WHAT IS AN APPRENTICESHIP IN TRADITIONAL ARTS?
Apprenticeship is a process of learning traditional practices directly from a mentor. A mentor teaches a student apprentice in person, through regular, intensive, one-on-one instruction. Mentors teach skills, meaning, and proper use of a heritage art form (trade, practice, or craft) inside a community.
WHAT KIND OF “ARTS” DOES THIS PROGRAM SUPPORT?
This program supports the learning of living cultural heritage forms that are important to communities. These traditional forms are expressions of community identity and values and are usually taught informally. These traditional forms can include performing arts, crafts, trade/occupational skills, and religious, seasonal, or ceremonial traditions. (In most cases reenactments, recreations, and historic reproductions are not eligible under this program). If you have questions about your practice or art form, please contact the program manager.
Some examples of communities and traditional forms might include:
- Occupation: blacksmithing; mandolin making; hotrod car building; taxidermy
- Ethnicity: iconography; wampum-carving; traditional food-making; cultural wedding practices
- Community: lion dance; santos-carving; liturgical song; hip-hop
WHO CAN APPLY FOR THIS PROGRAM?
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut residents may apply as mentors and apprentices with someone from one of the other states. Only residents of Connecticut can apply as mentor and apprentice from the same state.
A mentor and apprentice must apply together — we do not assign apprenticeship teams.
Two expert level traditional artists who wish to exchange knowledge with one another may also apply.
Why is this program for Southern New England and not just Connecticut?
Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts share many different cultural communities. This program encourages cross-state connections by supporting mentors and apprentices to travel and teach across state lines.
I am not currently a mentor nor apprentice, but I actively participate in my tradition. Can you pair me with someone?
We do not assign mentors or apprentices. However, please feel free to contact program representatives (listed above). They may have helpful suggestions for whom you could contact to see if they are interested in applying for SNEAP with you as a mentor or apprentice.
Do you ever fund same-state apprenticeships outside of Connecticut?
Unfortunately, under our funding guidelines, we can only fund same-state apprenticeships to Connecticut residents. For same-state apprenticeships or traditional arts grant opportunities in Rhode Island, please visit: https://arts.ri.gov/grants/folk-arts-and-traditional-apprenticeships. For traditional arts funding opportunities in Massachusetts, please visit: https://massculturalcouncil.org/artists-art/grants-for-creative-individuals/
Who is a mentor?
A mentor is someone who has practiced their traditional form for a long time, and who is recognized by their community as being an expert at what they do.
Who is an apprentice?
An apprentice is someone who has the desire to learn or improve skills of a traditional form from a mentor. The apprentice learns the cultural significance of this practice and is willing to carry the tradition forward.
Can a mentor have more than one apprentice?
Sometimes a small group is appropriate to traditional practices. However, this is not a program that funds a mentor to teach a class. Apprentice(s) must fill out the “apprentice” portion of the application and submit support materials. Please note, the apprentice stipend portion will be split between all proposed apprentices.
I’m from a different community or heritage group from my mentor or apprentice—is this a problem?
The program favors applicants who share a common heritage. However, cultural art forms are frequently shared between groups, and people have multiple cultural identities. Please explain in your application how your apprenticeship might strengthen cross-cultural communities or how it reflects multicultural realities.
Why don’t you use the term “master”?
We expect that our mentors have an expert skillset in their traditional practices and are experienced teachers who want to pass on their legacy. We acknowledge the word “master” has an array of meanings to our communities and feel that “mentor” is a more inclusive term.
Can Mentors and Apprentices apply multiple times?
Apprenticeship teams may apply for a second year when the application window is open. In fairness to first time applicants, we ask teams who have participated in two consecutive years take one gap year before reapplying.
HOW LONG DOES THE APPRENTICESHIP LAST?
