Mentoring Project Grants are designed to support the transmission of Wyoming’s finest Folk and Traditional 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.
Jack Mease discusses the finer points of rawhide braiding with a student.
The Wyoming Arts Council introduced the Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Program 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.
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 four projects will be selected for funding at $3,000 each ($2,300 for the master artist’s honorarium and $700 for supplies and travel). All project costs over $3,000 must be paid by the award recipient.
See below for deadlines and application link.
Review a printable copy of the application to prepare.
Accommodations can be made for applicants with limited access to a computer or internet.
Applications are reviewed and evaluated by a panel of cultural specialists, folklorists, artists and WAC board members using the following criteria:
The full WAC board reviews the panel recommendations and makes the final selection of funded projects. Applicants are notified in December of the WAC Board’s decisions.
For more information about Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grants please contact the Wyoming Arts Council Folk Arts Program 307-777-7721 or email joshua.chrysler@wyo.gov.
Deadline: May 1, 2019
Timeline: Takes place between July 1 - June 30, 2020
Amount: $3,000 ($2,300 for master honorarium and $700 for materials and/or travel)
Match Requirements: none - all project costs over $3,000 must be paid by the grant recipient.
Contact: Josh Chrysler
Apply Here