Community Folklife Fellowship

Community Folklife Fellowship

Click Here To Apply Now  
 
The Texas Folklife Community Folklife Fellowship program is a statewide program that provides training in oral history, interviewing, audio storytelling, archives, and podcast production for adults. Participants learn to document community traditions in their own cities and towns throughout the state, through workshops and community partnerships. Fellows receive a stipend and free training in oral history, produce a documentary podcast episode, and present a community workshop in their community.

Since 2022, the program has trained 17 community folklorists throughout nine regions of Texas. You can hear their work on the Folklorist Next Door podcast. 

The 2026 program will start in January 2026 and end in May 2026

We will accept up to 10 fellows. The selection process will involve a committee review. 

Fellowship Stipend 

• Fellows will receive a stipend of $2,500

Application Timeline

• Applications Close – November 1
• Committee Review – Nov 1-15

Who is this program for? 

The CFF is intended for community scholars, e.g. those who do not have formal training in folklore or a similar discipline. The program supports individuals who are dedicated to documenting and preserving the folk and traditional arts or folklife practices within their own communities. 

Eligibility 

• Applicants must reside in Texas
• The project must take place in Texas. The community and practice studied must be in Texas.
• Applicants must not hold an advanced degree in folklore, anthropology, ethnomusicology or a similar field of study. Applicants who hold advanced degrees in unrelated disciplines such as science or law are eligible to apply. 
• Individuals who have previously participated in the Community Folklife Fellowship are not eligible

Expectations

• Fellows are expected to commit to the full duration of the program, including completion of all projects, assignments, and deliverables. Failure to do this will result in removal from the program. 
• Fellows are expected to attend all sessions or review the session recordings. Up to 2 absences will be excused. 

Tentative Program Schedule

**Sessions will take place on Saturday mornings over Zoom **

• January
  • Week 1 – Orientation
  • Week 2 – Folklore Foundations
  • Week 3 – Oral History 
  • Week 4 – Oral History 2
• February – Independent Research and Fieldwork 
• March
  • Week 4 – Transcription & Coding 
  • Week 5 – Writing about Folklore 
  • Week 6 – Audio Storytelling 1 
  • Week 7 – Visual & Multimedia
• April 
  • Week 8 – Audio Storytelling 2
  • Weeks 9-10- Independent work & Office hours
  • Week 11 – 12 – Final Podcast Editing
• May 
  • Listening Party and Podcast Release