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Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grants is sponsored by Wyoming Arts Council. Supports master artists in Wyoming passing on their traditional skills to apprentices through in-person, hands-on instruction in traditions like saddlemaking, beadwork, and cowboy poetry.
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Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grants - WAC Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grants Mentoring Project Grants are designed to support the transmission of Wyoming’s finest Traditional and Folk skills through the natural process of in-person, hands-on instruction.
Traditional Blacksmithing Master Artist David Osmundsen and Apprentice Lauren Phillips Grant Opens: February 9, 2026 Grant Closes: April 6, 2026 Grant Implementation Period: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 Preserving Wyoming’s Cultural Heritage The Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grant supports the preservation and transmission of Wyoming’s rich folk and traditional art forms.
Master artists partner with apprentices to teach time-honored skills through in-person, hands-on instruction, helping keep these cultural traditions alive in Wyoming communities. Mentoring Project Grants are designed to support the transmission of Wyoming’s finest Folk and Traditional Arts and skills through the natural process of in-person, hands-on instruction.
A master artist selects a worthy apprentice to mentor over time in order to advance the skills of the apprentice in their traditional art form or skill. Master and Apprentice apply together and provide information about the art form, their skill level, a project outline and work samples. The mentorship must take place between July 1 and June 30 and projects must be no shorter than six months.
Up to five projects will be selected for funding at $5,000 each ($4000 for the master artist’s honorarium and $1000 for supplies and travel). All project costs over $5,000 must be paid by the award recipients. This grant program is designed to assist masters of folk and traditional arts in passing on their knowledge to eager apprentices from their community through the natural process of in-person, hands-on instruction.
Examples of eligible art forms practiced in Wyoming include, but are not limited to: saddlemaking, cowboy poetry, beading and quill work, quilting, rawhide braiding, pow wow songs and dances, German-Russian Dutch Hop, Mexican ballet folklorico, wood carving, rug braiding, fly tying, taxidermy, and more. Special consideration may be given to first time applicants, endangered art forms, geographic location, or artistic discipline.
Mentor artist and apprentice apply together and include information about the art form, their skill level, a project outline and work samples.. Open to Wyoming-based master artists and apprentices sharing a common cultural group and the art form must reflect the aesthetics of the shared group. In-family mentorships are allowed.
Up to five mentorships are awarded annually at $5,000 each $4,000 for master artist honorarium $1,000 for travel and supplies Master and apprentice must apply together with a project outline and work samples Artists may participate in only one Mentoring Project each year Projects must last a minimum of six months and occur between July 1–June 30 All applications are evaluated by a panel of folklorists, artists, and cultural specialists Special consideration may be given to endangered traditions, new applicants, or rural/underrepresented communities Apprentices must be Wyoming residents for at least two years prior to application Apprentices should have some prior experience with the art form at the time of the application Apprentices must demonstrate a serious long-term commitment to continuing the art form The Wyoming Arts Council board reviews the panel recommendations and makes the final selection of funded projects.
The work of contemporary studio artists or re-creations of historic repertoires or antiques Academic research or formal study toward an academic or professional degree Projects less than six (6) months Before applying, all organizations must review the Wyoming Arts Council’s Grant Guidelines to ensure compliance and understand the application process. The FY27 application will open on February 9, 2026 and close on April 6, 2026.
Application Open : February 9, 2026 Application Close : April 6, 2026 Project Period : July 1 – June 30 Applications are reviewed and evaluated by a panel of cultural specialists, folklorists, artists and Wyoming Arts Council board members using the following criteria: Quality of the work as demonstrated by the support materials of both the master and the apprentice.
How the art form and artists fit within the definition of folk and traditional art. Priority may be given to projects that involve endangered traditions and/or art forms. Commitment of the apprentice to continuing the traditional skills learned.
Feasibility of the proposed work plan. Download a printable copy of the application Accommodations are available for applicants with limited internet or computer access.
Accessing Your Grant Application or Final Report For a new grant application or to access your final report for projects taking place from 7/1/21 to the current fiscal year: The Wyoming Arts Council introduced the Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grants in 2005. Funds originally came from a National Endowment for the Arts Infrastructure grant provided to the Wyoming Arts Council’s Arts Access Grant Program.
