Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grants
Mentoring Project Grants are designed to support the transmission of Wyoming’s finest Traditional and Folk skills through the natural process of in-person, hands-on instruction.
Traditional Blacksmithing Master Artist David Osmundsen and Apprentice Lauren Phillips
Grant Opens: February 1, 2027
Grant Closes: Mar 29, 2027
Preserving Wyoming’s Cultural Heritage
The Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grant supports the preservation and transmission of Wyoming’s rich folk and traditional art forms. Mentor artists partner with apprentices to teach time-honored skills through in-person, hands-on instruction, helping keep these cultural traditions alive in Wyoming communities.
Mentoring Project Grants are designed to support the transmission of Wyoming’s finest Folk and Traditional Arts and skills through the natural process of in-person, hands-on instruction. A mentor artist selects a worthy apprentice to mentor over time in order to advance the skills of the apprentice in their traditional art form or skill.
Mentor and Apprentice apply together and provide information about the art form, their skill level, a project outline and work samples. The mentorship must take place between July 1 and June 30 and projects must be no shorter than six months.
Up to five projects will be selected for funding at $5,000 each ($4000 for the mentor artist’s honorarium and $1000 for supplies and travel). All project costs over $5,000 must be paid by the award recipients.
This grant program is designed to assist masters of folk and traditional arts in passing on their knowledge to eager apprentices from their community through the natural process of in-person, hands-on instruction.
Examples of eligible art forms practiced in Wyoming include, but are not limited to: saddlemaking, cowboy poetry, beading and quill work, quilting, rawhide braiding, pow wow songs and dances, German-Russian Dutch Hop, Mexican ballet folklorico, wood carving, rug braiding, fly tying, taxidermy, and more. Special consideration may be given to first time applicants, endangered art forms, geographic location, or artistic discipline.
Mentor artist and apprentice apply together and include information about the art form, their skill level, a project outline and work samples..
Grant Guidelines
- Open to Wyoming-based mentor artists and apprentices sharing a common cultural group and the art form must reflect the aesthetics of the shared group. In-family mentorships are allowed.
- Up to five mentorships are awarded annually at $5,000 each
- $4,000 for mentor artist honorarium
- $1,000 for travel and supplies
- Mentor and apprentice must apply together with a project outline and work samples
- Artists may participate in only one Mentoring Project each year
- Projects must last a minimum of six months and occur between July 1–June 30
- All applications are evaluated by a panel of folklorists, artists, and cultural specialists
- Special consideration may be given to endangered traditions, new applicants, or rural/underrepresented communities
- Apprentices must be Wyoming residents for at least two years prior to application
- Apprentices should have some prior experience with the art form at the time of the application
- Apprentices must demonstrate a serious long-term commitment to continuing the art form
- The Wyoming Arts Council board reviews the panel recommendations and makes the final selection of funded projects.
Not eligible
- The work of contemporary studio artists or re-creations of historic repertoires or antiques
- Academic research or formal study toward an academic or professional degree
- Projects less than six (6) months
- Workshops or conferences
Before applying, all organizations must review the Wyoming Arts Council’s Grant Guidelines to ensure compliance and understand the application process.
How to Apply
The FY28 application will open on February 1, 2027 and close on March 29, 2027.
Timeline
- Application Open: February 1, 207
- Application Close: March 29, 202&
- Awards Announced: June
- Project Period: July 1 – June 30
Application Criteria
Applications are reviewed and evaluated by a panel of cultural specialists, folklorists, artists and Wyoming Arts Council board members using the following criteria:
- Quality of the work as demonstrated by the support materials of both the mentor and the apprentice.
- How the art form and artists fit within the definition of folk and traditional art.
Priority may be given to projects that involve endangered traditions and/or art forms. - Commitment of the apprentice to continuing the traditional skills learned.
- Feasibility of the proposed work plan.
Application Resources
Download a printable copy of the application
Accommodations are available for applicants with limited internet or computer access.
Accessing Your Grant Application or Final Report
For a new grant application or to access your final report for projects taking place from 7/1/21 to the current fiscal year:
The Wyoming Arts Council introduced the Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grants in 2005. Funds originally came from a National Endowment for the Arts Infrastructure grant provided to the Wyoming Arts Council’s Arts Access Grant Program. Current funding is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts through the Folk Arts Partnership grant.
Contact
For more information about Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grants please contact the Wyoming Arts Council Folk Arts Program at 307-256-2010 or email joshua.chrysler@wyo.gov.
