Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How are people selected to come to Haystack?
Workshops at Haystack are open to anyone 18 and over. After the application deadline, a review committee meets to place students in workshops for the summer. Space in each studio is limited and selections are made based upon the need to maintain a diverse student body. Your answers to the questions on the application form are an important part of the review process. For more details please read the Application Rates/Fees page on our website or the General Application Procedures and Selection Criteria section of our catalog.
Do I have to be an accomplished artist to attend Haystack?
No. For each workshop we select a wide range of students from varied backgrounds and skill levels. Unless otherwise noted in the course descriptions, workshops are open to all students from beginners to advanced professionals.
How much does it cost to attend?
Aside from travel costs, the main expenses for students attending Haystack are tuition, room and board, and materials fees. Tuition is $710 for a 2-week workshop and $380 for a 1-week workshop. Room and board costs vary depending upon your preference for accommodations. For a 2-week workshop it could be as little as $280 ($150 for a 1-week workshop) if you are a day student or as much as $1,545 ($840 for a 1-week workshop) if you are staying on campus in a single cabin with a bathroom. Materials expenses vary for each individual workshop. Students in glass or blacksmithing can typically expect to pay the most for materials. Please see the Cost page under Application Rates/Fees on our website or the Tuition, Room & Board, and Shop Fees section of our catalog for complete details on accommodations and costs.
Do you offer scholarships?
Yes. Haystack has a competitive scholarship program which awards up to 100 scholarships each year covering the cost of full tuition, room, and board. Recipients are responsible for paying shop fees and materials costs only. For full details on the specific criteria for selection and the required application materials, please review the Scholarships page under Application Rates/Fees on lour website or the Scholarship Program section of our catalog. Scholarship applicants must have their completed application materials in to our office by March 1st.
Do I have to send slides with my application?
Unless otherwise specified in the course description, only students applying for the Technical Assistant scholarships should send images of their work with the application form.
How do I get there?
Haystack is located in Deer Isle, ME, about 250 miles north of Boston. If you are flying, the closest airport is Bangor (BGR). From Bangor it is about a 1 ½ hour drive to Deer Isle. If you give us your flight information we will make arrangements for a cab to pick you up at the airport and deliver you to Haystack. You will be billed for the cab ride at the end of the session. If you come by bus, we can also arrange for a cab to pick you up at one of the bus stations in Bangor. If you are driving here take a look at our Directions page for detailed driving directions.
What are my housing options?
Haystack’s campus offers a wide range of housing options to make it comfortable and cost-efficient for everyone who attends. All of our cabins are simple, “camp-like” accommodations with electricity and twin beds. We have shared rooms or single rooms, rooms with private bathrooms or rooms near central, shared bathrooms. We have two dormitory cabins (men’s and women’s) that sleep 11 people. We also have one 4-person room with a wheelchair accessible bathroom. For details on housing options and costs please see the Cost page under Application Rates/Fees on our website or Tuition, Room & Board, and Shop Fees section of our catalog.
Do you have waiting lists for your workshops?
Yes. If you apply for a workshop and do not get in your name will automatically be placed on the wait list for that workshop. You will be notified if a space becomes available for you. If you would like to add your name to the wait list for a workshop you may do so by contacting our office.
Can I get academic credit for a workshop that I take at Haystack?
Currently, academic credit for workshops is offered only through the Maine College of Art and the University of Southern Maine. Arrangements may be made to receive credit at other institutions through MECA or USM. For more details see the Academic Credit section under Application rates/Fees of our website, in our catalog or contact our office.
Can I take two classes at once?
No. While you may visit other workshops that are taking place on campus while you are attending, you can only be enrolled in one workshop during each two-week session. You are welcome to attend as many sessions as you like and oftentimes students wishing to take more than one workshop will stay for multiple sessions.
Do you have a gallery where I can buy artwork?
No, we do not have a formal, commercial gallery. Where we can, we will gladly connect you with galleries that represent artists who have come to Haystack. If you wish to purchase artwork made at Haystack you may do so during one of our session auctions or our summer auction in which works donated by faculty, students, and staff are sold to fund scholarship programs and studio improvements. Check out our Calendar of Events to see when the next auction is scheduled. All auctions are open to the public.
Do you have programs for kids?
No. While we run special programs in the spring and fall for local high school students, you must be at least 18 years old to attend a workshop during one of our summer sessions.
Can I visit Haystack and see what’s happening in the studios?
Haystack offers tours to the public every Wednesday at 1PM during the summer. For a small donation, you can attend one of these guided tours through each of the studios to see workshops in progress. Other than the designated tour times the studios are closed to visitors. You may still visit the campus, walk up and down the main deck, visit our store, and get information from our office if you come any other time. We also have evening presentations by faculty and staff scheduled most nights throughout the summer as well as a studio walk-through and auction at the end of each session. To see a complete schedule of our evening programs, auctions, and walk-throughs check out our Calendar of Events. All evening programs and walk-throughs are free and open to the public.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you cancel at least 30 days prior to the start date of your workshop, your $250 deposit will be refunded, less a $50 cancellation fee. If you cancel less than 30 days prior to the start of the workshop, the deposit is nonrefundable.
When are your application deadlines?
If you are applying for a scholarship, you must have your completed application in our office by March 1. All regular applications must be in by April 1 for priority consideration. Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis and students may be accepted up until the day courses begin.
What should I bring with me?
Students accepted into workshops will be mailed a prep sheet that contains all the basic information you need to know when attending Haystack. It details any items you will need to bring from clothing items to studio supplies.
What supplies do you sell in the store?
The Haystack store maintains an inventory of supplies basic to most courses. If you require particular or unusual supplies for your work, we advise you to bring these with you, as we are located far from major supply sources. A list of special items to be brought from home will be given to students in workshops that require more than simple basic supplies. The store also has a stock of drugstore items, stationery, selected craft books, clothing, snacks, refreshments, small necessities, and miscellany. There is no artwork for sale in the store.
Do you allow pets?
No. We have a policy of no pets on campus.
Can I have a guest visit me while I’m attending Haystack?
Guests are welcome to visit the campus but because of limited facilities, we are unable to accommodate friends and relatives at the school as overnight guests. Space permitting and with advance notice to the kitchen we can occasionally accommodate guests at dinner for a fee. Please check with the office if you would like to have a guest visit for a meal.
Do you have high-speed internet service?
No. Internet service on campus is limited. There are two computers in the library on a dial-up connection and while adequate for checking e-mail they are very slow surfing or downloading. The library also has wireless access through the same connection for students who bring their own computers.
Is there cell phone service on campus?
Yes, but like internet service, cell service on campus is limited. Some carriers get better reception than others. Use of cell phones is NOT permitted in the studios, cabins, dining hall, or on the decks.
Do I need a car while I’m at Haystack?
No. While our campus is very secluded and there are no stores within walking distance, many students get by just fine for two weeks without a car. You can get essentials at our school store or easily catch a ride into town with someone who has a car if you need something we don’t have available on campus.