The Apprenticeship Program was established by the Virginia Folklife Program in 2002 under the leadership of Jon Lohman, who served as state folklorist 2001-2020. Since then, the program has supported 142 apprenticeship teams (a total of 319 artists). We invite you to meet past recipients through this archive of profiles, photos, and videos.
In Good Keeping: Virginia’s Folklife Apprenticeships (2007)
This publication by Jon Lohman and photographer Morgan Miller chronicles the first five years of the program, capturing the masters and apprentices at work. More information.
Real Folk (2020)
Real Folk: Passing on Trades and Traditions of the Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program was an exhibition organized for the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol (March 6–August 2, 2020). The museum produced five video tours in response to the pandemic shutdown. More information.