Applications open on Monday 1 June 2026 at 12 noon ACST
Applications close on Tuesday 30 June 2026 at 11:59pm ACST
For activity occurring between 1 September 2026 – 30 June 2027
ABOUT THE MENTORSHIP
Helpmann Academy’s Elevate Mentorship program supports eligible emerging creatives to self-select a mentor who can assist with career growth by providing industry knowledge, advice, skills and technical training, networking opportunities, and practical experience.
Available to final-year students and graduates and valued up to $3,000, the funding will cover mentor fees and associated costs of undertaking the mentorship.
The mentorship is to be tailored to your needs and goals supporting career development technically, conceptually or professionally.
You may choose a mentor outside your field of practice or someone you already have an existing relationship with.
This is not a matched mentorship, you will need to have a discussion with your proposed mentor before applying. Written confirmation of the mentor’s participation is also required with your application..
Your mentorship can be based locally, interstate, or internationally. Mentorships can be conducted in-person or online, giving you the freedom to choose a mentor beyond borders.
The activity must take place between 1 September 2026 – 30 June 2027.
ACTIVITIES ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING
A mentorship is an opportunity to access experience, perspective and networks that can accelerate your development as an artist and/or creative business owner.
The mentorship structure for this program is flexible.
Examples of how a mentorship can be structured include:
- Studio visits, allowing for hands-on development of skills and observational learning
- Development sessions for a dance, music, or theatre work
- Film script development and advice on editing or distribution of films
- Curatorial advice on mounting an exhibition
- Assistance with establishing a business and/or marketing strategy for an arts practice
WHO CAN APPLY?
Applications are invited from final year students and graduates of supported degrees from our partner institutions – the Adelaide University and Flinders University – within five (5) years from graduation.
Honours students and graduates (up to five years following the final year of study) are also eligible to apply, provided honours study was undertaken directly following the undergraduate degree.
Masters and PhD graduates and candidates are not eligible to apply unless they still qualify through their undergraduate or honours study.
BEFORE YOU START YOUR APPLICATION
- Check your eligibility HERE
- Read this Information for Applicants guideline thoroughly.
- Read our Grant Writing Tip Sheet HERE
Application
Applications are made via the required form on the Helpmann Academy website.
If you need to submit via video submission, please get in touch with our team at info@helpmannacademy.com.au or +61 479 114 073 in advance of the deadline to discuss alternative arrangements.
In the form, you will be asked to;
– fill in the fields with basic personal information
– provide a brief written description of your proposed activity
– respond to all questions
– upload requested support material
Applicants are required to provide responses to the following questions
- Tell us about yourself and your creative practice to date
- Outline the objectives of your proposed mentorship.
- Why have you selected this mentor, and how will their expertise and experience contribute to your career development?
- How do you intend to structure the mentorship?
Required support material is outlined in the application form and includes:
- Your artist CV (maximum two x A4 pages)
- Your official academic transcript
- Budget – applicants must use the Helpmann Academy budget template
- Timeline of activity
- The name and contact details of your proposed mentor
- Letter of confirmation of your proposed mentor
- Your proposed mentor’s CV or artist bio
- Project timeline
- 4-6 images and/or 1-2 audio-visual demos of your work (40MB limit).
Optional support material may be included with your application (10MB limit):
- Letters of support
- Reviews/press coverage of past work
- Show reels or audio/visual demos.
* We recommend you organise and request letters of support from your referee(s) as soon as you start your application – allow plenty of time before the application due date to do so. Letters must be provided with the online application form, not sent separately.
ASSESSMENT
Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Clear demonstration of goals and objectives for the mentorship
- Career impact and future benefit of the mentorship
- Suitability of mentor to achieve goals and objectives
- Feasibility and structure of the mentorship
CONSULTATION AND GUIDANCE
Applicants are encouraged to discuss their application prior to submitting.
Our Program Manager Toni Wills can discuss how the mentorship fits in with your practice and ambition. 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 chat, please click HERE.
FUNDING/CONDITIONS OF ELEVATE MENTORSHIPS
The following conditions apply to all successful applicants:
- All funding decisions are final.
- Former lecturers will not be considered as potential mentors.
- Applicants must not have any overdue acquittals for previous projects. Funding will not be provided if the recipient has an overdue acquittal.
- Funding will not be provided for current course requirements or any formal qualifications.
- Funding will not be provided retrospectively, and expenses cannot be covered until a signed agreement form has been returned.
- Recipients must undertake the activity within the stated activity period.
- Recipients will be required to provide the Helpmann Academy with a midway update throughout the duration of the program and provide a final artistic and financial acquittal report within four weeks of the completion of the program.
- Recipients will be required to acknowledge Helpmann Academy in any publicity, signage or other distributed material relating to the project for which the fellowship 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 for this use.
- Recipients may be asked to supply images and content throughout the project 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.
- If there are any changes to the recipient’s proposed program or budget, they must notify the Helpmann Academy immediately, and obtain approval before commencing any revised plans or spending.