2027 Apprenticeship Program Application

2027 TEXAS FOLKLIFE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM APPLICATION
Welcome!

Thank you for your interest in the Texas Folklife Apprenticeship Program!
This program supports mentor artists and artist apprentices who want to preserve and pass down the living folk and traditional arts, cultural practices, and heritage of Texas communities. Through this partnership, apprentices receive intensive, hands-on training from a recognized master to sustain these vital community traditions for future generations.

Before You Begin

The mentor artist and artist apprentice should complete this application together. Throughout this form, we call you the apprenticeship pair.
Please review the following required resources before starting:
- Program Guidelines, Eligibility & FAQ: Apprenticeship Program Guidelines
- Application Preview: Download the Application Questions PDF here
Important Eligibility Rules
- Residency: Apprentices must live in Texas. Mentor artists may live in Texas or a neighboring state (Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, or Arkansas).
- Age: There are no age requirements for apprentices or mentor artists.
- Previous Participants: If you participated in the 2026 Texas Folklife Apprenticeship Program, you must wait one year before applying again.
Checklist of Materials to Gather

You may save your progress and return to this form later.
Before you begin, ensure you have gathered:
- Contact information for both artists
- Your written responses (we recommend preparing responses in a separate document first)
- A learning plan and schedule
- A completed budget
- Work samples for both artists
- Contact information for individuals providing letters of support for each artist
- Signatures from both artists
Please ensure you complete every required question and follow all specified word and file limits.

Timeline & Support

The apprenticeship program will run from February 1, 2027 through July 31, 2027.

Application Deadline: November 23, 11:59 PM

Estimated Time to Complete: 4 hours

Questions or Accommodations: Requests may be directed to the Apprenticeship Program Director, Dr. Jeannelle Ramirez at Jramirez@texasfolklife.org.
Is the artist apprentice currently a resident of Texas?
The mentor artist and artist apprentice will complete this application together and provide all required materials before submitting.
Who is the person submitting this form?

MENTOR ARTIST: CONTACT INFORMATION
Mentor Artist's Legal Full Name
Mentor Artist Email
example@example.com
Mentor Artist Phone
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Mentor Artist Mailing Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2
CityState / ProvincePostal / Zip Code
Mentor Artist Preferred Language
Mentor Artist Communication/Accessibility Accommodations Requested

ARTIST APPRENTICE: CONTACT INFORMATION
Artist Apprentice Legal Full Name
Artist Apprentice Email
example@example.com
Artist Apprentice Phone
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Artist Apprentice Mailing Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2
CityState / ProvincePostal / Zip Code
Artist Apprentice Preferred Language
Artist Apprentice Communication/Accessibility Accommodations Requested

APPRENTICESHIP PAIR: TRADITION + CONNECTION

Complete this section together. Reviewers use these answers to understand the tradition, its community importance, your relationship, and why this apprenticeship matters. Answer each question directly and stay within the word limit.
Tradition or art form: What tradition or art form will you work on, and what knowledge, skills, techniques, or repertoire will the apprenticeship focus on? (200 words maximum.)

0/250
Shared community and cultural significance: What community or communities do you belong to together? How does this tradition reflect that community's values, history, identity, or ways of life, and why is it important to continue? (250 words maximum.)

0/250
Why this apprenticeship pair: Why have you chosen to undertake this apprenticeship together? Describe your relationship, any prior experience working or learning together, and what makes this pairing a good fit. (200 words maximum.)

0/250
Continuation and community benefit: How will this apprenticeship help continue the tradition and benefit the community? (200 words maximum.)

0/250

MENTOR ARTIST: EXPERIENCE, TEACHING + GOALS

The mentor artist should answer this section. Be specific about your experience, your standing in the tradition and community, how you teach, and what you hope to accomplish.
What is your experience as an artist in this tradition? Please include any training, recognition, awards, or accomplishments.

0/250
What is your experience as a teaching artist or mentor? Either specifically in this particular artform or as a teaching artist generally?