Through the program, an apprenticeship can last as short a time as 3 months or as long as 10 months. For shorter, more intense timelines, consult with the SNEAP manager. (We strongly encourage apprenticeship teams to continue their learning relationship outside of the official Apprenticeship Program.)
HOW MUCH IS AWARDED AND WHAT DOES IT PAY FOR?
The apprenticeship award tends to be around $3000, no more than $5000 and no less than $2000. Most of this fee should go towards paying the mentor artist for their time. This year we are able to also provide a modest stipend directly to the apprentice. The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History (The Connecticut Museum) manages contracts and carefully monitors all contracted work.
When are payments made?
Awards will be distributed in TWO payments. The First at the signing of the contracts. The Second at the completion of the public presentation and submission of the final report to the SNEAP manager.
HOW ARE APPRENTICESHIP AWARDEES DECIDED?
Applications will be evaluated by outside reviewers who will include folk and traditional art specialists, artists, community leaders, and tradition bearers. Every application is read and reviewed manually. We do not use the assistance of electronic screening programs to review any application submitted. Reviewers will consider application responses, work samples, and letters of support to determine the strength of each application, according to the following criteria:
- Mentor Traditionality: the mentor’s skills have been learned from within the art form/practice’s originating culture or community, and the art form/practice has significance to their community.
- Mentor Familiarity/Commitment: the mentor demonstrates first-hand knowledge of the art form/practice, and the mentor displays dedication and expert knowledge/skill as defined and recognized by their community.
- Apprentice Commitment – the apprentice shows the capacity to learn, and shows commitment to the learning process of the art form/practice.
- Clarity and Achievability – the teaching plan and timetable for the proposed apprenticeship window is realistic and effective in advancing the apprentice’s skills and knowledge, and the mentor is able and equipped to teach these skills.
- Community/Public Impact – This apprenticeship will have a positive impact on its community of practice or beyond. The public presentation will expand and support the community’s and public’s knowledge of the art form/practice. Application materials show the importance of teaching/learning this art form for their community.
To ensure equitable access to funding, top-ranked applications will also be evaluated as a group to balance distribution of apprenticeships among traditions, communities, and geographic areas.
How will I know if I was selected for the apprenticeship?
Applicants who are selected for the program will be notified by e-mail or phone call in September of 2026.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Applications in Word or online form format are available through https://connecticutmuseum.org/apprenticeship.
- All application proposals must be presented to SNEAP manager by July 24, 2026.
- Mentor and Apprentice must apply together in one application. Final Application due by: August 1, 2026.
- Mentors must complete Section 2.
- Apprentices must complete Section 3.
- Mentors and Apprentices must complete Section 1 and 4 together.
NOTE: It is important for both mentor and apprentice to talk about their ideas for this apprenticeship. Without shared understanding of what you plan to do, issues can arise.
Only one application is allowed per Mentor Artist and/or Apprentice. Please note, SNEAP staff do not pair apprentices and mentors.
All sections must be fully completed. Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.
Online Application
For the 2026-2027 Application window, we are introducing an online JotForm application. Support materials will also be required to be submitted with an online shared drive folder such as GoogleDrive, OneDrive, or DropBox. Mentor and Apprentice should use one folder. If you need technical assistance with preparing/submitting your samples or creating an online shared folder please contact the SNEAP Manager: pstemplys-cowdrey@connecticutmuseum.org.
Those who prefer to submit a word doc application may do so. Please note the Section and Questions numbers on the word doc versions will be labeled to match the online form.
IMPORTANT: JotForm applications can save your progress, and populate a draft link to share between mentor and apprentice. A JotForm account is not required.
My storytelling skills are stronger than my writing skills, can I provide an audio application?
Yes! For the questions in Sections 2 and 3, please submit an audio or video recording of your answers.
Can I use AI to help generate my answers?
We encourage applicants to use their authentic voice to tell their full story. We have found AI-generated answers do not include enough details about your specific cultural traditions and do not result in strong applications. If writing is not your strong suit, consider an audio application or contact the SNEAP manager or representative for technical assistance.
