MSU Michigan Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Now Accepting Applications

The MSU Michigan Traditional Arts Program is now accepting applications for the Michigan Traditional Arts Apprenticeship. Applications are due the first Monday in January.

Michigan’s cultural traditions are a treasured resource to be nurtured for future generations. The Michigan Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program encourages cultural preservation, pride, and respect of these traditions through grants of $4,000 made to mentor artists to teach their skills, techniques, and knowledge to others in their communities. Apprentices receive a $1,000 stipend for their time and commitment to carrying on what they have learned.

The intent of this program is to recognize those mentor artists who maintain their traditions with excellence and according to the needs and aesthetics of their communities and to encourage and facilitate the learning and transmission of valued traditions.

An apprenticeship is a designated period of one-on-one training during which a student (the apprentice) learns a tradition through practical, hands-on experience under the guidance of a respected, accomplished traditional artist (the mentor).

A panel of invited specialists reviews the applications in early January. They look for strong evidence of excellence of skill in art form (including recognition of the artist within their community), a description of the tradition and the community in which it is situated, evidence of the commitment of the mentor artist and apprentice to the apprenticeship, appropriateness of the plan of work, and what the prospective apprentice’s motivations and intentions are in undertaking this joint effort.

Review panel meetings are open to the public. Announcements of the awardees are made in the second week of February. All apprenticeships must be completed by August 15 of the year in which they were awarded.

The Michigan Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program is administered by the Michigan Traditional Arts Program. It was established with the support of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Click here for more information and application materials

Posted on December 11, 2024 in Jobs, News. Bookmark the permalink.