KEY DATES
Applications open: Wednesday 15 July 2026 at 12 noon ACST
Online Information Session: Tuesday 4 August 2026 at 6pm ACST
Applications close: Monday 31 August 2026 at 11.59pm ACST
For activity occurring between 1 January 2027 – 31 December 2027
ABOUT THE GRANT
Helpmann Fellowships are for bold, ambitious projects that have long-term career impacts. The fellowships are self-determined and open to emerging artists from all creative disciplines who currently reside in South Australia.
Through the support of the James & Diana Ramsay Foundation, three fellowships valued at $7,500 are on offer this round.
ACTIVITIES ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING
Individual artists or collectives can pursue customised professional development programs, larger-scale projects, or a combination of both.
- The creation of new work or projects
- Presentation of exhibition or performances
- Participation in residencies or internships
- Touring or recording
- Specialised training
- Participation in longer term professional development programs
Activity must take place between 1 January 2027 and 31 December 2027.
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.
Check your eligibility.
*Graduates of the University of South Australia or the University of Adelaide are also eligible to apply.
BEFORE YOU START YOUR APPLICATION
- Check your eligibility.
- 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, or would prefer, a video submission please follow our guidelines here.
(Please note that you will still need to upload support material as required for the application).
In the form, you will be asked to;
– Fill in the fields with basic personal information
– Provide a brief 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
- Provide a detailed description of the proposal (500 words or less)
- Tell us why this proposal is important for your long-term career development (500 words or less)
- What makes this proposal bold and ambitious? (300 words)
The following support material is required:
- Artist CV – maximum two pages
- Official Academic Transcript
- Project Budget – applicants must use the Helpmann Academy budget template
- Notes to Budget
- Project Timeline – proposed activities and when they will happen
- Project confirmations – from collaborators, acceptances into residencies/programs, exhibition or performance venues
- Letter of support from a current or previous lecturer and an industry professional who can speak to your practice.
- 4-6 images and/or 1-2 audio-visual demos of your work (please note file size limitations in application form)
Optional support material may be included with your application:
- Reviews/press coverage of past work
- Showreels
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:
- Level of artistic merit
- Alignment of proposal with career development and growth
- Feasibility and value of the proposal
- Demonstration of commitment to learning
- Level of ambition
Applicants will be notified of outcomes within four weeks of the application close date.
Shortlisted applicants may be required to attend an interview.
CONSULTATION AND GUIDANCE
Applicants are encouraged to register for the Online Information Session on Tuesday 4 August 2026 at 6pm ACST to find out everything you need to know about this fabulous opportunity.
Applicants are encouraged to discuss their application prior to submitting, please feel free to reach out to Helpmann Academy and book a time for a chat about your project.
Our Program Manager Toni Wills can discuss how the grant 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 online or in person consultation, please click HERE.
FUNDING / CONDITIONS OF THE HELPMANN FELLOWSHIPS
The following conditions apply to all successful applicants:
- Applicants must be a current resident of South Australia.
- Applicants must not have any overdue acquittals for previous projects. Funding will not be provided if the recipient has an overdue acquittal.
- Funding will only be provided for the purchase of equipment, or freight, if they are specific to the project being undertaken.
- Supplies and materials will only be funded if they are specific to the project being undertaken and not for long term use.
- 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 proposed activity within between 1 January 2027 and 31 December 2027.
- Recipients will be invited to become representatives of the 2027 Artist Advisory Group.
- Applicants will be awarded their fellowship at a private presentation in October
- Recipients will be required to provide the Helpmann Academy with email updates 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 who are seeking to use the James & Diana Ramsay Foundation logo for publicity purposes are to ask for prior approval from Helpmann Academy.
- 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.
- All funding decisions are final.
The Helpmann Fellowships are proudly supported by the James & Diana Ramsay Foundation.
