2025 Craft Apprenticeship Participants (Left to Right): Jody Johnstone (Mentor), Krystal Yavicoli (Apprentice), Linda Perrin (Mentor), Erin Bobo (Apprentice)
Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program
Started in 1990, with National Endowment for the Art’s funding, the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program provides opportunities for experienced traditional artists to teach new generations.
Passed down from one generation to the next, traditional arts are learned informally, usually through observation and example rather than through formal academic instruction. Preference is given to selecting apprentices who are members of the same ethnic, religious, occupational, tribal or familial group as the master artist.
Based on their experience and commitment to their particular art form, master artists select an apprentice to teach, one on one, for an extended period of time, usually a year. Up to $3,000 is available for the master artists’ teaching fees, supplies and travel costs.
Applications are reviewed using the following criteria:
- Artistic quality of master’s work according to the standards of the traditional community
- Role of master artist and art form in community
- Significance of tradition
- Skill and commitment of apprentice
- Feasibility of work plan
- Potential impact of apprenticeship on continued vitality of traditional art
The Maine Arts Commission's Traditional Arts Apprenticeships are administered in partnership with Cultural Resources. To Apply please visit https://www.cultural-resources.org/what-we-do. For assistance contact Kathleen Mundell at moc.oohay@1002secruoserlarutluc or 207-236-6741.Maine Craft Apprenticeship Program
The Maine and New Hampshire Craft Apprenticeship Program (CAP) is presented through a partnership of the Maine Arts Commission, Maine Craft Association, and the League of NH Craftsmen. CAP supports growth and resiliency in the craft sector by offering new skills, tools and management habits that help with the changing desires of craft consumers. It is seven-month customized education for artists who not only have a deep commitment to better their work but are also willing to develop a significant relationship with a Mentor Artist.
This is not a "traditional" apprenticeship where inventory is produced for the Mentor but instead focuses on accomplishing the apprentice's desired professional goals. Pairs apply jointly with agreed goals, a plan for achievement, and a proposed budget for the Apprentice’s stipend. Grant awards are $3,000 for the Mentor Artist for their time and expertise and Apprentices get $1,000 for supplies and tools specific to this apprenticeship. No matching funds are required
How to Apply: Overview
Mentor Artists and Apprentices apply together in one application. Review the application questions & support materials in the guidelines, then prepare your text and uploads.
Eligibility
Eligibility requires participants to be at least eighteen years of age, current New Hampshire or Maine residents, and apprentices must demonstrate foundational skills in the medium they wish to pursue. The program supports craft artists working in craft media, which does not include photography, painting or drawing. Please contact us if you are unsure if your media qualifies.
Selection Process
Applications are reviewed by a panel of Maine or New Hampshire-based professionals for a fi rst round elimination. The panel also interviews the fi nalist pairs with awards given to three or more joint applicants.
Honorarium
Both mentor artist and apprentice receive honorariums based on a recommended one hundred hours of one-on-one training ($3,000 to the mentor, $1,500 to the apprentice). The honorarium for the mentor artist covers their time and transference of knowledge/expertise, while the apprentice’s funds are for supplies/equipment. Apprentice funds may be used on software to aid in the learning process, hardware is not an accepted use for funds.
Relationship
A majority of the training happens at the mentor artist’s studio. Occasionally they visit other studios or events of relevance to their goals. Although we provide a distinct structure for implementation, MaineCAP also allows for adaptations as the pair sees fit to maximize the experience for each. MaineCAP requires that the pair submit interim and final reports.
Alumni Network
To promote sustainability, current participants and alumni are invited to convene annually to discuss outcomes of MaineCAP, as well as to develop networking and foster further mentoring.
Program Partnerships
The Maine Craft Apprentice Program was established in 2016 by the Maine Crafts Association in partnership with the Maine Arts Commission. The Maine Crafts Association manages the program with program logistics support and funding in part by a grant from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. The Craft Apprentice Program is also supported by other annual program partners, sponsors and foundations. In 2023, we began partnering with the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen to expand the program into our neighboring state, offering more opportunities for artists in New England.
