$10,000 Grants Support Mentor-Apprentice Pairs in NC’s Mountain Communities to Preserve Traditional Arts
DURHAM, N.C. (July 15, 2025) – The North Carolina Folklife Institute is excited to announce the opening of the 2025 North Carolina Appalachian Folklife Apprenticeship Program. This program supports year-long, community-based mentorships in the folk and traditional arts of western North Carolina.
This opportunity is part of In These Mountains, an initiative of South Arts.
Each selected mentor-apprentice team will receive a combined $10,000 award to support 12 months of weekly, one-on-one instruction, documentation, and a final public presentation within their community.
What Makes This Program Unique
- Preserves endangered traditions passed down through generations in North Carolina’s Appalachian communities.
- Supports folklife as a living, evolving expression of how communities understand their past, define themselves, and shape their futures.
- Designed for community-centered learning environments, no formal classrooms required.
- Mentorships may begin as early as July 1, 2025, and that time will count retroactively toward the grant, even as awards will be announced later.
Who Can Apply
- Applicants must be 18 years or older and reside in one of North Carolina’s 31 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) counties. For a full list of eligible counties, visit www.arc.gov.
- Mentors should be highly skilled tradition bearers recognized by their community, with demonstrated teaching experience and deep cultural knowledge.
- Apprentices must have prior exposure to the tradition and a strong interest in continuing its practice and sharing it with others.
- Mentor and apprentice teams may include up to three apprentices. Family pairings are welcome.
How to Apply
Applicants should review the full guidelines at www.ncfolk.org and follow the submission instructions provided.
Each application must include:
- A joint work plan with clear, achievable goals
- A description of the final public presentation
- Work samples from both mentor and apprentice (images, audio, video, or links)
Applicants without internet access or who need to submit by mail or email should contact the NC Folklife Institute for assistance at apprenticeship@ncfolk.org or (336) 223-5956.
Important Dates
- Application deadline: July 31, 2025
- Project start date (retroactive): July 1, 2025
- Award announcements: September 2025
- Project period: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
Two or three mentor-apprentice teams will be selected for the 2025 (FY26) cycle.
Redesigned Website Launching Soon!
North Carolina Folklife Institute is also launching a newly redesigned website this month, thanks to generous support from the North Carolina Arts Council. The new site will offer easier navigation, improved application access, and new stories and resources for North Carolina’s cultural communities.
To receive program updates and website launch news, email apprenticeship@ncfolk.org or follow @ncfolk on social media.
About the North Carolina Folklife Institute
For over 50 years, the North Carolina Folklife Institute has helped communities across the state connect their heritage arts and traditions to local development, education, and active citizenship. Learn more at www.ncfolk.org.
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