Traditional Arts Apprenticeship

The Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program guidelines are designed to assist Maine’s communities to preserve valuable artistic traditions. The program provides an opportunity for master traditional artists to pass on their skills to qualified apprentices. 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.

Deadline

June 27, 2008.

Completed applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. EST. on the date listed above in one of the two formats. Beginning in FY2009 the agency will require all applicants to submit electronically unless a hardship case can be made.

e-GRANT format: must be electronically submitted, the agency’s preferred method for grant filing. Forms to accompany e-GRANT applications can be downloaded on your computer, filled out and electronically uploaded to the e-GRANT system. Note: e-GRANT applications may require an original signature or artist materials that can not be submitted electronically. These must be postmarked by the deadline as well.
Standard format: must be postmarked by mail, a delivery company or be hand delivered to the Maine Arts Commission office, 193 State Street, Augusta, Maine 04330.

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

Who is Eligible to Apply


	Button box accordion, Normand Gagnon and apprentice, Rumford.

Any traditional artist who is:

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.

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.

Accessible Print Symbol Telephone Typewriter Symbol Sign Language Interpretation Symbol

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.

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 and traditional arts associate, 207/287-2713, keith.ludden@maine.gov or TTY/NexTalk 877/887-3878 User ID: keith.ludden
At this point, applicants may be advised to consult with Kathy Ann Shaw, senior development associate, 207/287-2750, kathy.shaw@maine.gov or TTY/NexTalk 877/887-3878 User ID: kathy.shaw

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.


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

Applicants who have been encouraged to proceed must submit:

One Maine Arts Commission Application Form for Artists.
One State of Maine Vendor Form for the Master Artist only.
One complete set of properly labeled Artistic Materials.
A list describing these materials must accompany the application and should include titles, dimensions, length of performance, etc.
One copy of answers to the Application Narrative, Part A. Master Artist.
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.
Up to three letters of support of support.
Newspaper articles and other promotional materials may be included.

The apprentice(s) must submit:

One copy of answers to the Application Narrative, Part B. Apprentice.
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.
One complete set of properly labeled artistic materials.
A list describing these materials must accompany the application and should include titles, dimensions, length of performance, etc.

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.
STORY TELLER, ORAL OR OTHER WRITTEN TRADITIONS: a typed or word-processed manuscript not to exceed 20 doubled-spaced, single-sided pages.

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 and traditional arts associate, 207/287-2713, keith.ludden@maine.gov or TTY/NexTalk 877/887-3878 User ID: keith.ludden.

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.

The Maine Arts Commission’s community arts committee reviews applications submitted by the jury. Recommendations are presented to the Maine Arts Commission members who will consider the proposals at their next scheduled meeting.

Review Criteria

All grant proposals are considered on a competitive basis using the following criteria:

The master artist’s excellence as an artist.
Authenticity of artist and tradition.
Membership of the master and apprentice in the culture or community in question.
Role of the artist and art form in community life.
Relationship of the master to the apprentice.
Degree of endangerment of the art form.