Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grants
The Wyoming Arts Council introduced the Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grants in 2005 as part of its on-going effort to increase support and recognition of Wyoming’s rich cultural arts and traditions. 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.
About the Folk Art Mentoring Project Grant Program
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 master 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.
Kalen SunRhodes (Northern Arapaho), teaching Colton SunRhodes (Northern Arapaho), both of Ethete, the art of Prairie Chicken Dance Regalia Making.
Master 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 master artist’s honorarium and $1000 for supplies and travel). All project costs over $5,000 must be paid by the award recipient.
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.
FY25 Folk Art Mentoring Project Grant Info
FY25 Application Window: February 15 – April 15, 2024
Click here for the online application:
Apply for the Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Projects Grant HereDownload a printable copy of the application to prepare here.
Accommodations can be made for applicants with limited access to a computer or internet.
Requirements:
- Applicants must share a common cultural group and the art form must reflect the aesthetics of the shared group. In-family mentorships are allowed.
- Master and apprentice must apply together.
- Artists may participate in only one Mentoring Project each year.
- 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.
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.
Application Evaluation and Selection
Applications are reviewed and evaluated by a panel of cultural specialists, folklorists, artists and WAC board members using the following criteria:
- Quality of the work as demonstrated by the support materials of both the master 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.
The full WAC board reviews the panel recommendations and makes the final selection of funded projects. Applicants are notified in June of the Art Council Board decisions.
Previously Funded Folk Art Mentorship Recipients
2024
Prairie Chicken Dance Regalia Making Master Artist: Kalen SunRhodes (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice: Colton SunRhodes (Northern Arapaho)
Western Leatherwork Master Artist: Amanda Fraker Apprentice: Ryelene Mespelt
Northern Arapaho Drum Making Master Artist: Aloysious (Luke) Bell, Jr. (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice: Kane BigLake (Northern Arapaho)
Rawhide Braiding Master Artist: Justine Nelson-Graham Apprentice: Carson Martinson
Western Saddlemaking Master Artist: John Blair Apprentice: Matt Avery
2023
Wool Saddle Pad Making Master Artist: Anita Thatcher Apprentice: Franki Scott
Ceremonial Rawhide Rattle Making Master Artist: Darrell Lonebear, Sr (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice: Darrell Lonebear, Jr (Northern Arapaho)
Leatherwork Master Artist: Eric Hannig (Navajo) Apprentice: Adonis Sheeley
Hoop Dancing Master Artist: Jasmine Pickner Bell (Crow Creek Dakota Sioux) Apprentice: Aloysia Bell (Northern Arapaho/Crow Creek Dakota Sioux)
Fully Beaded Cradleboard Making Master Artist: Marcus Dewey (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice: Veronica Miller (Northern Arapaho)
2022
Eagle Feather Fan Making Master Artist: Vicki Engavo (Eastern Shoshone) Apprentice: Becky Bercier (Turtle Mountain Chippewa)
Big Horn Ram’s Horn Bow Making Master Artist: Rich Singer (Crow) Apprentice: Winslow Friday (Northern Arapaho)
Traditional Plains Indian Women’s Dress Making Master Artist: Gloria Runs Close to Lodge-Goggles (Oglala Lakota) Apprentice: Jenn Runs Close to Lodge (Oglala Lakota)
Western Saddlemaking Master Artist: Steve Mecum Apprentice: Misty Corlett
Traditional Jemez Pueblo Pottery Master Artist: Rose Pecos-SunRhodes (Jemez Pueblo) Apprentice: Jayce OldCoyote (Jemez Pueblo/Northern Arapaho/Crow)
Bit and Spur Making Master Artist: Ernie Marsh Apprentice: Amy Erickson
Lazy-stitch Style Beadwork Master Artist: Charles Dewey (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice: Lynelle Shakespeare (Northern Arapaho)
Traditional Blacksmithing Master Artist: David Osmundsen Apprentice: Lauren Phillips
Western Saddlemaking Master Artist: John Blair Apprentice: Matt Avery
Elk Teeth Trade-Cloth Dress Making Master Artist: Renee’ Enos-Reed (Eastern Shoshone) Apprentice: DaleRae Green (Eastern Shoshone)
Mariachi Music Master Artist: Loree Sanchez Apprentice: Estela Torres Guernsey
Leather Carving Master Artist: Robert Poff Apprentice: Marta Maulik
Bladesmithing and Damascus Steel Master Artist: Adam DesRosiers Apprentice: Kevin Willey
2021
Eastern Shoshone Cradleboard Making Master Artist: Raphaella Stump Apprentice: Ralphalita Stump
Traditional Bladesmithing Master Artist: Audra Draper Apprentice: Stan Castagno
Wool Saddle Pad Weaving Master Artist: Anita Thatcher Apprentices: Annalissa Purdum & Soleiana Abernathy
Quilting Master Artist: Yong Hui Torske Apprentice: Jill Wright
2020
Arapaho Warshirt making and beadwork Master Artist: Marcus Dewey Apprentice: James Dewey
Arapaho Sweat Lodge songs Master Artist: Darrell Lone Bear, Sr Apprentice: Koleton Lone Bear
Western Saddlemaking Master Artist: Andy Stevens Apprentice: Dusty Smith
Rawhide braiding Master 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
Contact Information
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.
Grant Information
Timeline: Less than 6 months
Amount: $5,000 ($4,000 for mentor artist honorarium and $1000 for materials and/or travel)
Contact: Josh Chrysler