Current funding is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts through the Folk Arts Partnership grant. For more information about Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grants please contact the Wyoming Arts Council Folk Arts Program at 307-256-2010 or email joshua. chrysler@wyo.
gov. Previously Funded Folk Art Mentorship Recipients Mexican Ballet Folklorico Master Artist: Alyssa Martinez Apprentice: Idalis Ramirez Higginbottom Beadwork Master Artist: Charles Dewey (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice : TayaAvy Dixey (Eastern Shoshone/Northern Arapaho/Shoshone-Bannock/Cree) Rawhide Braiding Master Artist : Dan Ames Apprentice: Jared Martin Fly Rod Making Master Artist: Joey Puettman Apprentice: Josh Lawrence Traditional Regalia and Ceremonial Accessories Making Master Artist: Rana Mandan (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice: Jenea Mandan (Northern Arapaho) Mexican Ballet Folklorico Master Artist: Rosaura Barrera Apprentice: Maria Fernanda Barrera Peruvian Ballet Folklorico Master Artist: Nicole Cordova Apprentice: Valeriana Gracia Beadwork Master Artist: Mikala SunRhodes-Harry (Northern Arapaho/Jemez Pueblo) Apprentice: Mikaylee Oldcoyote (Northern Arapaho/Jemez Pueblo/Crow) Swedish Dalmåling and Norwegian Rosemaling Master Artist Lisa Sherrodd Apprentice : Paige Gustafson Star Quilt Making Master Artist: Cherokee Brown (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice: Donna Gambler (Northern Arapaho) Hoop Dancing Master Artist: Jasmine Pickner-Bell (Crow Creek Dakota Sioux) Apprentice: Aliyana Joyresa Bell (Crow Creek Dakota Sioux/Northern Arapaho/Oglala Lakota) Western Leatherwork Master Artist: Mark Barcus Apprentice: Cayle Kremer Prairie Chicken Dance Regalia Making Master Artist: Kalen SunRhodes (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice: Colton SunRhodes (Northern Arapaho) Western Leatherwork Master Artist: Amanda Fraker Apprentice : Ryelene Mespelt Northern Arapaho Drum Making Master Artist: Aloysious (Luke) Bell, Jr. (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice : Kane BigLake (Northern Arapaho) Rawhide Braiding Master Artist: Justine Nelson-Graham Apprentice : Carson Martinson Western Saddlemaking Master Artist: John Blair Apprentice : Matt Avery Wool Saddle Pad Making Master Artist: Anita Thatcher Apprentice : Franki Scott Ceremonial Rawhide Rattle Making Master Artist: Darrell Lonebear, Sr (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice : Darrell Lonebear, Jr (Northern Arapaho) Leatherwork Master Artist: Eric Hannig (Navajo) Apprentice: Adonis Sheeley Hoop Dancing Master Artist: Jasmine Pickner Bell (Crow Creek Dakota Sioux) Apprentice: Aloysia Bell (Northern Arapaho/Crow Creek Dakota Sioux) Fully Beaded Cradleboard Making Master Artist : Marcus Dewey (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice: Veronica Miller (Northern Arapaho) Eagle Feather Fan Making Master Artist: Vicki Engavo (Eastern Shoshone) Apprentice : Becky Bercier (Turtle Mountain Chippewa) Big Horn Ram’s Horn Bow Making Master Artist: Rich Singer (Crow) Apprentice : Winslow Friday (Northern Arapaho) Traditional Plains Indian Women’s Dress Making Master Artist: Gloria Runs Close to Lodge-Goggles (Oglala Lakota) Apprentice: