Applications open on Monday 20 January 2025
Applications close on Sunday 9 March 2025 at 11:59pm ACST
For activity occurring between April and September 2025
ABOUT
Launched in 2022, The Stobie Pole Project is back for its fourth iteration!
Once again, we’ve teamed up with SA Power Networks to bring this one-of-a-kind public art commission to life.
You will be mentored and supported by established multi-disciplinary artist Christine Cholewa as you develop your abilities and confidence in producing public artworks. Each artist will receive a $3,000 fee, plus materials. You will need to have your own public liability insurance.
The program features masterclasses and workshops over several months, offering a platform to develop ideas, collaborate, and build professional connections with our expert mentor.
In 2024, emerging local talents Adrian Mitton, Chelsie Morey, Katherine Shierlaw, and Tiarnie Edwards transformed a series of Stobie poles, brightening Beefacres Reserve in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield and SA Power Networks’ head office in the City of West Torrens.
“It feels fantastic to have my work in the public space. I love that the pieces can now take on a life of their own and age with the environment around them. I like to imagine how the people who live or work in those areas interact with them in their day-to-day lives. It’s a very different feeling to work in a gallery setting where it is protected and only there to be looked at. I feel like these pieces are making more of a direct impact than a lot of my previous work.” – Chelsie Morey
KEY WORKSHOP DATES
Successful applicants will be required to attend six (6) workshops with our project mentor, Christine and the launch event in July.
The design workshop locations will be confirmed with the recipients. The location of the making the artworks will be the responsibility of the artist.
To get the most out of this opportunity, we request that successful applicants attend all of the workshop dates, to the best of their ability. These sessions are incredibly valuable and you will want to maximise your time with our project mentor!
- Welcome + Design Workshop #1 // Thursday 21 April (6 hours)
- Design Workshop #2 // Thursday 15 May (4 hours)
- Design Workshop #3 // Thursday 12 June (4 hours)
- Build Workshop #1 // Thursday 24 July (4 hours)
- Build Workshop #2 // Thursday 7 August (4 hours)
- Build Workshop #3 // Thursday 21 August (4 hours)
- Launch // Week commencing Monday 22 September (exact date tbc)
Please note that dates were correct at the time of publishing. A full calendar of times, dates and workshop locations will be shared with the successful applicants.
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
Interested applicants are encouraged to book a consultation with Program Manager, Debbie Pryor to discuss your idea and to submit a draft application for review. 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 final year students and graduates of supported degrees from our partner institutions – the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, and Flinders University – within five (5) years from graduation.
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.
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.
APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Application
Applications close on Monday 9 March 2025 at 11:59pm ACST.
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 required to provide responses to the following questions:
- Tell us about yourself as an artist.
- Why do you want to undertake this project?
- What strengths will you bring to this project?
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*
- Up to 10 images and/or audio-visual demos of your work
*If applying as a collective or on behalf of a collective, please note that artist CVs and official academic transcripts must be supplied by all members.
Assessment
Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Response to the opportunity: if the applicant(s) can clearly identify and articulate the impact the project will have on their professional development and artistic practice
- How the applicant(s) will best utilise their time during the project
- Artistic merit as evidenced by the visual material provided
Shortlisted applicants may be required to attend an interview.
CONDITIONS OF THE PROJECT
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 April 2025 and September 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 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 on (08) 7089 0720 or info@helpmannacademy.com.au to make an appointment.