Florida Folklife Program Seeks Master Artists and Apprentices

TALLAHASSEE –

Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced today that the Florida Department of State is seeking master artist and apprentice applications for the 2015-16 Florida Folklife Apprenticeship Program.  Expert practitioners of traditional arts and people with a strong commitment to learning and preserving Florida folk arts are encouraged to apply.

“For over thirty years, the Folklife Apprenticeship Program has provided an opportunity for master artists and students to preserve and perpetuate folk heritage legacies in Florida,” said Secretary Detzner.  “By sharing important cultural knowledge, these tradition bearers are ensuring that traditional culture and folklife thrive throughout our state and well into the future.” 

The Florida Folklife 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 Seminole patchwork, Irish fiddling, Indian rangoli, Afro-Caribbean percussion, Cracker cow-whip making, Haitian drumming, Greek bouzouki music and many more.

Although applications are accepted throughout the year, the deadline is May 15, 2015.  Interested masters and apprentices must apply as a team by submitting the joint application to the Florida Folklife Program in the Division of Historical Resources.  The Florida Folklife Council will review the applications and recommend apprenticeship teams to the Secretary of State for approval.  Final decisions should be announced by August. The program provides a stipend to the master/apprentice teams as well as funds for supplies.

For an application or additional information, contact State Folklorist Amanda Hardeman, Florida Folklife Program, Division of Historical Resources, 500 S. Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399 or call 850.245.6333 or 800.847.PAST. Applications can be found on the Florida Folklife Program website at flheritage.com/preservation/folklife/apprenticeship.  The Florida Folklife Program is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts’ Folk and Traditional Arts Program.

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 About the Florida Folklife Program

The Florida Folklife Program, a component of the Florida Department of State's Division of Historical Resources, documents and presents Florida's folklife, folklore and folk arts. The program coordinates a wide range of activities and projects designed to increase the awareness of Floridians and visitors alike about Florida's traditional culture. Established in 1979 by the legislature to document and present Florida folklife, this program is one of the oldest state folk arts programs in the nation. For more information about Florida folklife, visit flheritage.com/preservation/folklife/.