Helpmann Academy Graduate
Exhibition 2018

The Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition is held at the Drill Hall, Torrens Parade Ground, Victoria Drive, (Adelaide CBD). The exhibition is open to the public from 16 February to 11 March, 10:30am to 4:30pm daily. Entry is free. www.helpmannacademy.com.au

The Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition is a highly anticipated annual event, providing a glimpse into the future of South Australian contemporary art.

Now celebrating its 23rd year, the exhibition represents an engaging overview of the most compelling art being produced by graduates (including Masters and PhD Candidates) from Adelaide College of the Arts (TAFE SA / Flinders University) and School of Art, Architecture and Design (University of South Australia).

The exhibition provides a unique opportunity for graduating artists to gain public recognition in a prestigious setting, alongside their peers. The exhibition has a long history of launching the careers of South Australia's up-and-coming visual artists with many going on to receive further funding, awards and scholarships, and achieving local and national gallery representation and recognition.

In 2018, participating artists are eligible for awards with a combined value of over $60,000, making the exhibition one of the most valuable opportunities for emerging artists in the country. The awards program is complemented with a newly introduced professional development program, providing further opportunities to the participating artists, and broader artistic community.

Featuring works across a diversity of media, materials, processes and technologies, the exhibition is not representative of a curatorial theme, rather it is a considered response to works made at the culmination of three or four years of constant study, exploration and reflection. For many of the artists presented, this will be the first time they have appeared in a major show outside of their School, while for others it is the continuation of an already burgeoning career.

We thank the awards and selection panel for their participation and the staff and 2017 graduates of Adelaide College of the Arts (TAFE SA / Flinders University), and School of Art, Architecture and Design (University of South Australia), for making this exhibition possible.

The Helpmann Academy gratefully acknowledges the support of our following Partners:

Major Event Partner

• City Rural Insurance
• Wine Partner
• Grigori Family Wines

Award Partners

• Hill Smith Gallery
• University of South Australia
• Bluethumb
• The City of Adelaide
• MinterEllison
• City Rural Insurance
• Jam Factory
• Peter Walker Fine Art
• RSASA
• SALA

Award Donors

• Roger and Helen Salkeld
• David Raffen
• Rob Lyons
• David Hayden

Exhibition Selection Panel

• Margo Hill-Smith, Director, Hill Smith Gallery
• Tony Magnusson, Curator of European and North American Art, Art Gallery of South Australia
• Hugo Michell, Director, Hugo Michell Gallery