2018-2019 Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grants Announced

The NH State Council on the Arts is thrilled to announce the awarding of Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grants to 5 Master and Apprentice teams. Apprenticeship grants help communities preserve their cultural heritage through traditional crafts, music, and dance so that future generations can continue to benefit from them. Apprenticeship grants fund a master traditional artist to teach an experienced apprentice in one-to-one sessions over a period of six to ten months. Nearly every state in the US has an apprenticeship program that is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Here are the 2018-2019 Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Teams:

Photo: Sylvia and Anne practicing accordion music at Sylvia's home in Concord.
Photo by Kayla Schweitzer.







Accordion Music of New England and Scotland

Master Artist: Sylvia Miskoe (Concord, NH)

Apprentice: Anne Baier (Bow, NH)



Photo: Cinnamon Teal Decoy by Fred Dolan.
Photo submitted by Fred Dolan.







Decoy Carving & Painting

Master Artist: Fred Dolan (Strafford, NH)

Apprentice: Paul Spencer (Rochester, NH)



Photo: Sarah May and R.P. at press – "Field printing," Hillsboro 2016.

Photo submitted by R.P. Hale. 

Letterpress Printing

Master Artist: R.P. Hale (Concord, NH)

Apprentice: Sarah May Schultz (Epsom, NH)

Photo: St. Nicholas, Miracle Worker Icon by Marina Forbes, 2016.
Photo submitted by Marina Forbes.

Russian Iconography Painting



Master Artist: Marina Forbes (Rochester, NH)

Apprentice: Sister Fran DeMers (Manchester, NH)





Photo: German "Masterpiece" padlock with key
by Kevin Moreau, 2013. Photo submitted by Kevin Moreau.





Blacksmithing (focus on pre-industrial handmade locks)



Master Artist: Kevin Moreau (Brattleboro, VT)

Apprentice: Thomas Boucher (Northwood, NH)



New Hampshire Folk and Traditional Arts Lesson Plans

Granite State Arts Academy students performing a Traditional Indian Dance during the culmination of an Artist in Residence Program with Master Artist Jasmine Shah.

Deeply rooted within the New Hampshire landscape, traditional arts have been passed on and preserved beginning with our indigenous communities through European settlement to the newly emerging New American and ethnic communities of today. All of us belong to communities or groups that have something in common--a language, a geographic area, an ethnic heritage, a religion, an occupation, or a way of life. Each group, both old and new, express their own traditions, arts, music, crafts, stories, and values that are a vital piece of New Hampshire’s living cultural heritage. Traditional arts connect us to our past, encourage respect and appreciation for diverse cultures and traditions, build strong communities, and cultivate cultural assets. As society and communities continue to evolve, it becomes more and more important to celebrate and learn about our traditions.


Nelson Elementary School Students learning about Albert Quigley and his impact in Nelson by Master Artists Allison and Hunt Smith and Harvey Tolman.

To help our youngest residents learn about a wide range of traditional arts that are practiced in the Granite State, the N.H. State Council on the Arts’ Heritage and Traditional Arts Program developed the Folk and Traditional Arts Lesson Plans to increase the awareness and appreciation of local art forms and cultural traditions through K-12 connections. Designed for 4th and 5th grade classroom teachers who have no prior experience in the arts, the lessons focus on a wide range of traditional art forms including French-Canadian Music and Culture, Contra Dancing, Fly Tying, Abenaki Beadwork, Bhutanese Folk Arts and much more.

Master Artist Alice Ogden teaching basket weaving to students at Holderness Central School.

Sharing the cultural and artistic traditions of a community offers opportunities for youth to engage in hands on learning, make connections to their own culture as well as others, develop empathy and understanding for diverse cultural expressions and affirms what makes their own community and New Hampshire a distinct place to live. These interdisciplinary connections and skills can be used to support the curriculum of other subjects including social studies, language arts, geography, earth science, mathematics and - of course - visual arts, music, dance and theatre, thus providing a more meaningful and successful foundation for engaged citizens. 

