Oregon Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program Applications Accepted Through Oct 1, 2024 -09/04/24

EUGENE, Ore. – (Sept 4, 2024) – 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 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 10^th 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.

Completed applications are due no later than 5 pm on Tuesday, October 1^st.  Completed applications can be emailed to OFN@uoregon.edu or mailed to the Oregon Folklife Network, 242 Knight Library, 6204 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-6204. NOTE: This is NOT a postmark deadline.  

About Oregon Folklife Network

Oregon Folklife Network (OFN) is administered by the Museum of Natural and Cultural History at the University of Oregon and is the state’s designated Folk and Traditional Arts Program. OFN is supported in part by grants from the Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Historical Society, Oregon Cultural Trust, and National Endowment for the Arts. OFN works to increase public investment in cultural traditions and those who practice them.

About the Museum of Natural and Cultural History  

The Museum of Natural and Cultural History enhances knowledge of Earth’s environments and cultures, inspiring stewardship of our collective past, present, and future. With collections representing millions of years and each of the planet's continents, it's a place for digging into science, celebrating culture, and joining together to create a just and sustainable world. The museum is located on the University of Oregon campus near Hayward Field. Oregon Trail and other EBT cardholders receive admission discounts. Visit mnch.uoregon.edu or call 541-346-3024 for current hours and other admission information.

Source: 

Kait Glasswell, Oregon Folklife Network, kaitg@uoregon.edu, 541-346-2375

Media Contact: 

Lexie Briggs, Museum of Natural and Cultural History, lbriggs@uoregon.edu, 541-346-5083

Links: 

Oregon Folklife Network: https://mnch.uoregon.edu/oregon-folklife-network

TAAP Program: https://mnch.uoregon.edu/traditional-arts-apprenticeship-program-0

Museum of Natural and Cultural History: https://mnch.uoregon.edu/ 

Museum on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/oregonnaturalhistory

 

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