Jenn Runs Close to Lodge (Oglala Lakota) Western Saddlemaking Master Artist: Steve Mecum Apprentice: Misty Corlett Traditional Jemez Pueblo Pottery Master Artist: Rose Pecos-SunRhodes (Jemez Pueblo) Apprentice: Jayce OldCoyote (Jemez Pueblo/Northern Arapaho/Crow) Bit and Spur Making Master Artist: Ernie Marsh Apprentice: Amy Erickson Lazy-stitch Style Beadwork Master Artist: Charles Dewey (Northern Arapaho) Apprentice: Lynelle Shakespeare (Northern Arapaho) Traditional Blacksmithing Master Artist: David Osmundsen Apprentice: Lauren Phillips Western Saddlemaking Master Artist: John Blair Apprentice: Matt Avery Elk Teeth Trade-Cloth Dress Making Master Artist: Renee’ Enos-Reed (Eastern Shoshone) Apprentice: DaleRae Green (Eastern Shoshone) Mariachi Music Master Artist: Loree Sanchez Apprentice: Estela Torres Guernsey Leather Carving Master Artist: Robert Poff Apprentice: Marta Maulik Bladesmithing and Damascus Steel Master Artist: Adam DesRosiers Apprentice: Kevin Willey Eastern Shoshone Cradleboard Making Master Artist: Raphaella Stump Apprentice: Ralphalita Stump Traditional Bladesmithing Master Artist: Audra Draper Apprentice: Stan Castagno Wool Saddle Pad Weaving Master Artist: Anita Thatcher Apprentices: Annalissa Purdum & Soleiana Abernathy Quilting Master Artist: Yong Hui Torske Apprentice: Jill Wright Arapaho Warshirt making and beadwork Master Artist: Marcus Dewey Apprentice: James Dewey Arapaho Sweat Lodge songs Master Artist: Darrell Lone Bear, Sr Apprentice: Koleton Lone Bear Western Saddlemaking Master Artist: Andy Stevens Apprentice: Dusty Smith Rawhide braiding Master Artist: Jack Mease Apprentice: Soleiana Abernathy Luthiery (stringed instrument making) Master Artist: Daniel Roberts Apprentice: Miss V Blacksmithing Master Artist: David Osmundsen Apprentice: Michael Landsiedel Eastern Shoshone Dollmaking Master Artist: Ralphaelita Stump Apprentice: Raphaella Stump Arapaho Hand Drum Making Master Artist : Darrell Lone Bear, Sr Apprentice: Koleton Lone Bear Eastern Shoshone Drum Keeper Master Artist: Wayland Bonatsie Apprentice : Quinlin Hernandez Northern Cheyenne-style Beadwork Master Artist: Marcus Dewey Apprentice: Carrie White Antelope Horsehair Hitching Master Artist: Leane Linnell Apprentice: Brook Miller Northern Arapaho Sweat Lodge Songs Master Artist: Darrell Lone Bear, Sr Apprentice: Tyson Lone Bear Bighorn Sheep Ram Bow Master Artist: Tom Lucas Apprentice: Travis Lucas California-style Bit and Spurs Master Artist: Ernie Marsh Apprentice: James Gullion Braided Rawhide Horse Gear Master Artist: Jessie Smith Apprentice: Jeremy Madole Cowboy Leatherwork Master Artist: Niki DeLancy Apprentice : McKenzi Digby Teepee bags/panniers Master Artist: Marcus Dewey Apprentice: Charles Dewey Western Leatherwork Master Artist: Von Ringler Apprentice: Alex Whistler Old-style Intertribal songs Master Artist: Patrick Iron Cloud, Sr. Apprentice: Norman and Sam Iron Cloud Arapaho hand drum making Master Artist: Darrell Lone Bear, Sr. Apprentice: Tyson Lone Bear Rawhide braiding Master Artist : Jack Mease Apprentice: Sally Hovendick Rug braiding Master Artist: Norma M.
Sturges Apprentice: Ellen Sue Blakey Saddle building Master Artist: Keith Duncan Apprentice: Kurt Olson Rug braiding Master Artist: Norma M.
