We are now accepting applications for the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program 2027 program year. 

The OFN office is available weekdays 9am - 5pm 

Contact by email: ofn@uoregon.edu or by phone: (541) 346-3820.

STEP 1 - Eligibility Screening

Contact OFN staff to complete an eligibility screening. Be prepared to share with staff your intended project and intended mentor/apprentice. Be ready to talk through the following eligibility requirements below:

• At least one person in the mentor/apprentice pair needs to demonstrate permanent residence in the state of Oregon to apply
• Mentor and apprentice(s) are required to be from the same cultural community (cultural community can be ethnic, occupational, sacred, or regional).
• Cultural appropriation is NOT eligible for this program. Folk-inspired art, which is produced by individuals and groups who are not part of the cultural community that originally developed the artform, will not be considered even if the quality of the art is excellent.
• Awardees cannot apply two years in a row; prior year awardees must sit out for a year before reapplying. This rule also applies to TAAP awardees in the same household. TAAP applicants are not eligible if a household member received an award in the previous year, but everyone in the household will be eligible again after sitting out for a year.

Once staff have verified your eligibility, you will be provided an application. 

STEP 2

Complete the first draft of your application. OFN staff will provide you a blank application to fill out, or will schedule a time to fill out the application along with you via phone or ZOOM call. Please reference the Application Guidelines Document for more information.

STEP 3 (Optional)

This step is optional. If you would like OFN staff to review and provide feedback on a draft of your application, please submit your application for review no later than September 01, 2026. This will allow staff time to provide sufficient feedback and time for you to implement any changes, if needed.

A panel of cultural experts and arts professionals will review, discuss, and score all final applications. OFN staff is committed to assisting all applicants with producing the best quality application for the best possible scoring.

STEP 4

Questions? Email ofn@uoregon.edu or call 541-346-3820.