West Virginia Folklife, a project of the West Virginia Humanities Council, is now accepting applications for its statewide Folklife Apprenticeship Program!

Since 2017, the West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program has supported expert traditional artists working with dedicated apprentices on a yearlong apprenticeship to teach traditional music, dance, craft, foodways, storytelling, and more. This popular program follows the time-tested model of one-to-one teaching so that apprentices may carry on techniques, artistry, stories, and traditional knowledge of communities from throughout the Mountain State. We host this folklife apprenticeship program opportunity every other year, contingent on funding.

Applications are due September 18, 2026 for the 2026-27 program. Follow this link to find the application, guidelines, and instructions for how to apply. Mentors and their proposed apprentices must apply together. Applications will be evaluated by a review panel, and successful applicants will be notified in November 2026.

Teaching artists will receive $3,000, and apprentices $800, for participating in the program. Pairs may request an additional $400 to reimburse for expenses related to their apprenticeship. Folklife apprenticeship pairs design their own work plans, and they are expected to participate in a public presentation, recorded interview, virtual meetings as a cohort with other selected pairs, and a final public showcase.

Due to a reduction in funding this year, we will not be able to accept as many pairs as the previous round. As a result, please expect this round to be competitive. We encourage you to apply!

If you enjoy this program and would like to see it grow, please consider making a sponsored donation for the West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program! See our donation page for more information on how to sponsor the program.

The West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program is facilitated by the West Virginia Folklife Program at the West Virginia Humanities Council. The Folklife Apprenticeship Program is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

For questions about the West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program, contact Jennie Williams at williams@wvhumanities.org or 304-346-8500.

Follow our YouTube channel @WestVirginiaFolklife to watch our past West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship showcases.

Featured image: Judy Van Gundy (left) and her apprentice Andrea Brandon making white oak baskets. Photo by Michael Keller.