Virginia Humanities announced today that applications are open for the Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program.
Projects in music, dance, craft, community storytelling, cultural reclamation, traditional healing, agriculture, foodways, specialty trades, and more are all welcome. Individuals who are experienced in these and other cultural traditions are encouraged to apply in learning teams.
Virginia Folklife Apprenticeships provide funding for an individual who is considered a master of a tradition to train an apprentice (or apprentices) of their choosing. Each team receives $5,000 (mentors receive $4000; apprentices receive $1000).
“Folklife Apprenticeships are an investment in sustaining the cultural knowledge of Virginians.”
Katy Clune
Since 2002, the Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program has supported over 150 teams from a wide range of communities and traditions by providing funding for a year-long, self-designed learning experience. To date, the Virginia Folklife Program has supported close to 350 people practicing traditions as wide-ranging as custom car bodywork, draft horse training, different kinds of cooking, baking and preserving, gunsmithing, auctioneering, instrument building, along with music-making and dancing in styles as wide-ranging and diverse as Virginia’s communities.
“Folklife Apprenticeships are an investment in sustaining the cultural knowledge of Virginians,” said State Folklorist Katy Clune. “Our apprenticeship teams are also often community leaders who share their skills and artistry within their communities for years to come, increasing impact and helping Virginians learn about other Virginians.”
Applications can be found at VirginiaFolklife.org. The deadline to apply is May 5th.
The Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program is supported by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts Folk Arts Program.
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