Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program

The Arkansas Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program funds teams of mentor artists and apprentices who are committed to sustaining their artistic traditions and cultural heritage. Teams are required to develop a work plan for the upcoming project year, meet with each other regularly over the course of the year, and finally, share their experience with their communities at the culmination of the project.

Priority is given to mentors and apprentices who share the same cultural community.
Priority is also given to living art forms with few remaining practitioners.

The Arkansas Folk Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program seeks new applicants each year to better represent the spectrum of cultural communities across the state.

Application Deadline: September 15, 2023
for apprenticeships held Nov. 2023 through May 2024

INFO FOR 2023-2024 APPLICANTS

< DOWNLOAD COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE HERE >

Application for the Apprenticeship Program Sections:

Key Definitions and Application and Instructions (PDF)
Section A: Mentor Artist Application (PDF – master artist fills this out)
Section B: Apprentice Application (PDF – apprentice fills this out – print multiple copies if applying with more than one apprentice)
Section C: Proposed Plan and Budget (PDF – master and apprentice fill out together)

Panelist Rubric and Score Sheet (for your reference)

How do I submit my application?

You can email or mail your completed application and work samples. For questions about how to best submit work samples, contact Virginia Siegel at 479-575-7115.
Email: arfolk@uark.edu
Mail (postmarked by August 31, 2023):

Arkansas Folk and Traditional Arts
University of Arkansas Libraries
365 North McIlroy Avenue
Fayetteville, AR 72701-4002

INFO FOR 2022-2023 SELECTED APPRENTICESHIP PAIRS

Contract / Participation Agreement (PDF)
Release and Waiver of Liability Form (PDF)
Award Payment Process:
- Info on Payment Process: https://folklife.uark.edu/payment/
- AFTA makes awards to individuals, not to artists’ businesses. Please fill out form using your personal social security number and information.
- University of Arkansas vendor/supplier process: https://businessservices.uark.edu/vendors/
- W-9 Form (PDF)

INFO FOR PANELISTS

Forms and Resources

Panelist Handbook (emailed to panelists)
Rubric and Score Sheet (Fillable PDF)
Honorarium Process:
- Info on Payment Process: https://folklife.uark.edu/payment/
- University of Arkansas vendor/supplier process: https://businessservices.uark.edu/vendors/

Download Application

Questions?

Contact Virginia Siegel
Phone: (479) 575-7115
Email: vdsiegel@uark.edu

The Arkansas Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program has been supported by awards from the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.

The Arkansas Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program is supported, in part, by state partnership funds from the Arkansas Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about the Arkansas Arts Council, visit: https://www.arkansasheritage.com/arkansas-art-council/

IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Arkansas Folk and Traditional Arts recognizes that this project year is unique and participants will need to develop a flexible work plan. Successful applicants will be required to sign a release and waiver of liability before beginning work.