“Folk Art Education Re-Envisioned: Teaching Traditional Handcrafting in a Technological World” is an in-depth training opportunity for folk and traditional artists to learn the best techniques for presenting online classes and demonstrations. Offered in partnership with the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, the two-day workshop will provide participants an opportunity to learn from fellow artists who have successfully made the transition to online teaching and to learn key skills from the staff at the Vesterheim’s Folk Art School. The program is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Timeline
May 7, 2021 – Deadline to Submit Applications
Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m., May 7, 2021.
May 14, 2021 – Selection Announcement
Applicants will be notified of selection decisions no later than May 14, 2021.
June 26 and July 20, 2021 – Program Dates
The program will take place online on Saturday, June 26, and Tuesday, July 20, 2021.
The Program
“Folk Art Education Re-Envisioned: Teaching Traditional Handcrafting in a Technological World” is a professional development opportunity for up to 25 folk and traditional artists. During the Saturday morning session on June 26, participants will meet other folk artists and learn how they effectively adapted their teaching for an online platform. Afterward, staff from the Vesterheim’s Folk Art School will share some of the best examples of supplemental teaching materials folk art instructors have curated thus far. Staff will then provide more detailed instruction on how to use simple technology to produce quality video content.
Participating artists will have the opportunity to practice using the equipment on their own. Artists will then reconvene for another session in July to discuss any issues or questions that may have arisen. As part of their participation in the program, artists will be asked to produce video content for use by K-12 classroom teachers to bring folk art into their classroom. These videos will be shared by both Vesterheim and the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Individuals who do not meet these requirements are not eligible for the program.
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Individual, handcrafting folk and traditional artist
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Either legal Iowa residents as defined by Iowa Code 422.4 and Iowa Administrative Code 701.38.17 (422) or residents from other states that are actively teaching for Vesterheim Folk Art School and are invited by Vesterheim staff to apply
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18 years of age or older
Program Benefits
Participation and Equipment Purchase Stipend
In addition to the training opportunities provided by the program, each participating folk artist will receive a $600 stipend for their time to participate in the program; to purchase the necessary equipment that will be used during the program; and to produce video content for use by K-12 classroom teachers to bring folk art into their classroom. Folk artists will be provided with a list of recommended equipment to purchase prior to June 26th.
Program Expectations
Each folk artist will be expected to actively participate in both days of training; spend the necessary time in between training practicing with the equipment; and produce one video that will be shared on Vesterheim and Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs websites.
Online Application Submission
Applicants must submit an application via the Iowa Arts Council’s SlideRoom, an online application portal. Applications will not be accepted in any other format. Late, incomplete or ineligible applications will not be accepted. Applicants can access the current online application requirements at iowaartscouncil.slideroom.com. Applicants must create a login to view the full application requirements for the program. Applicants can visit help.liaisonedu.com for technical assistance related to the online submission.
Panel Review
Applications determined to be eligible will be referred to a review by a panel with appropriate expertise commensurate to the purpose of the professional development program. Applications are reviewed and ranked based on the published scoring rubric. The panel will select applicants to participate in the program based on their scores. Decisions of the panel are final and may not be appealed due to dissatisfaction.
Decision Notification
Applicants will be notified of decisions via email by May 14, 2021. Applicants are notified of the status of their application whether they are or are not selected to participate. Applicants will be contacted if any additional information is required and are encouraged to refrain from contacting staff for application status updates until final decisions are made.
Application Questions and Scoring Rubric
Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria. The rubric is on a scale of 18 points. Application questions are for reference only. Applicants must review and complete application requirements in the SlideRoom portal.
Folk Art Training
Describe how you learned your craft and list any influential folk art teachers.
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FOLK ART TRAINING: 3 Points Possible |
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3 Clearly demonstrates a wide depth of folk art educational experiences. |
2 Demonstrates some folk art educational experiences. |
1 Folk art educational experiences are unclear or insufficient. |
Interest in Program
Describe what inspired you to apply for this program and any other experiences you have had that would make you an excellent candidate for this program.
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INTEREST IN PROGRAM: 3 Points Possible |
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3 Clearly demonstrates a strong commitment to participating fully in the training. |
2 Demonstrates a commitment to participating fully in the training. |
1 Commitment to participating fully in the training is unclear. |
Teaching and Folk Art
Describe your teaching as it relates to the transmission of folk art and cultures and how it would benefit from participation in the training.
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TEACHING & FOLK ART EXPERIENCE: 3 Points Possible |
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3 Clearly demonstrates need and illustrates with specific examples how participation in training will benefit their teaching and the transmission of folk art and cultures. |
2 Provides some explanation of need and how participation in the training will benefit their teaching and the transmission of folk art and cultures. |
1 Need is unclear and/or unclear how participation in training will benefit their teaching and the transmission of folk art and cultures. |
Online Teaching Experience
Describe your previous teaching/demonstrating experience and if any of it has been online. If you do not have experience teaching/demonstrating online, describe your willingness and ability to learn how to teach/demonstrate online.
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ONLINE TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 3 Points Possible |
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3 Clearly demonstrates experience teaching/demonstrating online and will benefit from this training opportunity. |
2 Provides some experience teaching/demonstrating online and may benefit from this training opportunity. |
1 Past online teaching/demonstrating experience is unclear and/or unclear how participation in training will benefit the artist’s teaching/demonstrating. |
Work Samples
Provide 1-3 images that demonstrate your work as a folk and traditional artist.
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WORK SAMPLES: 3 Points Possible |
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3 Work samples are of high quality. |
2 Work samples are of average quality. |
1 Work samples are of poor quality. |
Overall application quality
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OVERALL APPLICATION QUALITY: 3 Points Possible |
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3 Applicant has made a clear case for participation in the training program. |
2 Applicant has made an adequate case for participation in the training program. |
1 Applicant’s case for participation in the training program is unclear or inadequate. |
Contact
Potential applicants are encouraged to review all published material and contact Jennie Knoebel at 515-242-6194 or jennie.knoebel@iowa.gov with questions well in advance of the application deadline.
Accessibility
The Iowa Arts Council is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to eligible applicants. For technical support submitting the online application, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator, Lindsay Keast at 515-281-5773 or lindsay.keast@iowa.gov, at least two weeks in advance of application deadlines.