What do I need to submit for support materials?
BOTH Mentor and Apprentice are asked to supply work samples to demonstrate your abilities and commitment to your traditional practice.
If the apprentice has no samples for the proposed practice, please provide a letter of support from a community member detailing the apprentice’s commitment to learn. If available, the apprentice is requested to provide samples of other related works to the practice or community.
Requirements:
- Visual Artists, Trades/Crafts: 5 – 10 images depicting finished pieces of work. Images detailing the process are also encouraged. jpgs and pdfs are preferred.
- Musicians, Vocal/Oral Tradition Artists: 2 – 3 recorded examples representing your work at 3 minutes maximum per recording. Web links preferred. *
- Dancers/Performing Arts: 2 – 3 video examples representing your work at 3 minutes maximum per recording. Web links preferred. *
- Ceremonial, Foodways, and other practices: Please submit a combination of still images and recordings as appropriate to your tradition. Consult SNEAP manager for details.
- For all samples:
- Please upload all samples to an online shared drive folder such as GoogleDrive, OneDrive, DropBox.
- Sample drive link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1V5aIigj_y-U_skYpgKXj4EnebYcKjLSj?usp=sharing
- Please include a word document listing all samples with filename and detailed captions including dates, details of pieces, and any notes of cultural/traditional importance. If multiple people are featured in an example, please clearly identify yourself.
- * if audio/video samples are longer than 3 minutes, please provide start and stop times you wish to be viewed. Samples without start/stop times will be watched/listened from 0:00 – 3:00.
Will I need letters of support?
Yes! Both mentor and apprentice need to provide one or two letters of support from members of your community. These letters are necessary for reviewers to understand the community involvement of the applicants, and how the community values the applicant or the art form. These letters should show the applicants’ commitment to the 10-month program and beyond.
Can someone help me with my application?
Of course! Please contact the SNEAP Manager, Philitha Stemplys-Cowdrey, at
pstemplys-cowdrey@connecticutmuseum.org or 860.236.5621 ext 201, to schedule a time to go over the application in-person, virtually, or over the phone.
Anyone unable to submit materials should contact the SNEAP manager to discuss a possible site visit to assist with recording or photographing your work samples. If you need to submit physical or hardcopy support materials and wish to have them returned to you, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your application, and materials will be returned to you after the application review period.
TELL ME ABOUT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.
Will you document our apprenticeship?
Yes! During the program, all apprenticeship teams will be visited and documented by the SNEAP manager or your state’s program representative. Documentation may include interviews, photographs, and video. All participants will sign a release form but will have final say about what materials are recorded and kept. Please direct any questions to the SNEAP manager.
Is a public presentation required?
Yes. Each apprenticeship team MUST organize a public presentation to share the results of the apprenticeship within their communities. Public activities may be in the form of a community festival, demonstration, performance, or an exhibit. This presentation must occur BEFORE JUNE 30, 2027. Please contact the SNEAP manager if you need ideas for your presentation. (If the tradition is a closed practice, we respect the sanctity of your tradition; please contact the SNEAP manager on how reporting should be presented.)
Is there a final report?
Yes. Mentors and apprentices will be required to fill out a final report describing their experience and accomplishments.
Is a background check required?
Per Connecticut Museum of Culture and History policy, all contracted mentors will be required to give permission to undergo a background check. This is to ensure the utmost safety to everyone in the program. Results of the check will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Instances appearing on the report may not necessarily disqualify a mentor candidate from the program.
Do mentors and apprentices have to meet in person?
We strongly believe that the best teaching occurs in person. However, we care about your health and in view of potential concerns over illnesses, we will allow apprenticeships that are willing to try remote learning options if they do not feel safe in person. We encourage anyone seeking this arrangement to discuss with us the extent and frequency of the modifications you are interested in.