Florida Department of State

Florida Department of State
Kurt S. Browning
Secretary of State

Secretary Requests Applications For Folklife Program Master Artists and Apprentices

Secretary of State Kurt S. Browning announced today that the Florida Department of State Folklife Apprenticeship Program is seeking Master Artist and Apprentice applications for its 2008-2009 program. Expert practitioners of traditional arts and people with a strong commitment to learning and perpetuating Florida folk arts are encouraged to apply.

"By supporting the continuation of community folk traditions, Floridians ensure the future of the state’s cultural vitality,” said Secretary Browning.

The Apprenticeship Program provides an opportunity for qualified apprentices to study traditional arts for an extended period with recognized master folk artists. Traditions supported by the program to date have included chair caning, Seminole patchwork, Irish fiddling, Afro-Caribbean percussion, Cracker cow whip making, Japanese flower arranging, African American blues and many more.

Master artists and prospective apprentices must apply as teams, submitting joint applications to the Florida Folklife Program/Bureau of Historic Preservation by May 15, 2008. The program provides a stipend to the master/apprentice teams as well as funds for supplies. This program is funded in part through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

For an application or additional information, contact Tina Bucuvalas, Florida Folklife Program, Bureau of Historic Preservation, 500 S. Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250 or call 850.245.6333 or 800.847.PAST. Applications are posted on the Florida Folklife Program Web site at www.flheritage.com/preservation/folklife/apprenticeship