Many organizations provide funding and resources to support the practice and sharing of traditional arts. Individual artists and interested students can apply for the opportunities below.

In spring of 2022, SFMS helped three local artists with their PCA Traditional Arts Apprenticeship grants, and all of them were funded: not a bad track record!

Pictured here are (top left) Mary-Grace Lee, who studied Irish traditional music on hammered dulcimer with master Lexie Boatright (bottom left); multi-media artist Aron Rook (bottom center) who learned how to carve characters in wood from master Jim Hiser (top center); and Mary-Grace Lee (top right) who studied Irish harp with master Graínne Hambly (bottom right).

PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL ON THE ARTS (PCA)

Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeships

Are you a skilled practitioner of a traditional art form interested in passing on your traditions? Do you know a skilled practitioner whose art you would like to learn? You may be eligible for an apprenticeship in a traditional art, supported by the PCA.

As a Folk Art Partner with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, SFMS can help artists in Cumberland, Dauphin, and Lebanon counties apply for the apprenticeship program. Grants are up to $4,000 to cover time and supplies for a master artist working with a qualified apprentice. Take a look at the program guidelines and application, and if the program looks like a good fit for you, reach out to us at folkarts@sfmsfolk.org to get started.

Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts Project Stream

Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) Project Stream program provides grants of up to $2,500 to individuals to conduct arts projects. Projects must be conducted for the benefit of the public.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation (MAAF)

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation offers a range of grants for artists, in particular, Creative Fellowships and support for artists to perform at international festivals. Check out their database of international festivals.

TRAIN (Teachers Of Remote Arts Instruction Network)

(TRAIN) Teachers of Remote Arts Instruction Network connects students with master musicians, craftspeople and tradition bearers offering online instruction. TRAIN is open to all folk and traditional artists regardless of where they live, and open to students of all skill levels. All instructional arrangements and financial agreements are made exclusively between the artists and the students. TRAIN is free and receives no proceeds from instruction. Check out their pages and pages of artists, including some familiar faces from past Susquehanna Folk seasons!