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Registration deadline: January
22, 2010
Application deadline:
April 12, 2010
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 four-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
The on-line application form includes the following questions, and a project budget. Required support materials are listed below.
New or returning applicants are
expected to consult with Program staff well in advance of the
registration deadline.
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 the 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.
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 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 may 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.
| Technical
Assistance
Frequently Asked Questions Helpful Hints Script for Visual Support Materials NYSCA Digital Media/Work Samples Technical Instructions |