Launch Your Practice with The Fabric Workshop and Museum’s Apprentice Training Program
We invite college students, recent graduates, emerging artists, and arts educators from across the U.S. and around the world to apply for the Apprentice Training Program (ATP)—a hands-on, immersive experience in screenprinting and collaborative artmaking.
The ATP offers more than just technical instruction—it’s a dynamic opportunity to expand your studio practice, work alongside Artists-in-Residence, and become part of a creative community that values experimentation, collaboration, and craft.
As an Apprentice, you’ll gain in-depth experience screenprinting large-scale, repeat patterns on fabric. Learn how to:
- Design repeat patterns by hand using mylar
- Mix custom water-based textile inks
- Register and print multi-layer designs
- Create both a four-yard, one-color and eight-yard, three-color repeat print
You’ll work closely with FWM’s expert Studio Education Coordinator at every stage, ensuring both skill-building and conceptual growth.
In addition to your own creative development, you’ll play an essential role in the daily operations of the museum and studio—supporting Artist-in-Residence projects, engaging with public programming and education initiatives, and assisting in the archive. Each Apprentice gives a short artist talk and explores Philadelphia’s vibrant cultural scene through guided visits to local organizations.
This program is ideal for artists with an established studio practice who are eager to explore fabric as a medium and engage with a unique institutional model—part museum, part studio—where process is primary. 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 on fabric and adopt it as a tool for personal expression.
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 China, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Japan, Kenya, Scotland, and South Korea.
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.
Questions? Contact collegeapprentice@fabricworkshopandmuseum.org
Session Dates & Application Deadlines
Summer 2025 Session
May 28–August 15, 2025
Fall 2025 Session
September 17–December 12, 2025
Spring 2026 Session
January 14–April 3, 2026
Application Deadline: August 15, 2025
$15.00—Tier 1 applications available: June 1–August 1, 2025, 11:59 pm EST
$25.00—Tier 2 applications available: August 2–8, 2025, 11:59 pm EST
$35.00—Tier 3 applications available: August 9–15, 2025, 11:59 pm EST
Summer 2026 Session
May 27–August 14, 2026
Deadline: January 15, 2026
$15.00—Tier 1 applications available: November 1, 2025–January 1, 2026 11:59 pm EST
$25.00—Tier 2 applications available: January 2–8, 2026 11:59 pm EST
$35.00—Tier 3 applications available: January 9–15, 2026, 11:59 pm EST
Fall 2026 Session
September 16–December 11, 2026
Deadline: April 15, 2026
$15.00—Tier 1 applications available: February 1–April 1, 2026, 11:59 pm EST
$25.00—Tier 2 applications available: April 2–8, 2026, 11:59 pm EST
$35.00—Tier 3 applications available: April 9–15, 2026, 11:59 pm EST
Application requirements
- Completed application questionnaire
a. How did you hear about The Fabric Workshop and Museum? (250 word max)
b. Why would you like to participate in The Fabric Workshop and Museum’s Apprentice Training Program? How will an apprenticeship affect your career goals and enhance your artistic practice? (500 word max)
c. Artist Statement (500 word max) - 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)
a. For large video/audio files please create a PDF file (one for each piece) that includes a video still and hyperlink to your vimeo, dropbox, etc. - Reference list with file number, title, date, size, media, and, where applicable, conceptual intent (attached as .pdf or .doc)
- CV or Resume (attached as .pdf or .doc)
- Two (2) Professional References, must provide: Name, title, phone number, and email address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the costs of the program?
There is a $300 studio fee to cover the costs of materials.
Is it a paid position?
The 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. There is regularly scheduled “homework” to be completed independently by the Apprentice.
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 Apprentices 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 an emerging artist actively pursuing your career 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 4 weeks after the application deadline.
What do you take into consideration when reviewing applications?
As we accept a small cohort of 4–5 Apprentices, we want to make sure that the group will work together holistically and collaboratively. Balancing different mediums, backgrounds and experience levels. It is not required for applicants to have experience in screenprinting or fibers. The apprenticeship is not an artist residency. Applicants who do not know how to screenprint repeat patterns on fabric are preferred.
Why the tiered rate application system?
We’d like to make applying to the Apprentice Training Program more financially accessible. All applications in tiers 1–3 will be reviewed in the same pool for that term. There is no preference related to the date the application is received.
Is the apprenticeship physically demanding?
Yes, however, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:
Frequently required to stand
Frequently required to walk
Continually required to sit
Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
Continually required to talk or hear
Continually utilize visual acuity to operate equipment, read technical information, and/or use a keyboard
Occasionally lift up to 25 pounds
Occasionally work around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals
Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions
Occasionally exposed to loud noise (example: pressure washer)
Questions? Please contact collegeapprentice@fabricworkshopandmuseum.org or call 215.561.8888.