Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grants

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.

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.

Mentoring Project Grant Description

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.

Application Information

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.

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 not be younger than 18 years of age.
• 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 December of the WAC Board’s decisions.

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CONTACT INFORMATION

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.