Previously Funded Folk Art Mentorship Recipients
2027
- Basketry Mentor Artist Adrianna Hinds Apprentice Anabelle Hinds
- Bladesmithing Mentor Artist Chris Amos Apprentice Jolene Velarde (Acoma Pueblo/Eastern Shoshone)
- Regalia Beadwork Mentor Artist DaleRae Green (Eastern Shoshone/Gros Ventre) Apprentice Dionne Ferris (Eastern Shoshone/Yankton Sioux)
- Swedish Nålbinding Mentor Artist Jane Nordgren Hollon Apprentice Amy HollonScottish Highland Bagpipes Mentor Artist Melissa L. Bautz Apprentices Elisabetha Olsson and Juliet Whitmore
- Rawhide Drum Making Mentor Artist Salem Ynostrosa (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice Juwan Willow (Northern Arapaho)
- Beadwork Mentor Artist Vicki Giles (Eastern Shoshone) Apprentice Darcia Pingree (Eastern Shoshone)
2026
- Mexican Ballet Folklorico Mentor Artist: Alyssa Martinez Apprentice: Idalis Ramirez Higginbottom
- Beadwork Mentor Artist: Charles Dewey (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice: TayaAvy Dixey (Eastern Shoshone/Northern Arapaho/Shoshone-Bannock/Cree)
- Rawhide Braiding Mentor Artist: Dan Ames Apprentice: Jared Martin
- Fly Rod Making Mentor Artist: Joey Puettman Apprentice: Josh Lawrence
- Traditional Regalia and Ceremonial Accessories Making Mentor Artist: Rana Mandan (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice: Jenea Mandan (Northern Arapaho)
- Mexican Ballet Folklorico Mentor Artist: Rosaura Barrera Apprentice: Maria Fernanda Barrera
2025
- Peruvian Ballet Folklorico Mentor Artist: Nicole Cordova Apprentice: Valeriana Gracia
- Beadwork Mentor Artist: Mikala SunRhodes-Harry (Northern Arapaho/Jemez Pueblo) Apprentice: Mikaylee Oldcoyote (Northern Arapaho/Jemez Pueblo/Crow)
- Swedish Dalmåling and Norwegian Rosemaling Mentor Artist: Lisa Sherrodd Apprentice: Paige Gustafson
- Star Quilt Making Mentor Artist: Cherokee Brown (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice: Donna Gambler (Northern Arapaho)
- Hoop Dancing Mentor Artist: Jasmine Pickner-Bell (Crow Creek Dakota Sioux) Apprentice: Aliyana Joyresa Bell (Crow Creek Dakota Sioux/Northern Arapaho/Oglala Lakota)
- Western Leatherwork Mentor Artist: Mark Barcus Apprentice: Cayle Kremer
2024
- Prairie Chicken Dance Regalia Making Mentor Artist: Kalen SunRhodes (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice: Colton SunRhodes (Northern Arapaho)
- Western Leatherwork Mentor Artist: Amanda Fraker Apprentice: Ryelene Mespelt
- Northern Arapaho Drum Making Mentor Artist: Aloysious (Luke) Bell, Jr. (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice: Kane BigLake (Northern Arapaho)
- Rawhide Braiding Mentor Artist: Justine Nelson-Graham Apprentice: Carson Martinson
- Western Saddlemaking Mentor Artist: John Blair Apprentice: Matt Avery
2023
- Wool Saddle Pad Making Mentor Artist: Anita Thatcher Apprentice: Franki Scott Ceremonial
- Rawhide Rattle Making Mentor Artist: Darrell Lonebear, Sr. (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice: Darrell Lonebear, Jr. (Northern Arapaho)
- Leatherwork Mentor Artist: Eric Hannig (Navajo) Apprentice: Adonis Sheeley
- Hoop Dancing Mentor Artist: Jasmine Pickner Bell (Crow Creek Dakota Sioux) Apprentice: Aloysia Bell (Northern Arapaho/Crow Creek Dakota Sioux)
- Fully Beaded Cradleboard Making Mentor Artist: Marcus Dewey (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice: Veronica Miller (Northern Arapaho)
2022
- Eagle Feather Fan Making Mentor Artist: Vicki Engavo (Eastern Shoshone) Apprentice: Becky Bercier (Turtle Mountain Chippewa)
