VTAAP 2025/2026 Application

2025-26 APPLICATION

FOR THE VERMONT TRADITIONAL ARTS APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: detailed application instructions available on our website. Please read the instructions prior to filling out the application.

If you are able, please fill out the application via this online form. You can use this document to draft your answers, then paste them into the online form. If you are uncomfortable with the online form, you are welcome to fill out this Word document and mail or email it to us. If you need assistance completign your application, please contact Kate Haughey at (802) 388-4964 or khaughey@vtfolklife.org

PLEASE NOTE: This program supports master artists and apprentices who have already decided to work together. Vermont Folklife staff do not match apprentices and master artists. The purpose of VTF’s traditional arts apprenticeship program is to provide funding to help compensate the master artist for their time and to cover the cost of travel and of materials used during the apprenticeship.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: MIDNIGHT, MONDAY AUGUST 4, 2025
Name or Description of Traditional Art Form
Master Artist - Applicant Information
Name

First NameLast Name
Place of Birth
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email
example@example.com
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Apprentice - Applicant Information
Name (If there will be more than one apprentice, list the lead apprentice's information here)

First NameLast Name
Place of Birth
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email
example@example.com
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Total number of apprentices (approximation OK for large groups)
Please list names of additional apprentices below:

Part A: Questions to be Answered by the Master Artist

Please write 3-5 sentences to answer each question
A. Please describe the art form you wish to teach and tell us something about the role that this art form plays in your life.
B. From whom did you learn this art form? Where? At what point in your life?
C. Many traditional art forms are linked to specific communities, such as occupational, regional, ethnic, tribal, or religious groups. Does your practice of this art form relate to a larger community of which you are a part? If so, please explain.
D. What do you feel qualifies you as an master artist?
E. Please explain why you want to participate in an apprenticeship and why you want to work with this particular apprentice. (If you received Apprenticeship support last year and want to continue working with the same apprentice for another year, please summarize what you accomplished over the past year and explain how this additional year will benefit you and your apprentice.)
F. Are you involved in any other Vermont Folklife or Young Tradition Vermont programming?

Part B: Questions to be Answered by the Apprentice

Please write 3-5 sentences to answer each question
G. How much experience do you have with the art form you wish to study? How did you learn it?
H. Why are you interested in learning more about this art form? What do you plan to do with this skill in the future?
I. Does your practice of this art form relate to a larger community (such as occupational, regional, ethnic, tribal, or religious) of which you are a part? If so, please explain.
J. Why do you want to work with this particular master artist in an apprenticeship?
K. What do you expect to accomplish during this apprenticeship?
L. Do you have plans to tie the apprenticeship into the larger (Vermont) community? If so, how?
M. Are you involved in any other Vermont Folklife or Young Tradition Vermont programming?

PART C: Work Plan to be Completed by Both Master Artist and Apprentice(s)

Master artist and apprentice(s) should complete this section together. Please be as specific and through as possible.
N. How many times will you meet during the apprenticeship? When, where and for how long each time?(The work plan can begin September 1, 2025 and continue through August 30, 2026.)
O. What specific skills/techniques will be taught? (For example: tunes, dance steps, craft techniques or objects, etc.) What other types of knowledge about this artform will the master artist pass along? (for example: cultural context, history, or community connections).
P. Describe some ways in which the master artist will evaluate the progress of the apprentice(s).
Q. Describe 1-2 possible public presentations (exhibit, demonstration, performance) that the team would like to do during your time together in their own town, county, or region?
R. How would receiving this funding make this apprenticeship more accessible to the apprentice and/or master artist?
S. How did you hear about the Vermont Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program? (Word of mouth? Community organization? A Vermont Folklife Center event? Social media or email?)
PART D: Budget

To be completed by both master artist & apprentice(s)
Paid to Master Artist
Master Artist’s fee (should be most of the budget):
Supplies and Materials (please provide itemized list if applicable):
Master Artist Supplies and Materials total:
Master Artist Milage
Number of trips
Length of each trip in miles
Total reimbursement in dollars at $0.70/mile
Paid to Apprentice
Supplies and Materials (please provide itemized list if applicable):
Apprentice Supplies and Materials total:
Apprentice Milage
Number of trips
Length of each trip in miles
Total reimbursement in dollars at $0.70/mile
Total amout requested (Should equal $2,000 or less):
(Fill in the fields above and the total will calculate in this box).

Support Materials

Please upload any supporting materials you would like to include with your application. (e.g. photographs, videos, audio recordings, video, or news articles.) Please name files with both master artist and apprentice last name and provide a brief description.
Item #1 Description
Item # 1 File Upload

Cancelof
Item #2 Description
Item # 2 File Upload

Cancelof
Item #3 Description
Item # 3 File Upload

Cancelof
Item #4 Description
Item # 4 File Upload

Cancelof
Apprenticeship Dates
Starting date (no earlier than September 1, 2025): Date
Ending Date (no later than August 31, 2026): Date
Signatures

IMPORTANT: If the master artist and apprentice are unable to fill this form out together, whoever is submitting should sign their signature in the appropriate box. Once you hit submit, a copy of the form will be emailed to the email addresses listed for both master artist and apprentice, and whoever has not yet signed will be able to edit the form and add their signature.
Master Artist
I'm willing to work with First Name Last Name as an apprentice according to the plans outlined in this application.
Master Artist Signature

Clear
Date

MonthDayYear
Date
Apprentice
I'm willing to work with First Name Last Name as an apprentice according to the plans outlined in this application.
Apprentice Signature

Clear
Date

MonthDayYear
Date
If the apprentice is under the age of eighteen, a parent or legal guardian must complete this section:
I, First Name Last Name, give permission for First Name Last Name to work with Mentor Artist First Name Last Name as part of Vermont Folklife's Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program.
Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian

Clear
Date

MonthDayYear
Date
This Program is funded by individual donations to Vermont Folklife, the Serena Foundation, and a grants partnership with the Vermont Arts Council and the Folk and Traditional Arts Program of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Should be Empty:

2025-26 APPLICATION

Master Artist - Applicant Information

Apprentice - Applicant Information

Part A: Questions to be Answered by the Master Artist

Part B: Questions to be Answered by the Apprentice

PART C: Work Plan to be Completed by Both Master Artist and Apprentice(s)

PART D: Budget

Paid to Master Artist

Master Artist Milage

Paid to Apprentice

Apprentice Milage

Support Materials

Apprenticeship Dates

Signatures