ABOUT THE NEIL CURNOW AWARD
The Neil Curnow Award is available to final year students and graduates for the purpose of undertaking further study or career development in acting, theatre development, or directing. Proposed activities must include at least one element of study (e.g. short courses, masterclasses, workshops) at a recognised institution, and can also include internships or residencies with an organisation or industry leader.
The award is made possible through the generous bequest of the late Neil Curnow, an extraordinary South Australian theatre practitioner. Following his impressive career as an actor, director, teacher, and voice coach, Neil made a bequest through the Independent Arts Foundation to support emerging South Australian theatre practitioners through this prestigious award.
Valued at up to $7,000 for graduates wishing to undertake interstate study and up to $10,000 for international study, the award enables the successful recipient to further develop their burgeoning career, seek out training in areas of interest, gain hands-on experience, and build networks. The award is an invaluable opportunity for an emerging theatre artist to undertake significant activities that will support and inspire their future endeavours. The award is facilitated by the Helpmann Academy on behalf of the Independent Arts Foundation.
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 the Helpmann Academy to discuss your proposed application. We love to hear from you and are happy to provide guidance and advice on how you might be able to refine your proposed program and application.
Feel free to book a consult with our Program Manager directly here! Or email directly at debbie.pryor@helpmannacademy.com.au or call (08) 7089 0720.
WHO CAN APPLY
Emerging artists eligible to apply will meet the following criteria:
- Applicants must be final year students or graduates within five (5) years of graduation from an eligible Helpmann Academy partner institution and program – check your eligibility on our website here.
- Honours students and graduates (up to five years from graduation) are also eligible to apply, provided honours study was undertaken directly following their undergraduate degree.
- Must be aged between 18 and 30 years old (as at 1 January 2025).
- Must be an Australian citizen who is permanently based in South Australia.
WHAT TYPE OF ACTIVITY CAN BE UNDERTAKEN
The award supports an emerging artist to take the next step in their career by means of further study and hands-on experience through an internship or residency.
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. An opportunity should offer the right education and experience to provide pivotal development not otherwise available in South Australia. Programs must include at least one element of formal study at a recognised institution; this can be combined with short courses in specific techniques or with specialised instructors, or placements with companies or organisations producing work closely aligned with the field you would like to work within.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for support to undertake a self-devised program of multiple opportunities.
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 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 encouraged to check with Helpmann Academy that their intended program will meet the criteria.
Applicants are required to provide responses to the following questions:
- Tell us about yourself! You may include details such as an artist bio, professional experience to date, any awards you have received, successful grant applications, and/or details of any productions and key artists you’ve worked with.
- Provide a detailed description of the activities you wish to undertake at your proposed institution. Please include details about any collaborators, their role in your project, and your reasons for working with them.
- Identify the outcomes from undertaking these activities and how this opportunity will contribute to your career development (Why me? Why this? Why now?).
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
- Project budget – budgets must be formatted using the Helpmann Academy Budget Template
- Project timeline
- Confirmation of placement at your chosen institution, OR research undertaken into proposed institutions
- A letter of support* from a current lecturer (on official letterhead), previous lecturer (on official letterhead), or 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 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
The successful applicant will clearly demonstrate how undertaking further study or an internship program with the support of the Neil Curnow Award will contribute to their professional development.
A panel facilitated by the Helpmann Academy will assess applications based on:
- The impact the study or internship 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 their time interstate.
- A demonstrated commitment to learning.
- A clear outline of the expected outcomes and how they intend to use the obtained knowledge and experience when returning to South Australia.
- The personal and professional qualities the applicant is able to contribute.
Shortlisted applicants may be required to attend an interview in November 2024 (date TBC).
CONDITIONS OF THE AWARD
- The applicant must not have any overdue Helpmann Academy acquittals.
- The recipient must undertake the coursework, internship, or other studies between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025.
- The recipient will be required to provide the Helpmann Academy and Independent Arts Foundation with at least two email updates throughout the duration of the program and provide a final acquittal report within four weeks of completion of the program.
- The award recipient will be asked to supply images and content throughout the residency or internship 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.
- The award recipient will be required to acknowledge Helpmann Academy in any publicity relating to the Neil Curnow Award. This includes logo placement and/or verbal acknowledgement of the Helpmann Academy at any publicly accessed events (including online activity). Recipients will be provided with the Helpmann Academy logo for this use.
- The award recipient will engage in an Instagram takeover, sharing their experience as award recipient.
- If there are any changes to the proposed program or budget, the recipient must notify the Helpmann Academy immediately for approval before proceeding.
Following the recipient’s return to Adelaide, they may be asked to speak at a public forum about the benefits, experiences, and outcomes of receiving the Neil Curnow Award.
GET IN TOUCH
Got questions or want to have a quick chat? Please contact the Helpmann Academy on (08) 7089 0720 or info@helpmannacademy.com.au
Presented in partnership with The Independent Arts Foundation SA