0/250
What goals do you have for yourself as a mentor in this apprenticeship program? What do you hope to pass on to your apprentice?

0/250

ARTIST APPRENTICE: EXPERIENCE, GOALS, + COMMITMENT

The artist apprentice should answer this section. Explain what you already know, what you want to learn, how you will stay committed, and how you plan to use the learning after the program.
What is your current skill level and experience with the particular artform or practice you are planning to work on in this apprenticeship program? Include examples demonstrating your commitment to this artform or practice.

0/500
What are you hoping to learn from this apprenticeship?

0/250
What are your plans (with regards to this artform or practice) after this apprenticeship?

0/250

LEARNING PLAN + SCHEDULE

Complete this section together. Give reviewers a realistic plan for what the artist apprentice will learn, how the mentor artist will teach it, when you will meet, and where the learning will happen. The apprenticeship program will run from February 1, 2027 through July 31, 2027.
Teaching and learning approach: How will the mentor artist teach? How does the artist apprentice learn best? What methods, techniques, tools, or materials will you use? (250 words maximum.)

0/250
Learning goals and milestones: Identify 3–5 major learning milestones. For each milestone, explain what the artist apprentice will learn, how the mentor artist will teach it, and what will show that the milestone has been completed. (500 words maximum.)

0/500
Typical length of each learning session
Total contact hours must be at least 30
Approximate number of learning sessions
Total contact hours must be at least 30
Please elaborate on how the apprenticeship hours will be broken down and why you chose that particular number.

0/250
Primary learning location

Other
Secondary / additional learning location

Other
Please provide more details on your primary learning location. If you have chosen virtual, you must explain why and how you will address the challenges of virtual mentorship

0/200

APPRENTICESHIP PAIR: PUBLIC PRESENTATION

The public presentation is required for all apprenticeship pairs.
Describe a realistic event or activity that you will organize, which allows community members to experience or learn about the tradition. Alternately, you may choose to participate in a Texas Folklife virtual showcase. If so, please describe what you would present in a virtual showcase.”
Public presentation preference
Public presentation plan: Describe what the apprenticeship pair will share, the proposed format, intended audience, and how community members will participate or benefit. Please include a likely location or online platform, possible timing, and how you will promote the event. If applicable, include accessibility or language-access considerations.

0/500

APPRENTICESHIP PAIR: BUDGET SPREADSHEET
Budget instructions: Using the provided budget template document or the fillable spreadsheet down below, please provide a proposed budget for a $3,000 apprenticeship award.

Please note that final award amounts may vary and you will be asked to submit a revised budget if you are accepted into the program.

Download Template: Download the Budget Template Spreadsheet Here

⚠️ Important: You must download it to your computer before entering your information. Do not request edit access to the master document.

Allowable expenses:
- Lesson fees for the mentor
- Materials, instruments, and supplies
- Travel expenses for apprenticeship meetings or presentations (e.g. gas, mileage, flights, train tickets, bus tickets, rental cars)
- Artist fees for collaborators in a public presentation (e.g other band members)
Unallowable expenses
- Food, alcoholic beverages
- Travel unrelated to the apprenticeship meetings or presentations, including travel expenses for third parties that are not part of the public presentation
- Out of state travel, except for apprentices with an out-of-state mentor in a neighboring US state
- Travel out of the country (e.g. to neighboring Mexican states)

APPRENTICESHIP PAIR BUDGET SPREADSHEET

Rows	Category	Cost	Explanation
Budget Expense
Budget Expense
Budget Expense
Budget Expense
Budget Expense
Budget Expense
Budget Expense
Budget Expense
Budget Expense
Budget Expense
Budget Expense
Budget Expense
Budget Expense
Budget Expense
Budget Expense

Completed apprenticeship budget

If you downloaded the Budget template, please upload it here.
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MENTOR ARTIST: WORK SAMPLES
Mentor Artist Work Sample Instructions:

Please provide three (3) work samples that provide a representation of your work.