Students working together to spin wool during a lesson at Weston Elementary School in Manchester.



To access the NHSCA’s Folk and Traditional Arts lesson plans, please visit the NH Folklife website and click on the Learning Center. We welcome your feedback as you implement these lessons!

In Memoriam

Linda Morley Szainer (February 22, 1940 - May 16, 2018)

The NH State Council on the Arts is saddened to hear of the passing of Linda Morley Szainer, our first traditional arts coordinator. We would like to acknowledge and extend our gratitude for Linda’s early and crucial contributions to establishing both the NH State Council on the Arts and our Traditional Arts Program. Her community involvement and efforts elevated public visibility and support of traditional arts and artists in New Hampshire and New England.

Please read Linda's obituary and sign the guestbook here: http://www.goodwinfh.com/obituaries/?slug=linda-morley-szainer-portsmouth/244

Ellis Hatch Jr. (November 28, 1931 - May 17, 2018)

NH Master Traditional Artist and 2003 Governor Arts Awards Folk Heritage Award Recipient Ellis Hatch, Jr., has passed away. As a world-renowned fly tyer, he dedicated his life to perpetuating the art of fly tying in the State of New Hampshire and beyond. His undying spirit and enthusiasm for the history and lore of fly fishing made him an icon for those who sought to improve their skill. He will be sorely missed in both the fly tying and traditional arts communities.

Please read Ellis’s obituary here and sign the guestbook: http://www.edgerlyfh.com/obituary/ellis-hatch-jr

NHSCA FY19 Grant Opportunities & Upcoming Events

Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grants assist communities to preserve their cultural heritage through traditional crafts, dance and music by funding a master traditional artist to teach an experienced apprentice in one-to-one sessions.
Deadline: July 6, 2018

Traditional Arts & Folklife Listing a juried listing of traditional artists, community scholars and folklorists who are available for presentations, demonstrations, lectures, performances and workshops on aspects of heritage and traditional arts of New Hampshire.
Deadline: Rolling


Artist in Residence (AIR) Grants fund artist residencies that bring juried teaching artists into classrooms and public schools to support creative learning and skills development in the arts. 
Deadline: April 6, 2018

Youth Arts Project Grants fund high-quality arts and cultural programs that encourage creativity, develop new skills and foster success for young people beyond the normal school day.
Deadline: April 13, 2018


General Project Grants for Community Engagement help not-for-profit organizations, Main Street Programs, municipalities, and schools bring arts presentations and activities into communities to enhance the quality of life for citizens, attract visitors, and help stimulate local economies through the arts.
Deadline: July 27, 2018

Upcoming NH State Council on the Arts Events
        Grant Workshops

Each year, the NH State Council on the Arts offers grant information workshops. These sessions are designed for both new and former applicants. NHSCA staff will present an overview of the State Arts Council's programs and the latest information on grants, including changes to the State Arts Council's grant guidelines and the services offered by the NH State Council on the Arts. Grant Information Workshops: Tuesday, February 20, 2018, 1:00-2:00 pm, Rochester Performance and Arts Center, 32 North Main Street, Rochester  Thursday, February 22, 2018, 1:00-2:00 pm, The Currier Museum, 150 Ash Street, Manchester - FULL, wait listing Tuesday, February 27, 2018, 12:30-1:30pm, North Conway Music Center, 1976 White Mountain Highway, North Conway Thursday, March 1, 2018, 11:30 am-12:30pm, The Library Arts Center, 58 North Main Street, Newport What you will learn: Who is eligible to apply What the NHSCA funds What grant programs are available and their deadlines How to use the online grant system The application and panel process The NH State Council on the Arts has a variety of grants available for 2019 fiscal year. Come and meet NHSCA staff and learn about our grant programs. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Click here to register for Rochester Click here to register for Manchester - FULL, wait listing Click here to register for North Conway Click here to register for Newport For more information contact our office at (603) 271-2789.

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