The Helpmann Academy helped us to be proactive with our careers

The Helpmann Academy helped me promote myself as a professional artist

The Helpmann Academy helped me travel to China for an awesome six-week artist residency

The Helpmann Academy helped our graduating class go on our showcase tour

The Helpmann Academy helped me stage a solo exhibition of my paintings

The Helpmann Academy helped me with great advice and encouragement

The Helpmann Academy helped me stage my first professional production

The Helpmann Academy helped me produce two short films

The Helpmann Academy helped me meet up with my mentor

The Helpmann Academy helped me expand and develop my skills as a film producer

The Helpmann Academy helped me gain national media coverage

The Helpmann Academy helped me produce catalogues of my work

The Helpmann Academy helped me undertake a theatre internship in the UK

The Helpmann Academy helped us build relationships with arts communities across the country

Welcome

The Helpmann Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts is a registered not-for-profit organisation established to assist the careers of emerging South Australian artists.

The Academy provides professional development opportunities including grants, mentorships, international artist exchanges and more, all tailored specifically for South Australia’s student, graduate and emerging artists.

This sophisticated and collaborative support model is unique to South Australia.

Named in honour of world-renowned performing artist Sir Robert Helpmann, the Academy works in partnership with all of the major tertiary arts institutions, each providing professional level training and education in the creative arts.

These partner institutions are TAFE SA (Adelaide College of the Arts), University of Adelaide (Elder Conservatorium of Music), Flinders University (Flinders Drama and Flinders Screen Production) the University of South Australia (South Australian School of Art) and the private provider Adelaide Central School of Art.

Established in 1994, the Helpmann Academy has helped more than 5,000 emerging South Australian artists begin their professional lives. The Academy auspices a range of awards and prizes including the Bendigo & Adelaide Bank Award, the Hill-Smith Gallery/Helpmann Academy Friends Award, the Raffen Award, the Elder Conservatorium Jazz Awards and four prizes presented by the Adelaide City Council.

Our activities are supported by a range of organisations and individuals who make our endeavours possible. These include the Government of South Australia, sponsors, patrons, donors, Friends, volunteers and the staff of our partner institutions.