It’s not only the large-scale events such as this year’s outstanding Adelaide Festival and Adelaide Fringe that have won support from the public – in 2010 one of South Australia’s top exhibitions of emerging artists broke all previous records in generating income for artists.

The Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition, which closed with a nomination for an Adelaide Fringe Award, generated more than $30,000 in income for emerging artists - the highest income for artists ever produced by the exhibition, which has been running annually for over 15 years and is a long-time favourite with Adelaide audiences.

“We were thrilled that people wanted to support the artists in this way,” says Helpmann Academy CEO Alison Dunn.

“While the main focus of the exhibition is simply to show the works chosen by our eminent selection panel, it’s nevertheless such a vote of confidence for an artist when someone purchases their work.”

On the opening night, six outstanding artists were presented with awards valued at more than $12,000, including:

• Brooke Randall - the Hill Smith Gallery / Helpmann Academy Friends Award
• Klaus Gutowski - The Raffen Prize
• Astra Parker - City of Adelaide Award (exhibition)
• Scott James - City of Adelaide Award (acquisitive)
• Michelle Jones - Adelaide Art Society Award
• Elizabeth Hetzel – Backer’s Prize

The Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition is an annual exhibition of outstanding artwork by graduating artists from its four visual arts partners. The 2010 exhibition was held at the Torrens Parade Ground on King William Road from 19 February to 14 March