Pennsylvania council on the arts

• Support the learning of traditional arts through apprenticeships.

• Provide funding over a one-year period for master-apprentice partnerships.

• Offered annually in both performing and craft traditions.

• Staged productions or representations of historical folk arts.

• Reproductions of historic objects that are no longer in use.

• Ongoing classes where a master artist instructs in a classroom situation.

• Production or marketing of crafts that are not part of the living heritage of particular communities.

• Master Artist:

  • Must demonstrate excellence within their artistic tradition.

  • Must be held in high regard for their skill, knowledge, and cultural practice by their community.

• Apprentice:

  • Must demonstrate interest and basic competency in the art form (generally at least one year of relevant experience).

  • Must be at least 18 years of age.

  • Must demonstrate a commitment to learning and maintaining the nuances of the tradition.

  • Must demonstrate a commitment to preserving the art form beyond the apprenticeship period.

• Master Artist (25 points): Cultural background, training, technical ability, and knowledge of the art form.

• Apprentice Artist (25 points): Cultural background, basic competency in the art form, and commitment to maintaining the art form.

• Quality of Work Plan (25 points): Appropriateness of proposed goals, learning approach, budget, and schedule.

• Prospective Impact (25 points): Impact of the apprenticeship on the preservation and development of the art form within the cultural community.

• Application Form: Completed by both the master artist and the apprentice.

• Work Plan: Detailed apprenticeship work plan.

• Artist Statements: Statements from both the master artist and the apprentice.

• Work Samples: High-quality, recent work samples from both artists.

• Budget: Detailed budget outlining how the award will be spent.

• Pennsylvania Folklife Archive Permission Form: Signed by both the master artist and apprentice.

• Electronic Submission: Submit the full application via email. Application deadline TBD.

• Hard Copy Submission: Mail the application and supporting materials to:

  Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
  FOLK & TRADITIONAL ARTS APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
  Room 216, Finance Building
  Harrisburg, PA 17120

As the regional Folk Arts Partner, Erie Arts and Culture provides personalized assistance for artists interested in the Apprenticeship grant program. For help with your application, please contact Kelly Armor at kelly@erieartsandculture.org. For additional information, you can also reach out to Dana Payne, Director-DEI Initiatives, Diverse Cultures & Heritage at (717) 525-5544 or danpayne@pa.gov.