Music - video or audio clips, no more than 2 minutes per clip

Dance - video clips, no more than 2 minutes per clip

Storytelling - text and/or video. video clips, no more than 2 minutes per clip. Text should be in PDF format and must not exceed 10 pages total.

Visual Art - photos and/or video clips. Each work sample must be a single image or video. Video must not exceed 2 minutes each.

Foodways - photos and/or video clips. Each work sample must be a single image or video. Video must not exceed 2 minutes each.

Other - photos and/or video clips. Each work sample must be a single image or video. Video must not exceed 2 minutes each.

Format
Two options:
- Share a link to the video or audio sample
  The audio or video should be hosted on a public platform such as Youtube, Vimeo, or Soundcloud.
- Share a Google Drive or Dropbox link.
- PDFs or Images may be uploaded directly below.
  Note: If you are uploading directly, please write “n/a” in the “accessible URL” question
DO NOT UPLOAD VIDEO OR AUDIO. You will receive an error message

Each work sample must include:
- Title
- Year
- Description - please explain what this work is and how it connects to your focus in this apprenticeship program
- List of artists or collaborators included
Please test all any Dropbox or Google Drive links on private browsing mode or incognito before submitting. Confirm that they are set to “public” or “anyone with the link”

Supporting documentation: You may use this space to upload any files that help contextualize your work.
Examples include: press coverage, articles, diagrams, etc..

If you are unsure please reach out to the Apprenticeship Program director with any questions.
Mentor Artist Discipline

Other
Sample 1
Sample 1 Title / Date
Sample 1 Format
Sample 1 Start Time
Sample 1 Stop Time
Sample 1 Mentor Artist Role
Sample 1 Accessible URL
Sample 1 Description: Please explain what this work is and how it connects to your focus in this apprenticeship program
Sample 1: Please list any artist or collaborated included
Sample 1 File Upload

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Sample 2
Sample 2 Title
Sample 2 Year
Sample 2 Format
Sample 2 Start Time
Sample 2 Stop Time
Sample 2 Mentor Artist Role
Sample 2 Accessible URL
Sample 2 Description: Please explain what this work is and how it connects to your focus in this apprenticeship program
Sample 2: Please list any artist or collaborated included
Sample 2 File Upload

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Sample 3
Sample 3 Title
Sample 3 Year
Sample 3 Format
Sample 3 Start Time
Sample 3 Stop Time
Sample 3 Mentor Artist Role
Sample 3 Accessible URL
Sample 3 Description: Please explain what this work is and how it connects to your focus in this apprenticeship program
Sample 3: Please list any artist or collaborated included
Sample 3 File Upload

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ARTIST APPRENTICE: WORK SAMPLES
Artist Apprentice Work Sample Instructions:

Please provide two (2) work samples that provide a representation of your work.

Music - video or audio clips, no more than 2 minutes per clip

Dance - video clips, no more than 2 minutes per clip

Storytelling - text and/or video. video clips, no more than 2 minutes per clip. Text should be in PDF format and must not exceed 10 pages total.

Visual Art - photos and/or video clips. Each work sample must be a single image or video. Video must not exceed 2 minutes each.

Foodways - photos and/or video clips. Each work sample must be a single image or video. Video must not exceed 2 minutes each.

Other - photos and/or video clips. Each work sample must be a single image or video. Video must not exceed 2 minutes each.

Format
Two options:
- Share a link to the video or audio sample
  The audio or video should be hosted on a public platform such as Youtube, Vimeo, or Soundcloud.
- Share a Google Drive or Dropbox link.
- PDFs or Images may be uploaded directly below.
  Note: If you are uploading directly, please write “n/a” in the “accessible URL” question
DO NOT UPLOAD VIDEO OR AUDIO. You will receive an error message

Each work sample must include:
- Title
- Year
- Description - please explain what this work is and how it connects to your focus in this apprenticeship program
- List of artists or collaborators included
Please test all any Dropbox or Google Drive links on private browsing mode or incognito before submitting. Confirm that they are set to “public” or “anyone with the link”

Supporting documentation: You may use this space to upload any files that help contextualize your work.
Examples include: press coverage, articles, diagrams, etc..

