Ohio Arts Council Offers Traditional Arts Apprenticeships
by Jami Goldstein
Would you like to learn from an Ohio traditional master traditional craftsperson, musician, singer, dancer or storyteller? Are you a locally respected traditional artist who would like to pass on your artistic knowledge and abilities? If so, the Ohio Arts Council can help support your work through a Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grant.
Grants of as much as $2,500 are awarded to pairs of individuals—a master artist/teacher and an apprentice. In some cases a master may work with more than one apprentice at a time. Deadline to submit grant applications is July 1, 2004. Apprenticeships can begin in November and must be completed by June 2005. It is strongly suggested that applicants submit a draft application by June 1, 2004.
Traditional artists practice an art form that has grown out of their culture, one that is recognized within their ethnic, occupational or regional group, or has been a part of their community or family for generations. Examples of Ohio’s traditional arts include music using instruments from the tamburitza family, Polish paper cutting, blues music, stone carving, Appalachian fiddling, embroidery, Laotian khene playing, icon painting, Irish step dancing, woodcarving, Chicano corrido singing, quilting and polka.
Traditional Arts Apprenticeship awards recognize the master artist’s experience and abilities. They consist of a fee for the master artist, plus funds for supplies and necessary travel during the apprenticeship. Apprentices must live in Ohio, should have demonstrated a desire to learn by practical experience from a master artist. Master artists should be among the finest practitioners of their traditional art in their community. They may be from another state if there is no suitable master nearby.
For information and applications contact Irene Finck, Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program Coordinator, Ohio Arts Council, 727 E. Main St., Columbus, OH 43205-1796; e-mail irene.finck@oac.state.oh.us, phone 614/466-2613 or call the Ohio Relay Service at 1-800-750-0750 for TTY/TDD.
The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.
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