Mentorships, Residencies, & Internships

Our Traditional Craft Mentorship Program is an opportunity for emerging artists to spend time at the Folk School learning from accomplished craft makers, instructors, and mentors. Small groups of participants join in focused sessions that enhance their interests, knowledge, and skills in traditional Appalachian craft, music, or dance.

Alongside craft instruction, mentors will delve into the historic and cultural context of their subject area. Participants can expect to learn new techniques and come to understand the relevancy of their craft in the Appalachian region.

Mentorships are tuition-free learning opportunities. Selected applications are given room and board at no cost and are awarded a stipend to help with travel and materials. 

Applications for our 2024 Mentorship program are now closed.

The Artist in Residence Program at Olive’s Porch is a grant-funded opportunity for early to mid-career artists to spend four months in Murphy and Brasstown, North Carolina focusing on their craft while working within and building community. 

Participants will live on the Folk School campus and have access to a studio at Olive’s Porch, a new community-focused space in downtown Murphy.  

The residency will provide ample time for creative practice and opportunities to engage and inspire through demonstrations, conversations, and collaborations. 

Building on one of the original goals of our founders, Olive Dame Campbell and Marguerite Butler, this opportunity is focused on traditional Appalachian craft, music, and dance and aims to support the next generation of tradition bearers, keeping alive time-honored practices. We hope to foster a creative space where folks can build relationships that will carry beyond their time in the studio. 

The residency provides housing and meals and a $2400 stipend. Artists will focus on honing their craft, with scheduled public engagement through demonstrations or open studio time. Artists will have access to additional paid teaching opportunities and the ability to sell their work. 

Applications for our 2023 Artist in Residence Program have closed. We’ll have more information soon about 2023 participants and applications for the 2024 program.

For those looking to gain practical and hands-on cultivation experience, the Folk School offers a Garden Internship program.

From March-October each year, one intern will assist our Gardener Jason Ebinger in developing and implementing season-long plans for the Folk School’s garden, leading participants in the Work Study program, and performing overall maintenance. 

The Folk School’s garden produces a diverse array of crops and supports the programming of many classes and studios with dye plants, broom corn, basket willow, and more. 

The right candidate will be able to create a unique opportunity for themselves, shaping the internship based on their personal interests. Compensation includes a monthly stipend, room and board, and a class resource. 

Ideally, candidates will be available for the full eight-month period, but applicants only available for a portion of that time may apply as well.  

Applications for our 2023 Garden Internship have closed. More information will be shared here soon.