KEY DATES
Applications open Friday 1 May 2026 at 12 noon ACST
Applications close on Monday 15 June 2026 at 11:59pm ACST
For activity occurring between 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2027
ABOUT THE AWARD
Celebrating excellence and opportunity, the annual First Nations Award supports an early career artist to realise a project or develop their practice.
The First Nations Award is presented by Helpmann Academy and made possible through the generous support of South Australian Power Networks.
This $5,000 cash award will enable a Helpmann eligible First Nations artist (individual or group) to focus on advancing their creative practice. The Award acknowledges the artist’s early career achievements and recognises the artist’s potential.
Applicants are encouraged to propose a project or creative development that the $5,000 award can assist in realising.
The First Nations Award supports opportunities such as:
- The creation or realisation of new work
- Research and development of new ideas
- Development of new skills
- A creative or business mentorship
- Participation in a professional development program
WHO CAN APPLY
Applications are invited from emerging creatives who identify as First Nations who are graduates of supported degrees from our partner institutions – the Adelaide University* and Flinders University – within five (5) years from graduation.
Applicants can be an individual or a group (with all the majority of members being Helpmann Alumni).
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 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 degree timeframe.
To check your eligibility, please visit the Who We Support page on our website.
BEFORE YOU START YOUR APPLICATION
Before commencing your application, please ensure that you are eligible to apply. Check HERE.
For extra information, visit our FAQs HERE and read our Grant Writing tip sheet HERE!
To discuss your application prior to submission, you can book a 30 minute online or in person consultation with our Program Manager, Toni Wills. Please use this LINK to book a chat.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications CLOSE on Monday 15 June 11:59pm.
Applications are to be submitted via the Helpmann Academy website form or by uploading a video to the online application form.
If would prefer to submit a video application, please contact our team to discuss via info@helpmannacademy.com.au / 0479 114 073
Video applications must:
- Be under three (3) minutes long
- Answer the three questions clearly (please say the question before your response)
- Support material must be provided and attached to the online form (an Artist CV, Academic transcript, Letter of endorsement)
Applicants are required to provide responses to the following questions:
- Tell us about yourself and your creative practice: You may include details such as artist bio, professional experience to date, any awards you have received, successful grant applications, details of any productions, exhibitions etc and any key artists or collaborators you’ve worked with.
- Details of project: Provide a detailed description of the project activity, where it will take place, when it will happen, who is involved and how you will undertake the activity). Please include details about any collaborators, their role in your project and your reasons for working with them.
- Tell us how this activity will benefit your creative career: Identify what the outcomes will be from undertaking your project and how the project will contribute to your career development (Why me? Why this? Why now?).
The following support material is required:
- Artist CV (maximum two x A4 pages)
- Academic transcript
- **One letter of endorsement from a previous lecturer from one of Helpmann Academy’s partner institutions (Adelaide University or Flinders University) or an industry peer
- Up to five images of your work or links to video or audio (10MB limit)
** 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 PROCESS
The successful applicant will clearly demonstrate how their proposed program will contribute to their professional development.
Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Level of artistic merit of the proposal
- Clear articulation of the impact the proposed activity will have on career development and creative practice
- Demonstration of clear and realistic timeframes
Please contact our team to discuss on via info@helpmannacademy.com.au / 0479 114 073
CONDITIONS OF AWARD
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 July 2026 and 30 June 2027
- 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 and SAPN 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.
*Graduates of the University of South Australia or the University of Adelaide are also eligible for this grant.