The Helpmann Academy has awarded funds to nine Flinders graduates from a range of creative disciplines, along with an invitation to join its new Creative Innovator Program – a comprehensive initiative developed to assist creative entrepreneurs to launch their businesses.

Generously supported by a group of philanthropic partners and donors along with Arts South Australia, the Helpmann Academy Creative Innovator Program is a six-month tailored program designed to support participants in developing their business model and honing their entrepreneurial mindset.

Each participant will receive $2000 seed funding, matched one-on-one mentoring from an established arts practitioner, access to workshops and masterclasses delivered by leading business professionals, contact with a pool of industry experts and business advisors, access to a co-working workspace, as well as networking and pitching opportunities. Participants will have the opportunity to pitch for further funding at the conclusion of the program.

Helpmann Academy CEO Jane MacFarlane says the program will take a holistic approach, supporting emerging creatives to develop their networks across industries. “The Creative Innovator Program is the first program of its kind, developed specifically for emerging creative practitioners,” she says. “Creatives need to acquire the attributes that will help them adapt and thrive in a world where the only certainty is change. They need belief in their ability to shape their own futures, take risks, and build their skills, confidence and resilience to innovate in the face of challenges. In short, they need to think like entrepreneurs, which is why we have developed this program.”

The full list of Flinders graduates within the Helpmann Academy Creative Innovator Program participants is:

• Alexander Salkicevic and  Bryce Kraehenbuehl are emerging filmmakers who have formed Two Up Films. Their aim is to create a sustainable production company that focuses on artistic corporate content for businesses that incorporates the storytelling skills they have gained from their narrative films.
• Alice Reardon (Honours graduate) is an emerging filmmaker who hopes to turn her video production company Owl Film & Creative into a sustainable and profitable creative enterprise, and establish herself as a notable filmmaker in South Australia.
• Anthony Robinson (Honours graduate) is an emerging game developer who has created Golden Age Studios, aiming to create products of an international standard by using South Australian skill and talent.
• Bridie Walsh is an emerging fashion designer looking to establish her locally produced, eco-friendly label Róisín the Label in Adelaide.
• Erin Daniell is an emerging jeweller who plans to create a new production range and build her creative business.
• Lily Drummond is an emerging writer, director and producer looking to launch a cross-cultural production company and educational program called Voices of the Reef. She aims to build strong relationships between female storytellers and produce film-based work grounded by cultural ties, contemporary issues and shared challenges across the Pacific.
• Sandra Sok is an emerging fashion designer who is looking to launch her couture and ready-to-wear label Hue Aesthete.
• Tim Carlier (Honours graduate) is an emerging director and producer wanting to create a collective/production company that specialises in web series, feature films, video art, installations and more, and build a full production pathway for associated creatives and crew.