Mentorships

Since our inception, we have offered mentorship opportunities to emerging artists. Mentorships provide artists at the beginning of their career with an excellent opportunity to develop their practice and learn from an established practitioner. Each year we offer different forms of mentorships. From our Elevate Mentorship Program for visual and performing artists to our Project Curator opportunity to develop curatorial skills and through to our InReview Mentorships which aims to develop the next generation of arts reviewers. We have a range of professional development opportunities that will appeal to you.

ELEVATE MENTORSHIPS – INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
Elevate your arts practice with an Elevate Mentorship. Since 2002, we have has facilitated over 200 Elevate Mentorships for South Australian emerging artists.

Mentoring is a partnership between a more experienced person (the mentor) and someone less experienced (the mentee), to foster personal and professional growth. An Elevate Mentorship is a valuable way to build on your emerging career by providing knowledge and experience beyond your study at university, especially when you’re at a point of transition and exploration.

A mentorship can take the form of creative development or business and entrepreneurial development.

The mentorship structure can vary considerably depending on the goals of the mentee and what the mentor can offer. Your application should include a proposal outlining how the mentorship will be structured and what the expected outcomes will be.

Examples of how a mentorship can be structured include:

• Studio visits, allowing for the hands-on development of skills and observational learning
• Development sessions for a dance, music, or theatre work
• Film script development and advice on editing a film
• Advice on mounting or curating an exhibition
• Assistance with establishing the business and practical side of an arts practice (e.g., writing a business or marketing plan)

Consider approaching a mentor interstate or even, overseas. Proposing online alternatives for all activities is also welcomed. Remember, it’s more than likely that the mentor will be flattered when you contact them. The only limitation is your imagination! Please contact us if you would like assistance when considering your options.

Over the years, mentors have included film and television personalities such as Mary Coustas, Noni Hazlehurst and comedian Tom Gleisner, photographers Deborah Paauwe and Mark Kimber, visual artists Hossein Valamanesh, Helen Fuller and Marise Maas, ceramicists Kirsten Coelho and Akio Takamori, glass artist David Reekie, choreographers Amanda Phillips and Kate Champion, as well as South Australian Film Corporation audio mixer Pete Smith.

ELEVATE MENTORSHIPS – INFORMATION FOR PATRONS
The Elevate Mentorship Program is one of Helpmann’s most valuable programs that is supported through a giving circle of key philanthropic patrons. Each Elevate patron makes an annual contribution of $2,000 toward the program.

As a patron, you will receive regular updates from the supported artists, highlighting their development journey and the outcomes of the mentorship.

If you would like to become an Elevate patron and support an emerging artist to undertake a mentorship, please get in touch. We would love to hear from you.

Call Jane MacFarlane, CEO for a confidential chat on (08) 7089 0720 or email jane.macfarlane@helpmannacademy.com.au.

Donations can also be made directly and securely here.

For more information:
Contact Helpmann Academy (08) 7089 0720 / info@helpmannacademy.com.au

Past Opportunities