TO APPLY—2026 Little Tokyo Workshop

This placed-based program gives K–12 educators the opportunity to engage with projects that situate the study of topics and themes in K–12 humanities within sites, areas, or regions of historic and cultural significance. Projects are designed to offer educators a unique and compelling opportunity to deepen and expand their knowledge of the diverse histories, cultures, traditions, languages, and perspectives of the American people. While this program is open to all K–12 educators, the sessions and materials for Little Tokyo: How History Shapes a Community Across Generations are designed primarily for educators who work with grades 6–12.

The program is offered twice in one summer and accommodates 36 educators in each one-week session.

Session 1: June 22–26, 2026

Session 2: July 13–17, 2026

Prior to completing an application to Little Tokyo: How History Shapes a Community Across Generations, please review the project website and consider carefully what is expected in terms of residence and attendance, reading and writing requirements, and general participation in the work of the project.

Participant Stipends, Expectations, and Conditions of Award

Each participant will receive a $1,300 stipend after completing the workshop. This stipend is intended to help compensate participants for their time commitment and to defray the costs of participation in the workshop which may include expenses such as travel, housing, and meals. Stipends are taxable as income.

Applicants who accept an offer to participate are expected to remain during the entire period of the program and to participate in its work on a full time basis while demonstrating respect and upholding the basic norms of civil discourse at all times. If a participant is obliged through special circumstances to depart before the end of the program, a pro rata share of the stipend is received.

Participants are required to submit an assessment of their program experience and its values to their personal and professional development at the conclusion of the program.

How To Apply

Applicants must submit: 

• A completed online application form
• A resume or short biography (not to exceed 1 page)
• An application essay (not to exceed 500 words)

All application materials must be submitted no later than February 28, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

You may submit your resume or biography and application essay in one two ways: If you are using a Google account you may upload materials when prompted on the online application form. Alternatively, you may email your documents to landmarks@janm.org with your first and last name and “application materials” as the subject line.

Your resume or biography should reflect your educational qualifications, professional experience, and interests. 

Suggested Essay Topics

Suggested topics to address in your essay include, but are not limited to: 

• Your intellectual interests as related to the topic of exploring Japanese American history through the community of Little Tokyo in Los Angeles
• Your perspectives, skills, or experiences that would contribute to this workshop
• A description of how participation in this workshop will have a long-term impact on your teaching
• How the Japanese American National Museum’s (JANM’s) mission aligns with your teaching practices or the mission of your school or organization. JANM’s mission is: to promote the understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience. 

Selection Committee and Criteria

Participants will be selected by a committee consisting of three or more members, including the project directors and at least one K-12 classroom teacher. This committee will read and evaluate all properly completed applications.

• At least three spaces per session (six total for the entire program) will be reserved for educators who are new to the profession (five or fewer years teaching experience).
• Preference is given to applicants who would significantly contribute to the diversity and dissemination of the workshop.

Application Notification Procedures

All applicants will be notified of their status via email (whether accepted, waitlisted, or not accepted) on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Participant Acceptance Deadline

Successful applicants must accept or decline their offer by Wednesday, April 15, 2026.