to organise and request your reference letter as soon as you start to put your application together and in plenty of time before the application due date.
Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposed program with the Helpmann Academy and to submit a draft application to receive feedback before submitting their final application.
Draft applications must be received in Word format Sunday 25 June 2023 at 11:59pm ACST. Please send to info@helpmannacademy.com.au
Final applications must be lodged via the Helpmann Academy website and be submitted by Sunday 9 July 2023 at 11:59pm ACST.
Assessment
The successful applicant will clearly demonstrate how their proposed program will contribute to their professional development. Applications will be assessed based on the high level of artistic merit, the positive impact of the award to the artist’s practice, and the viability and value of the applicant’s proposed program.
A panel facilitated by the Helpmann Academy will assess applications based on:
- The impact the program will have on the artistic practice of the applicant.
- The provision of a clear outline of why the chosen program is beneficial to the applicant’s career development at this point.
- How the applicant will maximise the opportunity.
- A demonstrated commitment to learning.
- The personal and professional qualities the applicant is able to contribute.
- Professional standard of application.
Shortlisted applicants may be required to attend an interview.
5. CONDITIONS OF THE AWARD
- Funding is not provided for any equipment, freight, musical instruments, or any support directly related to a student’s current course or requirements for a Masters or PhD.
- Funding is not provided for projects already started or completed (i.e., there is no retrospective funding).
- The recipient must undertake the program of activity between 1 September 2023 and 30 June 2024.
- The recipient will be required to provide the Helpmann Academy with at least two email updates throughout the duration of the program and provide a final acquittal report within six-weeks of the completion of the program.
- If there are any changes to the proposed program or budget, the recipient must notify the Helpmann Academy immediately and await approval before continuing.
Upon request, the successful recipient may be asked to publicly share their experiences and outcomes of receiving the Helpmann Academy Award for Voice.
For more information contact the Helpmann Academy on 08 7089 0720 or email info@helpmannacademy.com.au