Program Guidelines - FY 2011
Program Overview
The Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program supports the teaching/learning
relationship between craftspeople, musicians, dancers, and other
traditional artists, and the qualified apprentices who want to study
with them. The program pairs an experienced master artist with an
apprentice in a 9-month long, one-on-one learning experience that
helps ensure the continued vitality of a traditional art form. Apprentices
learn directly by observing and imitating, and by processing the
critique of the master artist. The program is designed to fund more
than just lessons; it is intended to support a special, mentoring
relationship between master artist and apprentice. It does not fund
an ongoing class or school.
Master artists have achieved a high level of skill
in a particular traditional art form, are regarded as masters by their
peers, and have learned and developed their skills within a traditional
context. Apprentices demonstrate interest and competency
in the art form prior to the apprenticeship, show serious commitment to
learning the nuances of the tradition, and are committed to carrying the
tradition on into the future.
Traditional arts are part of the cultural heritage of a group of people whose members share a common ethnic heritage, language, religion, occupation, or geographic region. These artistic traditions are passed down through generations and reflect the values of their shared culture. Skills are typically learned directly through observation and imitation from someone steeped in the tradition, rather than through classes, books, or other means of institutional instruction.
The MCC welcomes applications for apprenticeships in all forms of traditional arts–traditional music and instrument making, sacred and secular crafts, occupational traditions, folk and ethnic dance, and traditional arts associated with annual celebrations.
One of the goals of the program is to help communities preserve their own cultural heritage. The strongest applications tend to be those that include the pairing of masters and apprentices who are members of the same ethnic, religious, or occupational group. A master artist and an apprentice must apply together.
Apprenticeships will be awarded every other year to support the teaching of traditional arts specific to a particular folk group or ethnic community. Funds (ranging up to $6,000 per apprenticeship) are intended to compensate the master artist for teaching time. However, supplies, materials, and travel expenses may also be included in the application.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply as a master artist, an individual must be 18 years or older.
Please note that both the master artist and the apprentice must be legal
residents of Massachusetts. MCC board members, staff, and their immediate
family members are ineligible.
Grant recipients are eligible to reapply after skipping one application
cycle (i.e., once every four years).
Training Period
The apprenticeship will be conducted for 9 months and must
take place between September 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011.
The master artist is responsible for monitoring the apprentice's
progress as outlined in the application work plan. During the apprenticeship
period, a site visit will be made by the Folk Arts & Heritage
Program Manager or another folklorist to document the teaching/learning
process. Photographs of the session may be taken and tape-recorded
interviews may be conducted.
Public Event Requirement
The master artist and apprentice are expected to give a joint community
presentation near the end of the apprenticeship period. Examples include
performing at a public event, offering a master class, holding an open
studio, or exhibiting at a local library or gallery. If you have questions
about this requirement, contact Program Manager Maggie Holtzberg.
Review Criteria
An independent panel of experts in traditional arts will use the following
criteria to evaluate applications on a 100-point scale:
- Artistic quality of the master’s work according to the standards of
the traditional community. (Is the master artist recognized within the
traditional community as an exemplary practitioner? Does he/she have
sufficient stature within the community to merit passing on this art
form?) 20 points
- Traditional (as opposed to commercial or popular) nature of the proposed
art form.15 points
- Skill and commitment of the apprentice. (Does the apprentice have
sufficient skill to benefit from working with the master? Is the apprentice
dedicated to continuing and disseminating the tradition?) 20
points
- Feasibility of work plan. (Does the plan provide sufficient and well
thought-out interaction to achieve meaningful results?) 15 points
- Appropriateness of match between master/apprentice (Are the individuals
well-matched for successful transference of the art form?) 15
points
- Potential impact of the apprenticeship on the continued vitality
of the tradition. 15 points
Legal and Other Requirements
ACCESS POLICY
The MCC is committed to access not only as a matter of law, but also as
a policy designed to encourage the participation of all segments of the
Commonwealth's population in MCC-funded programs. The Massachusetts Office
of Diversity and Equal Opportunity currently designates the following
as underserved: African Americans, Asian Americans, Latin Americans, Native
Americans, people with disabilities, Vietnam-era veterans, and women.
