Folklife Apprenticeships support traditional arts education by funding a mentor artist and apprentice artist to work together for one year.
During the grant period, the mentor artist passes down their knowledge to the apprentice artist.
Folklife Apprenticeships support living cultural traditions and are distinct from registered apprenticeships offered through the Maryland Apprenticeship Training Program (MATP), which supports workforce development. Click here for more information on MATP.
Do you need support with your application? Watch our previous information session! Access previous webinar slides and recordings below!
- How to Apply: Folklife Apprenticeship Program - MSAC staff will walk attendees through the process of applying for a Folklife Apprenticeship, includng application strategies and program changes. Click here to watch the recording.
Applicants who are eligible for Folklife Apprenticeships are traditional artists resident in Maryland.
Mentor artists should be able to demonstrate vital contributions to a particular living cultural tradition in Maryland.
Apprentice artists should be able to demonstrate some prior experience, a basic level of skill, and a commitment to long-term learning in a particular traditional art.
The apprentice artist may be younger than 18 years of age; if this is the case, contact information and e-signature from the apprentice’s parent/guardian will be required to acknowledge permission for the apprentice to participate in the program.
See the Grant Guidelines for detailed information.
Applications require complete narrative information, with the option to submit supplemental materials. A completed application consists of the following components:
- Answers to prompts soliciting:
- A description of the cultural history and current community practice of the traditional art in the proposed Folklife Apprenticeship
- Biographical information for both the mentor artist and apprentice artist
- A work plan including the logistical, financial, and cultural details of the proposed Folklife Apprenticeship
- Optional supplemental materials that demonstrate the suitability of the applicants to complete the proposed Folklife Apprenticeship, including written materials and audiovisual materials
Applications offer the option of uploading an audio or video recording answering the narrative questions. This option is intended to benefit applicants who prefer communicating verbally to submitting written materials. Instructions for uploading application recordings are included in SmartSimple.
See the Grant Guidelines for detailed information.
Upon execution of grant agreement, payment will be processed for receipt in 6-8 weeks. Grantees are required to submit a final report at the completion of the funded project. For detailed reporting requirements, please see the Grant Guidelines.
All MSAC grants are paid on the same timeline. To learn more, click here.
Grantees are required to submit a brief report detailing the use of funds at the end of each fiscal year.
See the Grant Guidelines for detailed information.
A complete list of previous grantees can be found in this research guide from the Maryland Traditions Archives.
2024-2025
2023-2024
2022-2023 Arts Relief
2022-2023
2021-2022
This Youtube playlist features soundbooks and documentary short films created by contract media producers Edwin Remsberg Photographs (2007-2021) and Wide Angle Youth Media (2021-present), respectively, featuring Folklife Apprenticeship teams over the years:
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