TAC/TACA Tennessee MasterArtistApprenticeProgram

The 2012 MasterArtistApprenticeProgram Is Now Taking Applications!


Tennessee Association of Craft Artists (TACA) is pleased to announce the 2012 partnership with the Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC), The Tennessee MasterArtistApprenticeProgram (MAAP).

"We are honored to work with the Tennessee Arts Commission to encourage and foster concentrated learning experiences for the purpose of continuing the vibrancy of Tennessee's rich craft tradition," says TACA Executive Director Teri Alea. "This project partnership accomplishes our mission to encourage, develop and promote craft and craftspeople and we are delighted to offer this innovative program to our members."

Tennessee MasterArtistApprenticeProgram is funded by the Tennessee Arts Commission and administered in cooperation with the Tennessee Association of Craft Artists.

Mission
The Tennessee MasterArtistApprenticeProgram is a cooperative partnership created to encourage and invest in the continuation, advancement and creation of Tennessee craft by recognizing the role of the master craft artist/apprentice relationship as a way to preserve the state's cultural heritage. The program will contract master craft artists to offer a period of concentrated learning to apprentices who demonstrate a commitment to further develop their abilities as specialized craft practitioners.

Objectives

• Providing Tennessee craft artists with relevant and alternative educational experiences
• Promoting and facilitating fine craft as a viable career path for Tennessee craft artists
• Fostering deliberate mentoring
• Facilitating professional development of emerging Tennessee craft artists
• Increasing pool of Tennessee craft artists
• Providing Tennessee craft artists with alternative means of professional funding

Who Can Be Funded
Members of the master craft artists/apprentice team must be residents of Tennessee and must provide a copy of proof of residency with submitted applications. Priority will be given to apprenticeships that take place outside of institutional settings.

Number of Awards
Three (3) master craft artist/apprentice pairs will be chosen to participate in the program, with funding available for intensive, one-on-one training to qualified apprentices by recognized master craft artists.

Award Amounts
Approved applications will receive a total of $4,000 to be divided as follows: The master craft artist is awarded an honorarium of $2,200 and the apprentice is awarded an honorarium of $1,800.

Project Duration
Project partnership runs from December 01, 2011 through June 15, 2012 and includes a minimum of 80-120 hours of instruction.

Application Deadline
Application deadline is October 31, 2011. All applications must be postmarked on or before October 31 to be considered. No hand-delivered, electronic or faxed copies of applications and/or support documents will be accepted.

How to Apply
Tennessee MasterArtistApprenticeProgram guidelines and applications are available by clicking here or by e-mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Participant Quotes:

Master glass artist Tom Fuhrman with apprentice Pat Finney:

“It was satisfying to see another individual grasp some of the techniques I taught them and make beneficial use of them. Sharing your hard self-taught techniques is not always the easiest thing to do. It is a real mental trip – and it could have become an emotional trip as well. Overall, it was satisfying and enjoyable and I was glad I had as good of an apprentice as I did.”
–Tom

“I consider this mentorship very successful. I’ve been able to learn new techniques that when added to my original way of working glass created a new product. These new techniques have allowed me to not only grow in new directions, but have allowed me to take my old way of doing things to a new level… I don’t want to get stuck. I want to continue to evolve. I want my customers next year to be able to see growth – not necessarily a whole new product, but a new, better, more interesting piece of art.”
– Pat

Master paper artist Claudia Lee with apprentice Jess Jones:

“Jess and I hit it off from the beginning and our relationship has become one of friendship which will not end with the apprenticeship… Because time was short and our plans were large, we were forced to decide what we most needed to focus on and what could be left for later, if time allowed. This narrowing of focus and limiting ourselves is, in itself, a wonderful tool for creativity. Too many choices can be a distraction.” - Claudia

“Claudia and I did more than what we proposed. I can also see how I have so much more to learn. My work is completely different from one year ago… I know as a professional artist I have benefitted from this program in ways that I am only just beginning to see.” - Jess