fbpx

What is Vaulting Ambitions?

Vaulting Ambitions is an incubator program developed under a strategic partnership between Expressions Media and City of Adelaide at multi-purpose creative hub, Prompt Creative Centre on Pirie Street.

Following a highly successful program in 2021 and 2022, Vaulting Ambitions is now calling for applications for the 2023 program.

The program is open to creative practitioners of all disciplines and levels of experience who wish to develop skills in business and promotion, while also making new connections with fellow creatives. Vautling Ambitions has potential to take creative careers to the next level.

A core group of at least ten participants will be drawn from applications to complete the program free of charge over the course of 2023 (comprising minimum days of participation).

The monthly schedule of sessions includes workshops (led by artists / professional practitioners and each with a specific theme / focus), panel discussions, mentoring sessions, networking events, artist showcases and creative practice / development opportunities (making use of Prompt Creative Centre facilities).

Other opportunities include small group meetups, a monthly challenge to keep projects stimulated and on track, online goal setting, and casual coffee/drop in sessions.

Session topics include: publicity and promotion, financial literacy, intellectual property and copyright law, wellbeing, resilience and work/life balance, digital marketing, digital storytelling and photography, developing your mission, vision and purpose, contract law, business literacy, arts administration, one page CV and showreel training, cultural awareness training, accessibility training, and grant writing. Input will also be sought from participants regarding areas of need, with sessions developed to cater to these topics.

 

Who can participate?

Creative practitioners of all disciplines and levels of experience who wish to develop skills in business and promotion, while also making new connections with fellow creatives are encouraged to apply. This incorporates everyone from those just starting out to those who are more established in their creative enterprise – as long as it can be identified how the program would enhance such practice.

Participants must be able to commit to involvement in sessions spread across 2023 (note that this will comprise a monthly program of workshops, events and check-ins, and will be a mix of on-site and remote interactions to be delivered with some flexibility). There is an expectation you attend a majority of sessions to stay within the program, so please consider your availability and capacity when applying,

Outside of core creatives selected through the application process, other casual participants will be able to access regular, discrete offerings during the project, which will include free events and those offered at a nominal cost.

Creatives who are currently working on a project or idea are encouraged to apply, as goal-setting and check-ins will ensure they are kept on track with a goal to have an established concept by program completion. 

We encourage applications from anyone involved in creative practice who would benefit from this program. There are no age limits or restrictions for participants.

 

What are the benefits of participation?

  •       Training across a range of topics related to the business of being creative
  •       Individual mentoring, coaching and professional guidance
  •       Networking with other creatives
  •       The opportunity to participate in showcase events
  •       Optional use of Prompt Creative Centre to develop the creative business, run workshops, develop ideas or hold meetings 

 

What does the program involve?

Participation in Vaulting Ambitions will include the following:

  • Regular training sessions (often fortnightly) covering a range of core topics related to the business of being creative (conducted on weekday evenings at Prompt Creative Centre)
  • Mentoring sessions (conducted at a time negotiated with mentor/s)
  • Weekly check-in sessions
  • Artistic opportunities
  • Creative business practice – participants encouraged to make use of facilities at Prompt Creative Centre

Please note that while Vaulting Ambitions offers a range of supports for participants, it does not include any grant funding or supply of materials.

Key dates

  • Applications open now
  • Applications close:11:59pm on Sunday, 2 April 2023
  • Applicants notified: 14 April
  • Program commence 1 May. Weekly check ins, and fortnightly training and mentoring sessions begin with a welcome event (2 hours per week participation with access to Prompt Creative Centre)
  • Other events TBA
  • Program ends with a graduation / showcase event

Selection Criteria

Innovation and quality: A clearly articulated area of creative practice, with a vision for how this can be further developed (with priority given to projects that emphasise innovation, sustainability and/or diversity).

Viability: Participants have identified how involvement in Vaulting Ambitions can assist in the development of their creative enterprise with a demonstrable commitment to participating in the program.

Connection between creative practice and the City of Adelaide: A demonstrated connection between the participant (and their creative enterprise) and the City of Adelaide, either currently or as anticipated in the future.

Diversity: A capacity to expand, cultivate and enhance cultural experiences and opportunities that attract and connect with diverse, new and/or hard to reach audiences. This could be in relation to program participants or potential audiences for the creative enterprise.

 

Assessment

An evaluation panel, comprising representatives from Expressions Media and the City of Adelaide will review applications and select up to ten participants based on suitability according to the above criteria. Applicants will be notified of the outcome by 14 April with program activities commencing in May.

 

Further questions

Please make contact with us by emailing enquiries@expressionsadelaide.com