Artisan Scholarship Program
The French-American Cultural Foundation’s Artisan Scholarship Program was created to preserve and revive the practice of traditional crafts while promoting international cooperation between French and American artisans, craftsmen, curators, and conservators.
In 2007, the Artisan Scholarship Program will launch the first Watin Gilding Prize, a scholarship created exclusively for gilders. A committee of experts will choose a recipient from each country to work abroad in a master gilder’s atelier. As the Artisan Scholarship Program grows, grants will be expanded to include other artisanal disciplines.
Mission Statement
The following are the goals of the Artisan Scholarship Program:
- To promote the study and revival of ancient craft trades for apprentices and working artisans.
- Provide craft and conservation skills through continuing education that will support artistic understanding and encourage the spread of both French and American traditional techniques internationally.
- To explore the differences in conservation education between the two countries, as well as the roles of government support, certification, and professional organizations.
- To develop sustainable professional, and cultural connections among artisans worldwide.
Watin Gilding Prize
The Watin Gilding Prize was established through the fundraising efforts of the French-American Cultural Foundation. Born in 1728, Jean Felix Watin worked as a master gilder and interior designer in Paris throughout his life. Watin became one of the most celebrated experts on French décor after publishing his manual L’Art du peintre, doreur, et vernisseur (The Art of the Painter, Gilder, and Varnisher) in 1772. The book remains a classic of design literature and continues to be reprinted in multiple languages today.
The recipient of the Watin Gilding Prize will receive an invaluable experience working for three to six months in an atelier that promotes a bilateral exchange of ideas, techniques, and philosophies. S/he will receive a stipend to cover housing and living expenses for the duration of the apprenticeship. The recipient will visit local sites, tour museums, travel to other ateliers, and further their knowledge of gilding and conservation. Upon completion of the training, the recipients will be asked to give an oral presentation and provide a written report to the Artisan Scholarship Committee discussing their time abroad and how they have benefited from their newly acquired skills.
Requirements
The Prize recipient must be an American citizen. Ideally, s/he will have already completed a minimum of 4 years training in the field of gilding. The committee will be looking for someone with demonstrated skill as well as a strong desire to make an earnest contribution to the gilding profession. Applicants will also be chosen based on the committee’s assessment of their interest for cultural exchange.
While fluency in French is not required, some basic language abilities would be helpful.
Although the recipient is responsible for obtaining his/her own passport, the French-American Cultural Foundation will facilitate the visa process.
Application
Applications and all supporting materials must be postmarked by January 31, 2007. Successful candidates will be notified after February 15, 2007.
Download the Application and Submission Guidelines: www.f-acf.org/scholarshipapplication.pdf
Please send the applications and all materials to:
Marla Moffet
Director of Development & Operations
French-American Cultural Foundation
4101 Reservoir Road, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20007
Tel: 202.944.6234
Fax: 202.944.6043
moffet@f-acf.org
Download the Scholarship Application Form - PDF
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