Supporting emerging creative ambition

Image: Bryce Kraehenbuehl, still from the music video ‘Isolation Island’ by Somnium that aired on RAGE. Image courtesy Two Up Films.

2024 Supporting emerging creative ambition by Henry Wolff

Ambition is a vital element in establishing a robust creative practice. However, to be ambitious and have the confidence to pursue pivotal works, emerging creatives often require access to considerable resourcing.

Acknowledging that creative ambition needs support the Helpmann Academy, with generous funding from the James & Diana Ramsay Foundation, created the Creative Investment Fellowships program.

Ambition is a vital element in establishing a robust creative practice. However, to be ambitious and have the confidence to pursue pivotal works, emerging creatives often require access to considerable resourcing.

Acknowledging that creative ambition needs support the Helpmann Academy, with generous funding from the James & Diana Ramsay Foundation, created the Creative Investment Fellowships program.

The Creative Investment Fellowships fund eligible South Australian emerging creatives to chase opportunities of significance that will develop their artistic practice in meaningful and vital ways – to empower them to boldly take the next step in defining their burgeoning careers.

“We are proud to support the Helpmann Academy Creative Investment Fellowships, as we recognise the pivotal impact that significant funding can have early in a creative’s career” shares James & Diana Ramsay Foundation Executive Director, Kerry de Lorme. “Ensuring that emerging creatives are supported to be ambitious cultivates a robust arts sector in South Australia for everyone to enjoy.”

Truc Truong (University of South Australia) was the recipient of a Creative Investment Fellowship in 2022, using the funds to undertake a mentorship with Phuong Ngo and develop an exhibition with Post Office Projects Gallery + Studios that explored themes relevant to the post-colonial second-generation Vietnamese Australian diaspora and the tension of Buddhism, Vietnamese spirituality, and Christianity.

“The project has provided a transformative platform for self-discovery, pushing me to delve deeper into my artistic voice and embrace the unexpected” said Truong when reflecting on the experience. “Through the challenges and triumphs encountered, I have grown both personally and artistically, gaining a heightened sense of resilience, adaptability, and confidence in my abilities.”

Image: Truc Truong, installation view of ‘macro-stuffed-supper’ at Post Office Projects Gallery + Studios, 2022. Pig intestines, cookie monster, lunar new year decorations, diet coke can. Photography by Andre Castellucci.

In 2021, emerging director and film producer, Bryce Kraehenbuehl (Flinders University) pursued a mentorship with Celluloid Super 8 Lab owner, Richard Tuohy. Kraehenbuehl explored the world of analogue film, learning how to hand develop Super 8 and 16mm film, and created several films and music videos utilising these skills.

“The Helpmann Creative Investment Fellowship has been one of the most beneficial programs I have ever taken part in. The learning I have gained through my mentor Richard has allowed me to find more of a love in just creating and has also allowed me to set-up a small celluloid film lab here in Adelaide, where I can support other filmmakers to use this medium” shared Kraehenbuehl.

Mark Curtis and the Flannelettes (University of Adelaide) also benefitted from the support of a Creative Investment Fellowship in 2021, completing an album – including mastering audio, the commissioning of album artwork and the physical manufacture of 150 copies of their debut record. Alongside the creation of their first album, the band were able to hire industry professionals to consult on their career trajectory and support their album’s release.

“The Helpmann Academy’s support has been invaluable for us as early career artists. We are so grateful for how our Creative Investment Fellowship has removed barriers and allowed us to turn our creative aspirations into reality” shared Mark Curtis.

Henry Wolff is a visual artist and arts worker living and working on Kaurna Country.

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