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Missouri is home to one of the oldest, continuous statewide folk arts apprenticeship programs in the U.S., funded since inception by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Missouri Arts Council with support from the Museum of Art & Archaeology at the University of Missouri. In its inaugural year, the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program (TAAP) featured old-time, gospel, blues, and jazz. Soon, the project grew to include objects made by hand. Over forty years later, over one-thousand individual artists in every corner of the state––rural, suburban, and urban centers—have served as mentors and apprentices. Some, like 2026 artists–fiddler Thomas Coriell, rug braider Sharon Hutchinson, and luthier Geoffrey Seitz have participated as both.
Below learn about the six teams who participated in the TAAP 2026 cohort.
Thomas Coriell (Afton) & Zane Ogden (Hannibal), Old-time Fiddle & Rhythm Guitar
Zane and I chat quite a bit about new tunes and how this old-time fiddler would play their version one way and that one a completely different way. Thomas Coriell, from exit survey
Coriell practice old-time fiddling at Ogden’s
home in Hannibal, March 2026. Photo courtesy
of artists.
Smrita Dorairajan & Laya Anand (Columbia), Bharatanatyam
As a mentor I have learnt new techniques and methods to reach the student and was able to refine this over the program. Smrita Dorairajan, from exit survey
Smrita Dorairajan pose in the mentor’s
dance studio during a March 2026 lesson.
Photo courtesy of artists.
Sharon Hutchinson & Alexandra Hutchinson (Salisbury), Braided Rugs
It’s a great feeling to know that the skillset of making braided rugs will not pass on with me. Sharon Hutchinson, from exit survey
how to stitch the wool braids together for a
circular rug while Ali Hutchinson (black top)
discusses the tradition with a visitor during a
drop in event at the Museum of Art & Archaeology
on June 14, 2026, in Columbia. Photo credit:
Deborah A. Bailey
Prasanna Kasthuri (Baldwin) and Hritika Malugu (Ellisville), Bharatanatyam
On the first day of learning this dance [a padham], I sat with my Guru, and he took the time and effort to explain to me not only the choreography, but also the story and emotions behind each movement. Hritika Malugu, from exit survey
Sandhya Pandurangi (St. Charles) & Aditi Seetharaman (Chesterfield), Hindustani Vocals
As a mentor, this apprenticeship with my student brought innovations within me. Sandhya Pandurangi, from exit survey
photo during a June 2, 2026, site visit in Sandhya’s
studio. Aditi is pictured at center; Sandhya is
directing out of the frame; and her family
(l-r: husband Raghu and daughters Ankita
and Amoolya) accompany Aditi.
Geoffrey Seitz (St. Louis) & Joe McCarthy (Ste. Genevieve), Luthiery
The apprenticeship not only opened my eyes to the scope of work involved in violin making but also to the scope of people who need it. Joe McCarthy, from exit survey
a meticulous task to his apprentice during a
site visit in May 2026 at Seitz’s shop. Photo credit:
Deborah A. Bailey