Applications for the 2026-2027 cycle are due Wed, April 1, 2026.

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The online application includes three parts: Part A (to be completed by the mentor artist), Part B (to be completed by the apprentice) and Part C (to be completed by both the mentor artist and the apprentice together). Applications are due (by midnight) on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. You can request a review of your online application before March 1, 2026 by emailing folklife@virginiahumanities.org.

If you would prefer a print application or to apply over the phone, please contact program staff at folklife@virginiahumanities.org or (434) 924-3296. We will consider applications submitted in languages other than English.

Preview Application

You may download a Word document to help you prepare your application or preview questions here. The application is also available to preview in Spanish here.

The Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program welcomes applications for apprenticeships in all forms of Virginia’s traditional, expressive culture. The mentor artist and apprentice should both be residents of Virginia. If one of the participants reside outside of Virginia, a compelling case must be made regarding the connection of the applicants to Virginia, and the importance of their proposed traditional skill to Virginia culture. It is also preferred, though not required, that mentors and apprentices belong to the same cultural community.

Minors are allowed to participate as an apprentice, but we require a signed letter of support from a legal guardian of the applicant.

See our FAQs for more details.

Both the mentor artist and the apprentices are strongly encouraged to include photos, audio, video, or other relevant links (to professional websites or social media accounts) that speak to your abilities and introduce the review committee to your work.
We prefer digital work samples. Please upload files or provide links in your online application. Alternatively, if you only have physical samples, you can mail them to the address below. (Support materials will be returned at the conclusion of the review process only upon request.) 

Virginia Humanities 
Re: Folklife Apprenticeship Application 
233 4th St NW, Suite J
Charlottesville, VA 22903

The mentor artist is required to provide a reference for an individual who can speak to their skill in the tradition. This can include a former teacher, a community member, a fellow artist, etc. The application requires a name, phone number and/or email address for this reference. 

A review committee will review and score applications based on the following criteria: 

  • Traditional nature of the proposed art or skill (20%)
  • Expertise of the master artist (20%) 
  • Demonstrated level of commitment by the master artist and the apprentice to the apprenticeship (20%) 
  • Potential impact of the apprenticeship on the continued vitality of the tradition (20%) 
  • Relevance and importance of the tradition to the cultural history of Virginia (10%) 
  • Feasibility of work plan and the coherence of the overall apprenticeship (5%) 
  • Program needs (5%)

Our review committee is comprised of Virginia Folklife staff, an additional Virginia Humanities staff member, an external regional folklife expert, a previous apprenticeship recipient, and potential additional guest reviewers based on the applicant pool.

If your application scored highly but was unsuccessful, we encourage you to resubmit the following year.

2026-2027

  • December 12, 2025 – Application for 2026-2027 Apprenticeship Program cohort opens 
  • March 1, 2026 – Deadline to share draft application with program staff for feedback (questions can be accepted until March 31) 
  • April 1, 2026– Applications due (by midnight) 
  • June 1, 2026 – Applicants will be notified about the committee’s decision by this date 
  • Mid-June 2026 – Public announcement of awards 
  • July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027* – Apprenticeship award period 
  • Summer 2027 into fall – Public events to celebrate completed apprenticeships (TBD based on locations and interest of cohort)

Teams accepted into the Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program must: 

  • Collaborate with Virginia Folklife Program staff to produce documentary materials about the apprenticeship experience and tradition—this includes working with us to schedule interviews and participating in photo and video opportunities. Artists are also required to participate in a public event (summer 2027 and beyond, exact locations and dates to be determined) intended to celebrate and honor their achievements. 
  • Register with the University of Virginia and complete a W-9 to receive payment. Instructions for registering will be provided upon award notification 

Payment schedule: 

  • $5000 awarded per team for a 12-month apprenticeship (Mentor artists receive $4000; Apprentice artists receive $1000; additional funding may be available for supplies). If they prefer, teams are invited to suggest an alternative payment division in their application.
  • 50% will be paid in July 2025, and the remaining 50% will be paid in the final month of the apprenticeship (by June 30, 2026 or earlier) 

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