Oregon Folklife Network is accepting applications until Tuesday, October 1, 2024 for the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program (TAAP) for projects in 2025.
The program offers Oregon traditional artists (also known as culture keepers) a $3,500* stipend to teach their tradition/artform to apprentices from their same communities, Tribes, sacred or occupational groups. The stipend supports mentor artists in sharing their knowledge, skills and expertise with apprentices of great promise, as well as production of a capstone public/community presentation. Artists have the option to present their public presentation at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History at University of Oregon. Apprenticeship projects carry on and strengthen Oregon’s living cultural traditions.
Oregon Folklife Network will host an application informational webinar and provide live support via ZOOM on Tuesday, September 10th from 10:30 – 11:30am.
To access the application, visit https://mnch.uoregon.edu/apply-taap-award.
In 2024, the Oregon Folklife Network administered five TAAP awards, supporting the following apprenticeship projects: Native American basket weaving of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians tradition, with mentor Beth’Ann Gipson and apprentice Sarah Thompson Moore; Ukrainian weaving with mentor Tetyana Horner and apprentice Tetyana Zelyanovska; Norwegian Rosemåling with mentor Gayle Oram and apprentice Patti Jo Meshnik; Nattuvangam (Rhythmic structures of Bharatha Natyam Classical Indian Dance) with mentor Jayanthi Raman and apprentice Prekshita Jain; Mariachi trumpet with mentor Arturo Zavala and apprentice Jason Villa.
Oregon Folklife Network encourages applications from Oregonians practicing cultural traditions emerging from their heritage or Tribes. This program does not fund historic reenactments or cultural appropriation.
To learn more about application procedures and eligibility or to recommend a TAAP applicant, view our guidelines online, email ofn@uoregon.edu, or call 541-346-3820. Oregon Folklife Network staff members are available to provide application advice and will provide feedback on draft applications up to two weeks prior to the deadline.
The Oregon Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Oregon Arts Commission.
*$3,500 is typically funded to each mentor/apprentice team; the exact amount has yet to be confirmed.