Since starting in 1966, the Kentucky Arts Council continues to spread the importance of folk art across the Commonwealth. One way KAC has been able to help grow the style is through an apprenticeship grant called the Folk Arts and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grant.
The program provides a Kentucky folk or traditional artist to teach skills, practices and culture for a year to someone who wants to learn more about a certain artistic field. Some apprenticeships that have been accepted in the past include quilting, clogging, clawhammer banjo, Appalachian storytelling, broom-making, and more.
Mark Brown, Folk and Traditional Arts Director at the Kentucky Arts Council, said the total number of applications the council approves changes every year.
“Last year was our record year. We had 13 applications approved and we are really excited about that,” said Brown. “That is the most we have ever had in one year. Typically, between five and 10 applications are approved.”
Brown said a high number of apprenticeships shows learning folk arts is more important than ever.
“Some people think of folk arts as something that is lesser than you know the high arts or the traditional or the classical arts and some people think of it as something that other people practice but not really mainstream,” said Brown. “But the truth is all of us have folk arts and traditions in our everyday lives and if we took those away, we would really miss them.”
Brown added the council strongly encourages anyone who has an interest in sharing the traditions of folk arts to apply for the grant.
Anyone who has been a resident in Kentucky for a year or longer can submit an application. The portal to submit applications closes on March 28.