Francis
Beaulieu
Submitted:
April 15, 2024
Awarded
: $
2000
Contact Information:
Francis
Beaulieu
7986, rue Saint-Denis
Montréal
QC
H2R 2G1
Canada
5142769676
Reference 1:
Zoe Weiss
Reference 2:
Elinor Frey
Summary of Submitted Materials:
Submitted Documents:
Submitted Recordings:
Committee Notes:
Project Description:
Although most of you may know me as a viol maker, I’ve always had an interest in learning the craft of bow making. Until now, however, I never had the opportunity to pursue this avenue. Recently, in a discussion with my esteemed colleague Louis Bégin, I brought up my interest in learning to make bows, and Louis has agreed to take me under his wing, be my mentor and teach me. He has been a world-renowned bowmaker for over forty years, with immense knowledge and great skill. Unfortunately he is aging, has no apprentice, and there is a real risk that his vast experience and expertise could be lost if it is not transmitted. Although Louis has agreed to train me for free, I believe it would be the right thing for me to offer some financial compensation for his time. I have often benefited from his generosity in the past; he’s the one who introduced me to the viol community, who took me under his wing in my early years of viol-making, and who taught me many important lessons. He has also been notoriously generous with the VdGSA in the past, with multiple donations over the years, and giving back to him seems like the proper thing to do. Bowmaking also requires specialized tools which I do not own yet, and costly materials from select suppliers. Thus, I am seeking the assistance of the VdGSA to help me acquire a new set of skills that could potentially benefit all of our community, while providing financial support to one of our valued members who has done so much for all of us.
Request Amount:
$
2000
Total Project Cost:
$
2000
Budget and Additional Funding:
Due to the open-ended nature of this project, it is difficult to come up with an exact cost. Over the next few months or years, I am expecting to spend a significant amount of time working alongside Louis in his workshop, and while he would not ask anything in return, I am still hoping to offer a symbolic compensation of $100 per day. As for tools, as with any highly specialized endeavor, expenses can quickly get out of hand. Thankfully many of my viol-making tools will also be useful, but I will still need some new models of handplanes, specialized knives and chisels, in addition to the wood, hair, and hardware.
I would like to request the maximum amount, which is $2000. Out of this, $1500 will go towards compensating Louis, at the previously stated rate of 100$ per day for 15 days. The remaining $500 will be used for tools and materials. This does not represent in any way the real cost of the project, but merely a starting point for something that could potentially be expanded if Louis’ situation allows for it. If the visits to Louis last beyond 15 days, or if the expenses exceed $500 (both of which are likely to happen), the plan is to fund the project from alternate sources of income, such as my viol-making revenue, future income from bow sales, or by possibly seeking grants from other organizations.
Qualifications:
I have been a viol-maker for almost 20 years, and I have made over 115 instruments. Many people can attest to my precise workmanship and my dedication to my craft. There seem to be very few successors to our beloved-but-aging bowmakers in North America, and I believe I can make very good use of the funds I would receive, and of the precious knowledge these funds would help me acquire.