Illinois Arts Council Calls For Ethnic & Folk Arts Master/Apprentice Program Applications

Chicago - Applications are now available online for the Illinois Arts Council's (IAC) Ethnic & Folk Arts Master/Apprentice Program. This program recognizes the vital role of the master artist/apprentice relationship in the preservation of Illinois' cultural heritage. Master/Apprentice awards are $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.

The Master/Apprentice Program generally supports art forms found in informal rather than institutional settings. A "Master Artist" is an individual recognized within his or her community as an exemplary practitioner of his or her traditional or classical ethnic art form. An "Apprentice" is an individual with some experience in a traditional or classical ethnic art form who is committed to attaining mastery of that art. Past awards have supported traditional art forms as diverse as East Indian dance, Chinese drum and bell music, African drumming, and American folk music.

"Illinois is exceptionally rich in cultural heritage," says Terry A. Scrogum, IAC Executive Director. "Ethnic and Folk Arts Master/Apprentice Grants help to foster this learning arrangement and sustain the diversity of these traditional art forms."

The deadline for application to the FY08 Master/Apprentice Program is September 1, 2007. Guidelines and application materials are available from the Illinois Arts Council website: www.state.il.us/agency/iac . For further information about this program and/or to receive a hard copy of these materials, please contact the Illinois Arts Council at 312/814-6750, toll-free in Illinois 800/237-6994, TTY 888/261-7957 for individuals who have hearing or voice impairments, or email iac.info@illinois.gov . Individuals who are blind, have low vision, or have learning impairments may obtain assistance regarding IAC written materials by contacting the agency's ADA/504 Access Coordinator.