Michigan Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program

It's that time of year again! The Michigan Traditional Arts Program (MTAP) of the MSU Museum is accepting applications for the 2015 Michigan Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program.

If you, or someone you know, are interested in receiving a $2000 grant to learn a traditional art form, consider applying! The includes, but is not limited to, traditional dance, music, foodways, arts (ceramics, basket weaving, carving, textiles, etc.), storytelling, and more of any culture represented in the state of Michigan. Masters artists, if you have student that you are already working with ,this is a great way to subsidize that partnership and share your art form. Apprentices, if you have been meaning to pair with a master artist of your choosing to learn a traditional art, now is the time!

The requirements are as follows:

1. Must be available from February-August of 2015 to meet with your master artist/apprentice
2. The master artist must be a current resident of the state of Michigan
3. The master artist must be recognized by their community as a master of their art form
4. Application must be completed and submitted by December 1, 2014.

There are no requirements as to the frequency of your meetings or the number of hours spent. The aim is to have the time spent be equivalent to meeting approximately once per week.

All you need to apply is a completed application, letters of recommendation in support of the partnership, and a few samples of work. Some examples of this could include audio CDs, photographs, or YouTube videos.

For examples of past apprenticeships, click here.
For more information, view our press release here.

Here is a short video from 2013 and 2014 master artist Patricia Shackleton:

For more information, email Micah Ling, MTAP Assistant,
(micah.j.ling@gmail.com) or Marsha MacDowell, Program Director (macdowel@msu.edu).

We look forward to receiving your applications!