The Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) is pleased to announce that applications are open for 2020-2021 Folklife Apprenticeship Grants, which fund the teaching of folklife skills by a master to a learner artist. Each grant is $5,000, with $4,000 going to the master and $1,000 to the learner. Folklife skills may include any activities associated with living cultural traditions handed down by example or word of mouth. Common examples include but are not limited to traditional music, dance, storytelling, fiber art, craft, food and occupational practices. Read the Folklife Apprenticeship Grant guidelines and evaluation criteria here.
Applications are due Sunday, March 1, 2020. Begin an application using MSAC’s application system, SmartSimple. Log in to SmartSimple or create a free account at marylandarts.smartsimple.com. Applicants should register using the “Independent Artist” category.
Maryland Traditions, the state folklife program housed at MSAC, has given Folklife Apprenticeship grants annually since 2004. Applications are accepted in winter, with awards given the following summer. Folklife Apprenticeships are distinct from registered apprenticeships offered through the Maryland Apprenticeship Training Program (MATP), which supports workforce development. For more information on MATP, visit https://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/appr/.
For technical assistance on Folklife Apprenticeships, contact Grants Management Associate Tammy Oppel at tammy.oppel@maryland.gov or 410.767.8851. For content or programmatic assistance on Folklife Apprenticeships, contact State Folklorist Chad Buterbaugh at chad.buterbaugh@maryland.gov or 410.767.6450.