The Spring 2021 term of the College/Postgraduate Apprentice Training Program is currently postponed due to COVID-19. Sign up for our mailing list for program updates and information about upcoming Apprentice Alumni Artist Talks; check out our events page for other ways to stay connected. Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.
The Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM) invites students, postgraduates, and emerging artists from the U.S. and abroad to apply to the College/Postgraduate Apprentice Training Program (ATP). The ATP is a holistic experience enabling artists to develop skills in screenprinting large-scale repeat patterns on fabric to enhance their studio practice. Apprentices will also participate in the daily studio and museum operations, supporting FWM’s mission of stimulating experimentation and collaboration among leading contemporary artists and sharing the process of creating works of art with the public.
Apprentices have the opportunity to learn advanced screenprinting techniques, including how to create a design by hand on mylar, mix custom colors with fabric pigment, register multiple screens, and print their own one-color and three-color repeat yardages with the support of FWM master printers. Additionally, Apprentices will assist with projects related to studio and print production, visitor services, education and public programming, and the FWM archives. Apprentices will also present a short lecture on their work, visit local cultural organizations, and at times, work with visiting FWM Artists-in-Residence.
This program is specifically designed for artists with a solid studio practice who are interested in benefiting from the unique ethos of a museum with active Artists-in-Residence and a collaborative atmosphere focused on developing craftsmanship and conceptualism. As opposed to a technical program designed for careers in the textile industry, the ATP is focused on enabling artists to develop skills in screenprinting and find ways of integrating fabric into their artmaking.
Over the years, FWM has welcomed a diverse range of candidates working within a wide range of media. Apprentices have come to FWM from nearly every state in the U.S., as well as from Japan, Ghana, South Korea, Denmark, Germany, Scotland, Finland, Kenya, Great Britain, France, India, and China.
Session Dates & Application Deadlines
The following dates are pending government-mandated closures due to COVID-19.
Summer 2021 Applications are now closed, please contact [email protected] with questions.
Fall 2021 Session
September 22 – December 17, 2021
Application Deadline: April 15, 2021
Spring 2022 Session
January 12 – April 1, 2022
Application Deadline: August 15, 2021
Summer 2022 Session
May 25 – August 5, 2022
Application Deadline: January 15, 2022
Application requirements
- Completed application questionnaire
- 20 work samples (label files: “last name-file number”, ex: Parker-01; images and video under 2MB and attached as .jpg, .tiff, or .pdf; videos attached as .avi or .mov)
- Image list with file number, title, date, size, media, and, where applicable, conceptual intent (attached as .pdf or .doc)
- Resume (attached as .pdf or .doc)
- Two letters of recommendation. To email a letter of recommendation: Recommenders (not applicants) must email and attach a PDF of a signed letter of recommendation on letterhead to [email protected] by the application deadline. To mail a letter of recommendation: Mail to The Fabric Workshop and Museum, 1214 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Attn: Ash Limés Castellana, Museum Education Coordinator. Mailed letters must be postmarked by the application deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the costs of the program?
There is a $150 studio fee to cover the costs of materials.
Is it a paid position?
The college/postgraduate apprenticeship is unpaid.
What is the time commitment?
The time commitment is two days a week during Museum hours, Wednesday–Friday 10:00 am–6:00 pm.
Do you have housing for nonlocal apprentices?
Apprentices must find their own accommodations.
How many apprentices are in the program at a time?
There are 4–5 artists during each session of the program.
If I am not a recent art school graduate, am I still eligible for the program?
You can apply even if you’ve been out of school for some time, as long as you are still actively pursuing your career as an artist and can show a portfolio of recent work.
Do I need to have a college education in order to apply?
You do not need to have a college education as long as you have a strong portfolio.
If I am a commercial designer, would I be a good fit?
Because FWM’s mission supports contemporary art and artists, the applicants that we select are commonly focused on applying screenprinting and textiles to their own studio practice while gaining professional museum experience. The hand screenprinting process that FWM teaches isn’t necessarily applicable to commercial design work today.
How long will it be before I hear back about my application?
Typically, we are able to follow up with applicants regarding their status about 3–4 weeks after the application deadline.
Questions? Please contact [email protected] or call 215.561.8888.