Registration deadline: February 22, 2011
Application deadline: April 1, 2011

Folk arts are traditionally transmitted from elders to younger generations in the same distinctive ethnic, regional, occupational, or religious community. Where the chain of transmission is no longer as strong as it once was, apprenticeships can stimulate the continuity of these traditional arts. 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 from their own community.

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, with priority given to the master artist's fee. Funding may also be provided for travel, supplies, liability insurance costs, modest administrative expenses and the recording of the skills being taught through audio, video or still photography. Support will not be provided for the same master artist for more than two consecutive years. Requests for Folk Arts Apprenticeships are exempt from the Council's three-request limit.

Apprentices must have experience in the art form to be taught, or a related traditional art form. Both the master and apprentice should work together to develop the study plan, which must indicate the sequence of lessons, what will be learned in each lesson and the skills to be mastered.

Application Instructions

Application Narrative Questions

Artistic/Programmatic

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 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.

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

Managerial/Fiscal

6. 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?

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

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

Service to the Public

9. Project Documentation and Products
Will the sessions be recorded for the apprentice's study purposes and as a documentation of the apprenticeship? Who will own any objects created and tools purchased for this apprenticeship? Indicate if any public presentations by the master artist and apprentice will occur, during or after the completion of the apprenticeship.

10. Continuity of this Tradition
How will this apprenticeship contribute to the perpetuation of the folk art form to be taught? Indicate how the apprentice plans to continue to practice this tradition following the completion of the apprenticeship.

Budget note: please specify the master folk artist's fee in the Budget Notes field of the project budget, and itemize other principal expense items.

Support Materials

11. Support Materials
Please list all of the support materials and/or work samples you are submitting. These materials are critical to your application's assessment.

Support Material

Support material must be postmarked, hand-delivered or made available online by the deadline. Please direct them to your appropriate contact at: NYSCA, 175 Varick Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10014 or rbaron@nysca.org or rputnam@nysca.org.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Refer to the Instructions for Work Samples and Support Materials prior to submission.

NYSCA encourages the submission of Web-based Work Samples and Support Material whenever possible.

1. Up to 10 visual images or up to five minutes of audio or video examples, provided on a Windows compatible CD, DVD, or reference to a website, demonstrating the artistic abilities and skills of both the master folk artist and the apprentice. Examples of musicians or storytellers must be in an audio or video format, and dance examples must be provided through video. Audio or video documentation samples should be cued to the excerpts you would like the panel to see or hear. The total length of the samples may not exceed 5 minutes. Complete a visual support materials script to accompany your audio or visual examples, clearly indicating the master artist and apprentice. See the NYSCA Digital Media/Work Samples Technical Instructions for tips on providing support materials on CDs or DVDs.

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.