(Competitive Category)
Registration deadline: March 3
Application deadline: September 5

Folk arts are traditionally transmitted from elders to younger generations in the same distinctive ethnic, regional, occupational, or religious community. Folk Arts Apprenticeships help to ensure the continuation of traditional arts by providing individuals experienced in a folk art with opportunities to study with master folk artists.

Support in this category is intended for one apprentice to work with one master artist, except in circumstances where the art form is traditionally learned in small groups. In such cases support may be provided for apprenticeships involving more than one apprentice, but generally not exceeding three persons. The master artist and the apprentice must be from the community practicing the tradition. Priority is given to apprenticeships involving the transmission of traditions no longer widely practiced.

Funding awards for apprenticeships generally do not exceed $5,000, which principally covers the fee of the master folk artist. Support will not be provided for the same master and apprentice team for more than two consecutive years. Requests for Folk Arts Apprenticeships are exempt from the Council's four-request limit.

Application Instructions

The on-line application form includes the following questions, and a project budget. Required support materials are listed below.

Application Narrative Questions

1. Master Folk Artist
Who is the master folk artist? How long has the master artist practiced this folk art? Where and from whom was it learned? Describe the master artist's experiences in teaching this tradition, if applicable.

2. Folk Art Form
Describe the folk art form to be taught by the master artist, touching on the ways the art form is currently practiced in the community where the master lives/works. Who else practices this art form in this community?

3. Apprentice
Who is the apprentice and what is his/her experience in practicing this or any related folk art form? How was this apprentice selected? If the apprentice previously worked with this master artist, describe the nature and length of their association.

4. Project Development
How will the apprentice's level of skill affect the work plan for the apprenticeship? How was the study plan developed and by whom?

5. Project Goals
What level of ability/accomplishment can be achieved through the project? Please be as specific as possible—for example, indicate an object to be made, a body of songs to be learned, an instrumental technique or dance style to be taught, building on any prior accomplishments.

6. Study Plan
Provide a session by session outline of the proposed study plan.

7. Administrative Support
Describe administrative and technical support to be provided by the applicant organization.

8. Apprentice Responsibilities
Will the apprentice have other responsibilities, such as assisting the master with his/her own projects?

9. Project Materials
Will the sessions be recorded for the apprentice's study purposes? Who will own any objects created and tools purchased for this apprenticeship?

Budget note: please specify the master folk artist's fee in the budget notes field of the project budget.

Support Materials

Support material must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the program by the application deadline. If you want support materials returned, provide a self-addressed stamped envelope.

1. Up to 10 slides, CD-ROM or up to five minutes of audio or video tape demonstrating the artistic abilities and skills of both the master folk artist and the apprentice. Complete a slide script to accompany your images.

2. A letter of commitment, signed and dated by the master artist, agreeing to accept the apprentice indicated in this application, under the terms specified