- Big Horn Ram’s Horn Bow Making Mentor Artist: Rich Singer (Crow) Apprentice: Winslow Friday (Northern Arapaho)
- Traditional Plains Indian Women’s Dress Making Mentor Artist: Gloria Runs Close to Lodge-Goggles (Oglala Lakota) Apprentice: Jenn Runs Close to Lodge (Oglala Lakota)
- Western Saddlemaking Mentor Artist: Steve Mecum Apprentice: Misty Corlett Traditional Jemez Pueblo Pottery Mentor Artist: Rose Pecos-SunRhodes (Jemez Pueblo) Apprentice: Jayce OldCoyote (Jemez Pueblo/Northern Arapaho/Crow)
- Bit and Spur Making Mentor Artist: Ernie Marsh Apprentice: Amy Erickson
- Lazy-stitch Style Beadwork Mentor Artist: Charles Dewey (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice: Lynelle Shakespeare (Northern Arapaho)
- Traditional Blacksmithing Mentor Artist: David Osmundsen Apprentice: Lauren Phillips
- Western Saddlemaking Mentor Artist: John Blair Apprentice: Matt Avery
- Elk Teeth Trade-Cloth Dress Making Mentor Artist: Renee’ Enos-Reed (Eastern Shoshone) Apprentice: DaleRae Green (Eastern Shoshone)
- Mariachi Music Mentor Artist: Loree Sanchez Apprentice: Estela Torres Guernsey
- Leather Carving Mentor Artist: Robert Poff Apprentice: Marta Maulik
- Bladesmithing and Damascus Steel Mentor Artist: Adam DesRosiers Apprentice: Kevin Willey
2021
- Eastern Shoshone Cradleboard Making Mentor Artist: Raphaella Stump Apprentice: Ralphalita Stump
- Traditional Bladesmithing Mentor Artist: Audra Draper Apprentice: Stan Castagno
- Wool Saddle Pad Weaving Mentor Artist: Anita Thatcher Apprentices: Annalissa Purdum & Soleiana Abernathy
- Quilting Mentor Artist: Yong Hui Torske Apprentice: Jill Wright
2020
- Arapaho Warshirt making and beadwork Mentor Artist: Marcus Dewey Apprentice: James Dewey Arapaho
- Sweat Lodge songs Mentor Artist: Darrell Lone Bear, Sr Apprentice: Koleton Lone Bear
- Western Saddlemaking Mentor Artist: Andy Stevens Apprentice: Dusty Smith
- Rawhide braiding Mentor Artist: Jack Mease Apprentice: Soleiana Abernathy
2018
- Luthiery (stringed instrument making) Master Artist: Daniel Roberts Apprentice: Miss V
- Blacksmithing Master Artist: David Osmundsen Apprentice: Michael Landsiedel
- Eastern Shoshone Dollmaking Master Artist: Ralphaelita Stump Apprentice: Raphaella Stump
- Arapaho Hand Drum Making Master Artist: Darrell Lone Bear, Sr Apprentice: Koleton Lone Bear
2017
- Eastern Shoshone Drum Keeper Master Artist: Wayland Bonatsie Apprentice: Quinlin Hernandez
- Northern Cheyenne-style Beadwork Master Artist: Marcus Dewey Apprentice: Carrie White Antelope
- Horsehair Hitching Master Artist: Leane Linnell Apprentice: Brook Miller
2016
- Northern Arapaho Sweat Lodge Songs Master Artist: Darrell Lone Bear, Sr Apprentice: Tyson Lone Bear
- Bighorn Sheep Ram Bow Master Artist: Tom Lucas Apprentice: Travis Lucas
- California-style Bit and Spurs Master Artist: Ernie Marsh Apprentice: James Gullion
- Braided Rawhide Horse Gear Master Artist: Jessie Smith Apprentice: Jeremy Madole
2015
- Cowboy Leatherwork Master Artist: Niki DeLancy Apprentice: McKenzi Digby
- Teepee bags/panniers Master Artist: Marcus Dewey Apprentice: Charles Dewey
- Western Leatherwork Master Artist: Von Ringler Apprentice: Alex Whistler
2014
- Old-style Intertribal songs Master Artist: Patrick Iron Cloud, Sr. Apprentice: Norman and Sam Iron Cloud
- Arapaho hand drum making Master Artist: Darrell Lone Bear, Sr. Apprentice: Tyson Lone Bear
- Rawhide braiding Master Artist: Jack Mease Apprentice: Sally Hovendick
- Rug braiding Master Artist: Norma M. Sturges Apprentice: Ellen Sue Blakey
