Definitions
Folk & Traditional arts are living practices that have a community base and express that community's aesthetics and heritage. They encompass the everyday knowledge, art, and lore that are passed from one member of the community to another through imitation, observation, or word-of-mouth. Skills and traditions are often learned informally rather than through academic or formal means. Most traditional arts have endured through several generations. Typical communities include ethnic, tribal, occupational, regional, or religious groups. For a more complete definition of Folk & Traditional Arts, please go to: http://www.iowaartscouncil.org/programs/folk-and-traditional-arts/purpose-and-services.shtml.
An Apprenticeship is a time-honored system by which skills, techniques, values, and artistry are learned under the guidance of a recognized master.
A Master Artist is someone who is recognized by his or her community and peers as an exemplary practitioner of a traditional art form.
An Apprentice learns under the guidance of a master artist. Prospective apprentices must be members of the same folk or culture group as the master artists. The apprentice must have some prior experience and expertise in the traditional art form and must have a serious long-term commitment to its continuity within his or her community.
Eligible Art Forms
Examples of eligible art forms include but are not limited to:
• Meskwaki beadwork and finger weaving
• Amana rug weaving and quilting
• Scandinavian old-time fiddling and hardanger embroidery
• Czech and German accordion
• Lao, Tai Dam and Vietnamese traditional dance
• Iraqi ’ud construction and performance
• Bosnian crochet and rug weaving
• Mexican mariachi music and traditional dance
• Anglo-American quilting
Ineligible Apprenticeship Projects
• Professional classes
• Contemporary studio artists (apprenticeships with contemporary studio artists
are funded through Artist Major Grants and Artist Mini Grants. These grants
do not fund students enrolled in degree-granting schools if they relate to
any class credit).
• Re-creations of antiques or past traditions such as re-enactment crafts
• Contemporary interpretations of traditional art forms (i.e., the creation
of a theatre piece based on traditional dance)
• Apprenticeships in which the Master Artist and the Apprentice are from different
folk or culture groups
Apprenticeship Model
The following model must be used in all apprenticeships.
1. Applicant
Either the Master Artist or the Apprentice may be the primary applicant for
a Folk & Traditional Arts Major or Mini Grant to support the apprenticeship.
However, the application MUST include a letter of commitment from the other
party.
2. Apprenticeship Teams
Apprenticeship Teams usually consist of one Master Artist and one Apprentice.
Dance and music ensemble apprenticeship teams may have more apprentices, but
Master Artists must determine how many Apprentices they can realistically
teach over the course of the apprenticeship period.
3. Apprenticeship Period
Apprenticeships may occur at any time during the fiscal year but must be completed
(including public presentation) no later than June 30.
4. Apprenticeship must include at least twelve Master Artist/Apprenticeship sessions over the course of at least 3 months. The IAC encourages apprenticeships that last up to 1 year.
5. Master and Apprentice should live within at least 50 miles of each other to ensure a strong mentoring relationship and communication between the team members. Longer distances may discourage the viability of cultural communities.
6. Site Visits
The Traditional Arts Program Coordinator (or designee) may make at least one
site visit to the apprenticeship teams to document the learning process. Taped
or digitally recorded interviews or performances and photographs are encouraged
during these site visits.
7. Final Report
After completing the apprenticeship, the Master and Apprentice must together
complete a one-page Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Report in addition
to the required IAC final report, detailing what was learned during the apprenticeship.
8. Public Presentation
After completing the apprenticeship, the Master Artist and Apprentice/s must
present one public program in their home community at a public library, civic
center or auditorium, courthouse, public school, community hospital, or another
public space.
9. Contact IAC First!
Apprenticeship applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Riki Saltzman,
Folklife Coordinator, at riki.saltzman@iowa.gov
or 515-242-6195 prior to applying.