A time-honored method by which an individual learns skills, techniques and artistry under the guidance of a recognized master.

Master artists are individuals recognized within their communities as exemplary practitioners of traditional art forms. Apprentices - individuals who learn under the guidance of master artists - typically have prior experience in the traditional art form, significant promise, and a serious long-term commitment to practicing the art.

One of the goals of the Apprenticeship 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.

Experience the traditions of MCC Apprenticeship winners:

Music & Song
Chinese guzheng playing
Carnatic music on violin
Armenian oud playing
Cape Breton fiddle style
Irish sean nos singing
County Clare fiddle style
Chinese guzheng
Chinese gu-qin
Portuguese Fado

Craft
Puerto Rican vejigante mask making
Luthier: bouzouki making
Bladesmithing: Damascus steel
Nantucket Lightship basketry
Russian iconography
Wooden boat building (schooner)
Wooden boat building (skiff)
Chinese seal carving
Wampanoag regalia making
Turkish ebru (marbled paper)
Armenian Marash embroidery

Dance
Irish dance
Bharatanatyam dance
Jazz tap dance
Albanian folk dance

Apprenticeships are awarded every other year to a limited number of master artists. Priority is given to rare or endangered traditions. Funds (up to $6,000 per apprenticeship) are provided to compensate the master artist for teaching time. However, supplies, materials, and travel expenses may also be included in the application.

These Traditional Arts Apprenticeships are funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.