School of Art splits from Helpmann Academy
Adelaide Central School of Art has ended its partnership with emerging artist supporter the Helpmann Academy over a proposed increase in its affiliate membership fee.
The Adelaide Central School of Art building in the Glenside precinct.
In a media statement, the School of Art said it had been advised that the fee would rise in 2016/17 and that opportunities and services for its graduates would reduce.
“Specifically, Adelaide Central School of Art graduates would be excluded from applying for all Helpmann Academy grants and funding.”
It said it understood the move resulted from a changed funding arrangement with the Government, but that “the value proposition for the School is nevertheless uneconomic, disadvantageous and not in the best interests of its students and graduates”.
In response, the Helpmann Academy said the fee change, which it described as a “very modest increase”, was the result of a move to create a more equitable partnership with all its partner institutions, which include TAFE SA (Adelaide College of the Arts), Adelaide University (Elder Conservatorium), UniSA (School of Art, Architecture and Design), and Flinders University (Flinders Drama Centre and Flinders Screen Production).
Established in 1994, the academy is a not-for-profit organisation which provides professional development opportunities for South Australian emerging artists through grants, mentorships, international exchanges and other avenues.
“The students and graduates of Adelaide Central School of Art have benefitted considerably from the support of the Helpmann Academy for the past 15 years,” the academy said in a statement.
“In the past four years, Helpmann has provided more than $165,000 in direct support to graduates from Adelaide Central School of Art.”
It said further support had been provided through professional development, marketing and promotional opportunities, adding: “The Helpmann Academy would have preferred to work with the Adelaide Central School of Art to better align their contributions with the benefits their graduates received, but unfortunately this was not possible.”
Ingrid Kellenbach, CEO of the Adelaide Central School of Art, said it now planned to set up its own Graduate Support Program in place of the affiliate membership of the Helpmann Academy.
“We are very excited about this new chapter and the doors it will open.”