Sturges Apprentice: Ellen Sue Blakey Rawhide making and braiding Master Artist: Nate Wald Apprentice: Caleb French Old-time Fiddling Master Artist: Kelly Wells Apprentice: Kayla Palmer Warrior shirt Master Artist: Elizabeth Jane Brown Apprentice: Danielle Brown Beaded leggings Master Artist: Marcus Dewey Apprentice: Veronica Miller Rams horn bow Master Artist: Tom Lucas Apprentice: Richard Singer Arapaho beaded buckskin dress Master Artist: Annie Sage Apprentice: Janelle Denny E Shoshone Woman’s traditional saddle Master Artist: Joanne Seesequasis Apprentice: Larry McAdams Eastern Shoshone woman’s saddle Master Artist: Charlotte Alley Apprentice: Amanda Alley Jewish and Israeli dance Master Artist: Bea Montross Apprentice: Mary Weinstein Horsehair hitching Master Artist : Richard Gould Apprentice: Leane Linnell Arapaho and Lakota women’s singing Master Artist: Sandra Iron Cloud Apprentice: Rebecca Iron Cloud Rawhide and leather braiding Master Artist: Jack Mease Apprentice: Mila Ready Eastern Shoshone cradleboards Master Artist: Charlotte Alley Apprentice: Lynelle Shakespeare Shoshone Drum making and playing Master Artist: Wayland Bonatsie Apprentice: Quinlin Hernandez Western saddle tree making Master Artist: G.
K.
Fraker Apprentice: Steve Dabbs Plains Indian parfleche Master Artist: Gloria Goggles Apprentice: Jennifer Runs Close to Lodge Rawhide braiding Master Artist: Jack Mease Apprentice: Brenda Hovendick Saddle building Master Artist: Don Butler Apprentice : Tom Stevie Native American willow back rest Master Artist: William Chippewa Apprentice: Patrick Thayer Tatting Master Artist: Mary Maynard Apprentice: Molly Moyer Sheep to shawl Master Artist: Avis Richardson Group apprentice Arapaho beaded buckskin dress Master Artist: Annin Soldier Wolf Apprentice: Cathi Soldier Wolf Round dance songs Master Artist: Sandra Iron Cloud Apprentice: Norman & Sam Iron Cloud Tatting Master Artist: Mary Maynard Apprentice: Molly Moyer Rawhide braiding Master Artist: Jack Mease Apprentice: Michael Stewart Arapaho women’s traditional regalia Master Artist: Annie Sage Apprentice: Veronica Miller Arapaho crafts Master Artist: Annin Soldier Wolf Apprentice: Hista and Echo Soldier Wolf Old-time fiddling Master Artist: Kelly Wells Apprentice: Tally Wells War shields Master Artist: William Chippewa Apprentice: Patrick Thayer Men’s beaded vests Master Artist: Cleo Goggles Apprentice: L inda Goggles Tatting & crochet Master Artist: Mary Maynard Apprentice: Isobel Nichols Rawhide braiding Master Artist: Jack Mease Apprentice: Mike Alley Basket weaving & furniture caning Master Artist: Sally O’Connor Apprentice: Maria Foster Shoshone saddle trappings Master Artist: Reba Jo Teran Apprentice: Georgietta Teran-Acebo Loom weaving Master Artist: Gerald Curcio Apprentice: Judith Harvey Performance knives Master Artist: Ed Fowler Apprentice: Tena Osborne Cowboy music Master Artist: Kevin McNiven Apprentice: Terrell and TeAnna McNiven Old-time fiddling Master Artist: Kelly Wells Apprentice: Coletta Maier Shoshone saddles Master Artist: William Chippewa Apprentice: Reba Teran Shoshone dolls Master Artist: Manfred Guina Apprentice: Reba Teran Shoshone cradleboards Master Artist: Beatrice Haukaas Apprentice: Georgietta Teran Contact Josh Chrysler, Folklorist and Health & Wellness Specialist, below.
Key questions and narrative sections extracted from the solicitation.
Information about the art form
Skill level descriptions for both mentor and apprentice
Project outline/work plan for the mentorship
Scoring criteria used to review proposals for this grant.
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Master artist and apprentice pairs who are Wyoming-based and share a common cultural group. Apprentices must be Wyoming residents for at least 2 years prior to application. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $5,000. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
The published deadline was April 6, 2026, which has passed. Check the official notice for any future application windows before investing time in a proposal.
Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grants is funded by Wyoming Arts Council. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Wyoming. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
The solicitation lists 3 required documents: Completed application form (joint from mentor and apprentice), Work samples demonstrating competency, and Project outline/work plan. Check the official notice for formatting and page-limit rules.
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