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Michigan Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program Like its natural resources, Michigan's cultural traditions are a treasured resource to be nurtured for future generations. The Michigan Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program encourages cultural preservation, pride, and respect through grants of $2,000.00 made to master artists to teach their skills, techniques, and knowledge to others in their communities. The intent of this program is to recognize those master artists who maintain their traditions with excellence and according to the needs and aesthetics of their communities and to encourage and facilitate the learning and transmission of valued traditions. What is an apprenticeship? An apprenticeship is a designated period of one-on-one training during which a student (the apprentice) learns a tradition through practical, hands-on experience under the guidance and instruction of a respected, accomplished traditional artist (the master). Apprenticeships usually last seven months, from February - August. [Click here to see list and information of participants] Who is eligible to apply? Apprenticeships may incorporate a wide range of ethnic, regional, and occupational traditions. Both master artist and apprentice should be residents of Michigan. Apprentices should have some experience in the tradition; they should not be beginners. Master artists should be among the finest practitioners of the tradition within their community. Although cross-cultural apprenticeships are possible, review panels generally give preference to funding apprenticeships where both the master and the student are from the same cultural group or community. Applicants are eligible to be awarded for up to two awards in a three-year period. How can I apply? Applicants must complete an MTAAP form including the portion to be filled out by the master artist and a separate portion to be filled out by the apprentice(s). The application package must also include samples of the master and apprentice's work; depending on the type of tradition, this might be photographs, objects, and/or audio tapes of performances. Applicants are encouraged to contact the MTAAP Coordinator [see contact info below] to discuss the application prior to submitting it. Applications, including supporting materials must be hand-delivered or postmarked by December 1 each year. [Click here for a MTAAP application form] [Click here for a MTAAP application form (word version)] Who selects the awardees and what do they look for? A panel of invited specialists reviews the applications in early January. They look for strong evidence of excellence of mastery of art form (including recognition of the artist within his/her community), a description of the tradition and whether the cultural feature in question is traditional, evidence of the commitment of the master artist and apprentice to the apprenticeship, appropriateness of the plan of work, and what the prospective apprentice's motivations and intentions are in undertaking this joint effort. Review panel meetings are open to the public. Click here to view the list of Review Panelists When are the awards given? Announcements of the awardees are made in February. All apprenticeships must be completed by August 30 of the year in which they were awarded. For more information about the Michigan Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program. Contact LuAnne Kozma, by phone (517-353-5526 or 517-355-2370), by email (kozma@msu.edu), or write:
The Michigan Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program is administered by the Michigan State University Museum's Michigan Traditional Arts Program. It was established with the support of the National Endowment for the Arts and is sustained through a partnership with the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. Review Panelists List Brassieur, Ray, 1992, 1991, 1990 Cadaval, Olivia, 1992 Cardona, Ana, 2003 Chiarappa, Michael, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999 Church, William, 1989, 1988 Cicala, Alan, 1989, 1988 Crampton, Anna, 1994, 1993, 1992 Everts, Dana, 1995, 1994, 1993 Galvan, Deborah, 2002, 2001, 2000 Gibson, Gloria, 1988 Gilmore, Janet, 1992 Johnson, William, 2009 Julian, Sue, 1989 Kalumbu, Isaac, 2003, 2002, 2001 Keyes, Cheryl, 1993 Kienitz, Betty, 1992 Kozma, LuAnne, 1985 Langlois, Janet, 1988 Largey, Michael, 1997, 1996, 1995 Livengood, Mark, 2004 Lloyd, Tim, 1994, 1993, 1992 Long, Lucy, 2009, 1991, 1990, 1989 March, Richard, 1990, 1989, 1988 Martin, Shannon, 2008, 2007, 2006 May-Machunda, Phyllis, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989 Melendez, Theresa, 2006, 2005, 2004 Nusbaum, Phil, 1992, 1991 Olson, Ruth, 2003, 2002 Plamondon, Larry, 2005, 2004, 2003 Pollard, Deborah Smith, 1999, 1998, 1997 Rhoades, Loretta, 1993 Roth, Erin, 2003 Shen, Sin Yan, 1993 Singer, Elliott, 1985 Skillman, Amy, 1998, 1997, 1996 Sommers, Laurie K., 2006, 2000, 1999, 1998, Stephens, Ronald, 2002, 2001, 2000 Stillman, Amy, 2008 Syndergaard, Larry, 2007, 2006, 2005 Teske, Bob, 1995, 1994, 1993 VanDeCar, Kathy, 1997, 1996, 1995 Wabanimkee, Minnie, 1999, 1998 White, Marilyn, 1996, 1995, 1994 Wilcox, Candy Wesaw, 1991, 1990 Williams, Steve, 2009, 2008, 2007 back © 2009 Michigan State University |