Traditional Arts Apprenticeships
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The Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program helps communities preserve their own cultural heritage by providing teaching opportunities for accomplished mentors to pass on their skills to an apprentice. Traditional Arts are passed down from one generation to the next usually within families and communities and can take many forms including vocal and instrumental music, dance, crafts, culinary and textile arts, and occupational traditions.
Based on their experience and commitment to a particular traditional art form, mentors and their apprentices apply to work together, usually for up to a one-year period. Up to $3,000 is available for mentors’ teaching fees, supplies and travel costs.
Who can be a Mentor?
A mentor is a person steeped in, and expert in, a tradition, craft or technique. They are tradition bearers, acknowledged by their community as the person to carry on specific traditions. Usually learned by example rather than through formal academic training, a mentor is dedicated to passing on art forms that are rooted in their community’s cultural heritage.
Who can be an Apprentice?
An apprentice must have a basic ability and understanding of the traditional art form and demonstrate a commitment to working with the mentor. Mentors usually pick their apprentices. Apprentices should share a cultural background with their mentors.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOT CURRENTLY BEING ACCEPTED
Click here to view the most recent PDF application.
If you would like to find out about future apprenticeship opportunities, please email TAN@mayostreetarts.org or call Mayo Street Arts at 207-879-4629.
The Traditional Arts Apprenticeships are supported in part through support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.