If you are unsure please reach out to the Apprenticeship Program director with any questions.
Artist apprentice discipline

Other
Sample 1
Sample 1 Title
Sample 1 Year
Sample 1 Artist Apprentice's Role
Sample 1 Start Time
Sample 1 Stop Time
Sample 1 Format
Sample 1 Accessible URL
Sample 1 Description: Please explain what this work is and how it connects to your focus in this apprenticeship program
Sample 1: Please list any artist or collaborated included
Sample 1 File Upload

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Sample 2
Sample 2 Title
Sample 2 Year
Sample 2 Artist Apprentice's Role
Sample 2 Start Time
Sample 1 Stop Time
Sample 2 Format
Sample 2 Accessible URL
Sample 2 Description: Please explain what this work is and how it connects to your focus in this apprenticeship program
Sample 2: Please list any artist or collaborated included
Sample 2 file upload

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Supporting documentation upload

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Supporting documentation description
Artist Apprentice Link Access Confirmation

MENTOR ARTIST: REFERENCE CONTACT
To complete this section, please provide the contact details for one person who can act as a reference for the mentor artist. This should be someone who can speak to their mastery of their traditional art form, teaching ability, artistic character, and/or their commitment to preserving their community’s traditions.

How to Submit: Do not upload reference letters directly to this application. Instead, please share this Recommender Form Link with your reference so they can complete it.

If your recommender experiences technical difficulties and is unable to use the online form, they may email their recommendation directly to the program team.

Note: To ensure authenticity, the recommendation must be sent directly by the recommender. Submissions forwarded or uploaded by the applicant pair will not be accepted.
Mentor Artist's Reference:

First NameLast Name
Reference Email:
example@example.com
Relationship to Mentor Artist

ARTIST APPRENTICE: REFERENCE CONTACT
To complete this section, please provide the contact details for one person who can act as a reference for the artist apprentice. This should be someone who can speak to their dedication to learning this tradition, their reliability, their artistic potential, and/or their active care for their community’s heritage.

How to Submit: Do not upload reference letters directly to this application. Instead, please share this Recommender Form Link with your reference so they can complete it. If your recommender experiences technical difficulties and is unable to use the online form, they may email their recommendation directly to the program team.

Note: To ensure authenticity, the recommendation must be sent directly by the recommender. Submissions forwarded or uploaded by the applicant pair will not be accepted.
Artist Apprentice's Reference:

First NameLast Name
Reference Email:
example@example.com
Relationship to Artist Apprentice

CONSENT, CERTIFICATION, AND SUBMIT
By signing, the mentor artist and artist apprentice confirm that the information in this application is complete and accurate, that both people helped prepare it, and that both understand the program requirements.
Application Review Permission
Future Permission to Contact
Should be Empty:

2027 TEXAS FOLKLIFE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM APPLICATION

Welcome!

MENTOR ARTIST: CONTACT INFORMATION

ARTIST APPRENTICE: CONTACT INFORMATION

APPRENTICESHIP PAIR: TRADITION + CONNECTION

MENTOR ARTIST: EXPERIENCE, TEACHING + GOALS

ARTIST APPRENTICE: EXPERIENCE, GOALS, + COMMITMENT

LEARNING PLAN + SCHEDULE

APPRENTICESHIP PAIR: PUBLIC PRESENTATION

APPRENTICESHIP PAIR: BUDGET SPREADSHEET

MENTOR ARTIST: WORK SAMPLES

Sample 1

Sample 2

Sample 3

ARTIST APPRENTICE: WORK SAMPLES

Sample 1

Sample 2

MENTOR ARTIST: REFERENCE CONTACT

ARTIST APPRENTICE: REFERENCE CONTACT

CONSENT, CERTIFICATION, AND SUBMIT