Mentoring Program for Folklife and Traditional Arts

Funder: New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), Folk Arts Program

Geographic Scope: New York State

A technical assistance program providing funding for consultancies, folk artist mentoring, professional development exchanges, and professional development activities. This is NOT a public workshop or program funding mechanism—it funds direct technical assistance between applicants and mentors.

Program Components:

• Consultancies with folklore professionals
• Folk Artist Mentoring programs
• Professional Development Exchanges
• Professional Development activities

Eligibility:

• Folk artists and folklife professionals
• Organizations working in folk arts and traditional culture
• New York State residents/organizations

What is NOT Funded:

• Public workshops or programs
• Materials or supplies
• Mentor "doing the work" (only technical assistance)

Award Details:

• Consulting fee to mentor: up to $10,000
• Public transportation (specified)
• Auto mileage reimbursement at $0.655/mile
• Lodging costs for meetings
• Turnaround time: 6 weeks normal; expedited available for quick response requests

Contact Information:

• New York Folklore: 129 Jay Street, Schenectady, NY 12305
• P: 518.346.7008 | E: info@nyfolklore.org

Application Process

1. Required Information:
- Applicant name, title/occupation, organization, email, phone, address
- Mentor name, title/occupation, organization, email, phone
- Mentor CV or resume (file upload, max 50 MB)

2. Application Questions:
- Which program component are you applying for? (Consultancies, Folk Artist Mentoring, Professional Development Exchanges, or Professional Development)
- When do you expect to meet with the mentor?
- Detailed description of proposed consultancy/exchange
- Explain why you need the mentor's assistance or professional development exchange
- What do you hope to learn?
- How will the project help with your folklife and traditional arts programs?
- Details of how consultancy/exchange will be carried out (meeting frequency, use of each meeting, detailed work plan with timeline)
- Who will benefit directly from this program?
- Will there be long-term benefits?
- Have you received a grant from NYSCA for this project? (Yes/No)

3. Budget Breakdown:
- Consulting fee (to be paid directly to mentor): $1-$10,000
- Public transportation (specific costs)
- Auto mileage: specify number of miles @ $0.655/mile
- Lodging: specify number of nights and rate per night
- Grand total

4. Quick Response Option:
- Select if expedited response needed (faster than 6 weeks)
- Must explain reason for quick response request

5. Submission: Online application form available at nyfolklore.org/services/mentoring/application-form/