The MCC also considers low-income communities, rural populations, and
citizens over 65 years old as underserved. The MCC does not discriminate
on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, religion, color, or disability.
Minorities and other affirmative action populations are encouraged to
apply.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
To ensure that all MCC review panels are free from conflicts of interest
and the appearance of such conflicts, panelists are required to disclose
any current or prospective affiliations they or their immediate family
members have with an actual or potential applicant. "Affiliations"
applies to employment, board memberships, independent contractual relationships,
advisory or policy relationships, substantial contributor relationships,
or other financial relationships. In addition, panelists are required
to disclose any past or current adversarial relationships with actual
or potential applicants. MCC board members are not permitted to participate
in discussions or votes relating to any applicant with whom they have
an affiliation or relating to any applicants competing with that applicant.
RECONSIDERATION POLICY
An applicant may request reconsideration of an MCC decision on an application
if the applicant can demonstrate that the MCC failed to follow published
application and review procedures. Dissatisfaction with the results of
a review is not sufficient reason for an appeal. The first step in the
process is to consult with the appropriate program staff member to review
the considerations that went into the MCC's decision. If the applicant
wishes to pursue an appeal, a written request must be sent to the MCC's
Executive Director within 30 days of the date of notification of the decision.
Such requests will be reviewed by the board no earlier than its next scheduled
meeting.
Application Process
All items are required for an application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will affect the outcome of an application. Email and faxed materials are not acceptable.
- Create
an individual profile to be able to access the online application.
Because master artists are considered the applicant in this process,
they must complete this step. Once the profile has been created,
master artists may then choose to share their username/password
with their apprentices so they can assist in completing the online
forms.
(Please note: Usernames/Passwords used for other MCC online
applications will not work for this grant program.)
- Complete the online
application forms.
(Be sure to click
the "final submission" button of the online application by the
deadline – April 20, 2010. The electronic component
of your application will then be automatically received by the
MCC.)
- Mail or hand deliver the following support materials to the MCC, by the deadline - April 20, 2010
____ Letter of Support for Master Artist
Please submit one letter of support for the master artist. The letter of support should be written by a practicing peer and/or member of the community knowledgeable about your traditional art explaining why you qualify as a maser artist. The letter should address where your work stands within the tradition and what experience you have had in successfully passing on the art on to others.
____ Letter of Support for Apprentice
Please submit one letter of support for the apprentice. The letter of support should be written by someone knowledgeable about the traditional art you wish to study. The letter should address what experience you already have in the traditional art, your potential for learning one on one, and any other details regarding your potential as an apprentice to this particular master artist.
____ Master Artist and Apprentice Work Samples
Work samples should demonstrate artistic quality and technical ability. Both the master artist and the apprentice must submit samples of their own work. This enables the selection panel to evaluate the artistic quality for both applicants. Panelists may review some or all of submitted material. Work samples that do not adhere to the guidelines may not be reviewed:
Submit five to ten images of your work -- digital images on CD are preferred.
If possible, include an image that shows the place in which your work is created. Be sure to provide details for each of these images in the appropriate form of the online application. In addition, up to three pieces of actual work may be submitted for review.
Submit two copies of one sound recording (CD, DVD). Label each item with applicant names, participants, titles, dates, and locations. Indicate the important sections for review (list track numbers or cue tapes to starting point).
Submit two copies of one DVD that best demonstrates the quality of your work. Label the DVD with title, length of work, applicant names, participants, dates, and locations. Indicate track number(s) to preferred starting point(s).
Address mail to:
Maggie Holtzberg
Program Manager, Folk Arts and Heritage
Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program
Massachusetts Cultural Council
10 St. James Avenue, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02116
The electronic submission of all
the application pages, and the mailing or hand delivery of the
materials listed above constitutes the final application.
Proceed to the Online Application