2013
- Saddle building Master Artist: Keith Duncan Apprentice: Kurt Olson
- Rug braiding Master Artist: Norma M. Sturges Apprentice: Ellen Sue Blakey
- Rawhide making and braiding Master Artist: Nate Wald Apprentice: Caleb French
- Old-time Fiddling Master Artist: Kelly Wells Apprentice: Kayla Palmer
2012
- Warrior shirt Master Artist: Elizabeth Jane Brown Apprentice: Danielle Brown
- Beaded leggings Master Artist: Marcus Dewey Apprentice: Veronica Miller
- Rams horn bow Master Artist: Tom Lucas Apprentice: Richard Singer
- Arapaho beaded buckskin dress Master Artist: Annie Sage Apprentice: Janelle Denny
- E Shoshone Woman’s traditional saddle Master Artist: Joanne Seesequasis Apprentice: Larry McAdams
2011
- Eastern Shoshone woman’s saddle Master Artist: Charlotte Alley Apprentice: Amanda Alley
- Jewish and Israeli dance Master Artist: Bea Montross Apprentice: Mary Weinstein
- Horsehair hitching Master Artist: Richard Gould Apprentice: Leane Linnell
- Arapaho and Lakota women’s singing Master Artist: Sandra Iron Cloud Apprentice: Rebecca Iron Cloud
- Rawhide and leather braiding Master Artist: Jack Mease Apprentice: Mila Ready
2010
- Eastern Shoshone cradleboards Master Artist: Charlotte Alley Apprentice: Lynelle Shakespeare
- Shoshone Drum making and playing Master Artist: Wayland Bonatsie Apprentice: Quinlin Hernandez
- Western saddle tree making Master Artist: G. K. Fraker Apprentice: Steve Dabbs
- Plains Indian parfleche Master Artist: Gloria Goggles Apprentice: Jennifer Runs Close to Lodge
- Rawhide braiding Master Artist: Jack Mease Apprentice: Brenda Hovendick
2009
- Saddle building Master Artist: Don Butler Apprentice: Tom Stevie
- Native American willow back rest Master Artist: William Chippewa Apprentice: Patrick Thayer
- Tatting Master Artist: Mary Maynard Apprentice: Molly Moyer
- Sheep to shawl Master Artist: Avis Richardson Group apprentice
- Arapaho beaded buckskin dress Master Artist: Annin Soldier Wolf Apprentice: Cathi Soldier Wolf
2008
- Round dance songs Master Artist: Sandra Iron Cloud Apprentice: Norman & Sam Iron Cloud
- Tatting Master Artist: Mary Maynard Apprentice: Molly Moyer
- Rawhide braiding Master Artist: Jack Mease Apprentice: Michael Stewart
- Arapaho women’s traditional regalia Master Artist: Annie Sage Apprentice: Veronica Miller
- Arapaho crafts Master Artist: Annin Soldier Wolf Apprentice: Hista and Echo Soldier Wolf
- Old-time fiddling Master Artist: Kelly Wells Apprentice: Tally Wells
2007
- War shields Master Artist: William Chippewa Apprentice: Patrick Thayer
- Men’s beaded vests Master Artist: Cleo Goggles Apprentice: Linda Goggles
- Tatting & crochet Master Artist: Mary Maynard Apprentice: Isobel Nichols
- Rawhide braiding Master Artist: Jack Mease Apprentice: Mike Alley
- Basket weaving & furniture caning Master Artist: Sally O’Connor Apprentice: Maria Foster
- Shoshone saddle trappings Master Artist: Reba Jo Teran Apprentice: Georgietta Teran-Acebo
2006
- Loom weaving Master Artist: Gerald Curcio Apprentice: Judith Harvey
- Performance knives Master Artist: Ed Fowler Apprentice: Tena Osborne
- Cowboy music Master Artist: Kevin McNiven Apprentice: Terrell and TeAnna McNiven
- Old-time fiddling Master Artist: Kelly Wells Apprentice: Coletta Maier
2005
- Shoshone saddles Master Artist: William Chippewa Apprentice: Reba Teran
- Shoshone dolls Master Artist: Manfred Guina Apprentice: Reba Teran
- Shoshone cradleboards Master Artist: Beatrice Haukaas Apprentice: Georgietta Teran
