Traditional Arts Apprenticeship

The Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program guidelines are designed to assist Maine’s communities to preserve valuable artistic traditions. The program provides $4,000 stipend to allow master traditional artists to pass on their skills to qualified apprentices. It is expected that the master and apprentice will develop in advance, as part of their application, a budget for any mileage and materials that are needed to complete the apprenticeship.  That budget is to be included in the $4,000 stipend. Based on their experience, master artists and apprentices apply to work together on a one-to-one instructional basis. The program encourages applications generated by master traditional artists. Funds are available for the master artist's teaching fee, apprentices' supplies and travel costs, and documentation of the apprenticeship. Although, in some cases, masters have been allowed to work with more than one apprentice at a time, preference will be given to applications with a 1:1 relationship between the master and apprentice.

Deadline

The postmarked application deadline is June 12, 2009.

E-GRANT will accept applications until 11:59 pm, E.S.T., however; agency staff is only available to answer questions until 5:00 pm, E.S.T. Because of the volume of e-GRANT submissions on the day of any grant deadline, we strongly recommend you give yourself a 24 hour buffer.

The agency is unable to accept late applications under any circumstance.

Who is Eligible to Apply

	Button box accordion, Normand Gagnon and apprentice, Rumford.

Any traditional artist who:

• practices a traditional art on a regular basis and is recognized as a master by his or her community
• has a valid Maine address as a full time resident of the state, and
• is 18 years of age or older at the time of the application, and
• is not enrolled as a full-time student in a field related to the application, and
• has completed and filed all final reports required for previous Maine Arts Commission grants that might have been received.

While master artists must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application, apprentices may be any age. Preference will be given to apprentices exhibiting some familiarity with the art form practiced by the master. In extenuating circumstances, the review panel may opt to fund an apprentice’s study with a master artist outside the community. These cases should be limited to situations in which no suitable master artist is available within the community, or nearby. In such cases, the apprentice becomes the lead applicant.

How to Apply

Guidelines are available in large print format by request. All Maine Arts Commission programs are accessible to people with disabilities. All programs founded by the Maine Arts Commission must also be accessible.

Defining e-GRANT

Applicants are now required to apply through the Maine Arts Commission e-GRANT system. Forms to accompany e-GRANT applications can be downloaded on your computer, filled out and electronically uploaded to the e-GRANT system. Applicants who have a compelling reason that they are unable to apply through the e-GRANT system must discuss an alternative at this time.

e-GRANT provides the following advantages over the standard application format:

• e-GRANT allows applicants who apply for multiple grants to supply contact information only once. Only one copy of the electronic application is required.
• e-GRANT guarantees that an application will be received by the deadline. Applicants are notified as soon as the e-GRANT application is downloaded.
• e-GRANT will not allow an incomplete application to be submitted, but rather will identify missing materials. Complete applications are guaranteed to be reviewed.
• e-GRANT allows an applicant to submit narrative, budget information and resumes, letter of intent, etc. by attaching word processed documents.
• e-GRANT applications may require an original signature or artist materials that can not be submitted electronically. These must also be postmarked by the deadline as well.

Please review the following guidelines carefully in preparing your application materials. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in disqualification of your application. Only complete applications will be accepted.

	Clara Neptune Keezer shares her extensive knowledge of basket making with Cyril Francis.

1. Before finalizing the application, the applicant is required to discuss the project with a member of the Maine Arts Commission program staff. Please contact Keith Ludden, community arts associate, 207/287-2713, keith.ludden@maine.gov or TTY/NexTalk 877/887-3878. Please note that it is important that these conversations take place well in advance of the application deadline, in order to be effective in shaping the application and guiding the master and apprentice to a successful proposal.
2. Next, the master artist and apprentice(s) must meet to discuss the course of study and to complete the application. The master artist and apprentice(s) must submit a one joint application.

1. e-GRANT Application Forms: Applicant Information and Project Information.
2. Vendor Form (this is information used by the Treasury to generate a check if the grant is awarded. Applicants should be sure to indicate the address the check should be sent to.)
3. One complete set of properly labeled Artistic Materials.
4. A list describing these materials must accompany the application and should include titles, dimensions, length of performance, etc.
5. Application Narrative. Master artists and apprentices applying to the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program must answer several questions as part of the application process. Master artists must complete the questions listed under Part A. Apprentices must answer questions listed under Part B. Please take time to consider these questions carefully and make sure your answers are complete. Address each question individually and in order.
   1. What is your art form?
   2. How did you learn your art form?
   3. How long have you been practicing it?
   4. What do you want to teach your apprentice?
   5. Why is it important for you to teach this art to someone else?
   6. How long will the apprenticeship last?
   7. How often will you meet?
6. Biographical Information. Master traditional artists should submit a biography of not less than 350 words providing information about the master's role in the community, family background and how he/she developed their skill.
7. Up to three letters of support.
8. Newspaper articles and other promotional materials may be included.

1. One complete set of properly labeled artistic materials.
2. A list describing these materials must accompany the application and should include titles, dimensions, length of performance, etc. If work samples from the apprentice are available, please include them, making sure to clearly differentiate the work of the master from the work of the apprentice.
3. Application Narrative.Apprentices must answer questions listed under Part B. Please take time to consider these questions carefully and make sure your answers are complete. Address each question individually and in order.
   1. How and why did you become interested in the art form you wish to study?
   2. Describe your current skills in this traditional art.
   3. Have you already been practicing the art? If so, for how long.
   4. What specific skills do you hope to acquire, and what aspects of the art to you hope to learn?
   5. Why do you want to participate in the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program?
   6. What are your plans for continuing to work in this art form?
   7. Describe your connection to the community and the tradition you wish to study.
   8.What role do you think the art plays in the community?
   
4. Biographical Information. Apprentices should submit a biography of not less that 250 words, providing information about their connection to the community, their introduction to and progress in the art and current skill levels.

Note: Master and Apprentice materials must be submited as one e-GRANT application under the name of the Master artist.

Artistic Materials

Master artists and apprentices applying to the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program must submit examples of their work in the format described below:

VISUAL ARTIST OR CRAFTSPERSON: Five photos or slides showing examples their work.
PERFORMING ARTIST: An audio cassette, video cassette or CD that demonstrates their work.
STORYTELLER OR ORAL TRADITIONS: An audio cassette, video cassette or DVD of a storytelling or oral tradition performance.

Biographical Information

	Fred Legere and apprentices, L-R, Adele St. Pierre, Fred Legere, Joshua Anchors.

Please include a biographical sketch, letters of support, newspaper articles and other promotional materials that relate to the apprenticeship. Master traditional artists should submit a biography of not less than 350 words providing information about the master's role in the community, family background and how he/she developed their skill. Apprentices should submit a biography of not less that 250 words, providing information about their connection to the community, their introduction to and progress in the art and current skill levels.

The master artist and apprentice must combine their materials into one application package. Please do not submit work in elaborate file folders or packaging. Paper clips may be used, please do not use staples. Make copies of all forms and other application materials for the applicant’s records prior to submitting them to the Maine Arts Commission. Do not use type fonts below 12-point print. For questions, please contact Keith Ludden, community arts associate, 207/287-2713, keith.ludden@maine.gov or TTY/NexTalk 877/887-3878.

Review Process

	Carved dancing dolls, Fred Legere, Jay

Following submission, a traditional arts jury reviews all applications. Jurors are selected for expertise in their field of traditional arts. Jurors review the narrative questions and supporting material submitted by the applicants.

Recommendations are presented to the Maine Arts Commission members who will consider the proposals at their next scheduled meeting.

Review Criteria