Texas Folklife’s Apprenticeship Program fosters the continuity of traditional arts in Texas by providing awards of $3000 for artist mentors to train apprentices. Each award supports intensive, one-on-one training for individuals who demonstrate skill for and dedicated commitment to a specific traditional art or cultural practice.
If selected, the artist mentor and apprentice (the “artist team”) will implement the self-designed and directed work plan proposed in the application. Over the course of the program, Texas Folklife will work with the artist team to document its apprenticeship while offering assistance and support. Each artist team will share the results of its apprenticeship in a final public presentation organized in consultation with Texas Folklife.
Since 1987, Texas Folklife has awarded apprenticeships to over 250 artist mentors and apprentices including multiple NEA National Heritage Fellowship recipients.Apprenticeships in the Folk & Traditional Arts provides awards of up to $3,000 for artist mentors to offer intensive training in a specific traditional art form or cultural practice to dedicated apprentices for six to eight months.
Typically meeting eight to twelve hours each month, the artist mentors and apprentices (the “artist teams”) implement self-designed and directed work plans. Texas Folklife offers support over the course of the program and works with the artist teams to document their apprenticeships.
Artist teams present a final public presentation to showcase the results of their apprenticeships with their respective communities. By refining the artist mentor’s approach to their craft, augmenting the apprentice’s skillset and knowledge base, and encouraging cultural transmission within and between communities, the Apprenticeship Program fosters the continuity of traditional arts in Texas.
Click on the links below to apply.
2021 Program Guidelines and Application (Fillable PDF)
