The Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grant, administered by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts (NHSCA), supports the preservation of traditional cultural expressions in New Hampshire by funding one-on-one learning between a master traditional artist and an apprentice. These grants are designed to maintain and pass on traditions such as music, dance, and craft through close, sustained instruction that spans a minimum of 65 hours over six to ten months. The program recognizes the value of cultural practices transmitted within communities and aims to sustain those that continue to hold relevance and meaning in today’s social fabric.

The grant supports projects taking place between November 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026, and applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm EST on June 13, 2025. Master artist and apprentice teams may apply jointly for a maximum of $4,000, with $3,000 allowable for the master artist and $1,000 for the apprentice. Funds may be used for instruction fees, materials, and travel essential to the apprenticeship. All grants are subject to the availability of federal and state funds. Importantly, NHSCA and National Endowment for the Arts funds cannot be used as matching sources for each other.

Eligible applicants include master-apprentice teams where both individuals are actively involved in a traditional art form relevant to a New Hampshire-based community. The apprentice must be a New Hampshire resident, while the master artist may reside in New Hampshire or one of the neighboring states: Vermont, Maine, or Massachusetts. Both must demonstrate a direct connection to the community where the tradition originated. Individuals may only apply once per fiscal year and can receive support for two consecutive years before requiring a one-year break from reapplying. Students are not eligible unless they are New Hampshire residents.

Grant restrictions include exclusions for contemporary fine arts and crafts, performance arts like opera or acting, and non-art occupations unless directly tied to traditional craft-making. Each awarded apprenticeship must conclude with a public community presentation held in New Hampshire, demonstrating the skills learned. This presentation must be ADA-accessible and may be supported by a separate funding request of up to $500.

Applications must be submitted online through Submittable and include narrative responses, work samples, budget plans, letters of support, and a project outline. The grant selection is competitive and evaluated based on artistic excellence, community engagement, feasibility, and the potential impact of the apprenticeship on cultural sustainability in New Hampshire. Award notifications are sent following a review panel and NHSCA approval, which can take up to 10 weeks post-deadline. All grant agreements must be returned by January 15 of the fiscal year or the award may be forfeited. Final reports are due by October 31, 2026.

For program questions, applicants should contact Kayla Schweitzer at kayla.m.schweitzer@dncr.nh.gov or 603-271-0795. Accessibility support is available through Emily Killinger at emily.r.killinger@dncr.nh.gov or 603-271-0790.