CAP is produced by the Maine Crafts Association in partnership with the Maine Arts Commission.
Eligibility
Eligibility requires participants to be at least eighteen years of age, current Maine residents, and apprentices must demonstrate foundational skills in the medium they wish to pursue. The program supports craft artists working in craft media, which does not include photography, painting or drawing. Please contact us if you are unsure if your media qualifies.
Selection Process
Applications are reviewed by a panel of Maine professionals for a first round elimination. The panel also interviews the finalist pairs with awards given to three or more joint applicants.
Honorarium
Both mentor artist and apprentice receive honorariums based on a recommended one hundred hours of one-on-one training ($3000 to the mentor, $1000 to the apprentice). The honorarium for the mentor artist covers their time and transference of knowledge/expertise, while the apprentice’s funds are for supplies/equipment.
Relationship
A majority of the training happens at the mentor artist’s studio. Occasionally they visit other studios or events of relevance to their goals. Although we provide a distinct structure for implementation, MaineCAP also allows for adaptations as the pair sees fit to maximize the experience for each. MaineCAP requires that the pair submit interim and final reports.
Alumni Network
To promote sustainability, the MCA/MAC will invite current participants and alumni to convene annually to discuss outcomes of MaineCAP, as well as to develop networking and foster further mentoring.
2020 Program Exhibition
To close the program, all artists participate in a Capstone exhibition. Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts is the 2020 organizational partner and (was supposed to) host the 2020 CAP Alumni Gathering and 2020 Exhibition, which is now taking place at Maine Craft Portland (due to COVID regulations). Maine Home + Design magazine is the exclusive magazine sponsor.
Masters & Apprentices: Work from Maine’s 2020 Craft Apprentice Program will be on view in the windows of Maine Craft Portland, 221 Congress Street, Portland ME from October 16 – November 15, 2020 with an all day Open House Friday, October 16.
Socially distanced public Open House with the artists Friday, October 16, 10am – 5pm. | Maine Craft Portland.
The exhibition features work created during the seven month apprenticeship by mentor artist/apprentice pairs: Thomas Berger and Anne Alexander (stone carving), Tim Christensen and Jena Merrill (ceramics), J.E. Paterak and Shelby Goldsmith (jewelry), Nisa Smiley and Jennifer Marshall (jewelry) and Chuck Lakin and Clifford Pettitt (woodworking), Kenneth Kortemeier and Will Wheeler (woodworking), Jayne Redman and Barbara Hopkins (jewelry).
