Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone interested in attending a workshop will need to submit an application, workshops are not first come first served. All applications are reviewed competitively–see How to Apply on the Summer Workshops page for how to submit an application and selection criteria.

No. The applications for General Workshops, Fellowships, or Studio Assistant Fellows do not ask for images or work samples.

Participants must be eighteen years of age or older to participate in the Summer Workshops.

Aside from travel costs, the main expenses for participants attending Haystack are tuition, room, and board, shop fees, and materials fees (if additional materials are purchased in the campus store). Shop fees vary for each individual workshop. Participants in glass or blacksmithing can typically expect to pay the most for shop fees and additional materials. Please see the Fees & Policies on the Summer Workshops page for more information.

Yes. Haystack’s fellowship program is a competitive opportunity, supporting individuals participating in summer workshops at the School. Fellowships cover tuition, room, and board (dorm - the cost difference to change to a different cabin is the responsibility of the individual), and a monetary award. Fellowship recipients are still responsible for travel, shop fees, and studio material costs. For more information on Fellowships and how to apply, see the Fellowships section on the Summer Workshops page.

Studio Assistant Fellows (SAs) must be familiar with the equipment, processes, and safety in the studios. They will balance their time between being a workshop participant and providing basic assistance and safety supervision in the studio in collaboration with the faculty and Haystack staff. 

Studio Assistant positions are professional development opportunities through the Haystack Fellowship program, receiving tuition, room, and board, plus a monetary award. SAs must be 18 years of age or older and are financially responsible for travel, shop fees, and any materials they use during their workshops. Independent committees of artists are assembled to identify and select Studio Assistant Fellows through a competitive review process.

Applications for Studio Assistant Fellows are processed online, the applications for 2025 will open January 7, 2025.

Please see the How to Apply section of the Summer Workshops page for a list of SA opportunities.

No. If you are interested in purchasing a workshop as a gift, the recipient would first have to apply and be accepted. You would be able to pay the program fees on their behalf. Please see the How to Apply section for an overview of the application process.

Haystack has several housing options to meet different needs, an overview of Haystack’s housing options is available on the Housing page. All participants should be prepared to share housing. Housing includes twin beds and a lightweight blanket and pillow are provided. If you have particular physical or mobility concerns, please note these on your application.

For general workshop applicants, when indicating your preference for housing, be sure to include your first and second choices on your application. While we make every effort to accommodate participants' first housing choice, we cannot guarantee it based on availability.

Fellows and Studio Assistant Fellows are placed in dorm housing. If you wish to upgrade to another housing type please indicate this in the “Housing Upgrade” question. Participants would be responsible for paying for the upgrade. While we make every effort to accommodate participants' housing upgrade, we cannot guarantee it based on availability.

If you wish to room with a specific person, you both will need to provide this information in the “Roommate Request” question of your applications.

Notifications of acceptance will be sent to the email provided in your application.
General Applicants: Friday, February 21
Fellowships: Monday, February 3
Studio Assistant Fellows: Monday, February 3

No. You can only be enrolled in one workshop during a session.

No. For each workshop we select a wide range of participants from varied backgrounds and skill levels. Unless otherwise noted in the workshop descriptions, workshops are open to all levels of participants—from beginners to advanced professionals. If you are interested in a beginner focused program, please see Square ONE, a new session created expressly for beginners.

In 2025 Open Studio Residency will be held September 1–12; the move from the spring to the fall gives the opportunity to work in glass during this popular program.

All applications for the Open Studio Residency are submitted online through Slideroom. The application for 2025 will open March 3, 2025. The deadline to apply is March 14, 2025.

An independent committee of artists reviews applications to the highly competitive Open Studio Residency and both national and international artists, working in various disciplines, are eligible for consideration. Past participants may reapply to the Residency but preference may be given to first-time applicants. Selection is based on work samples, the nature and scope of the project that will be done during the Residency (if applicable), and the ability to work in a creative community. All applications are for the entire two-week session.

No, there is no fee to apply to the 2025 Open Studio Residency. Thanks to major support from the Windgate Foundation, Haystack has waived all application fees for summer programs.

Yes, up to four images are required for all visual artists. There is also an opportunity for writers to submit a writing sample instead of images. If you work in another discipline, such as video or sound, you may share links to such work in the application. SlideRoom addresses file size requirements at SlideRoom Support.

If you are collaborating on a project, each collaborator must submit individual application forms and supporting materials. Each applicant will include the name(s) of all collaborators in the application.

Yes, students who are enrolled in an academic program—and are available during the time of the Residency—are eligible to apply.

Participants must be twenty-one years of age or older to participate in the Open Studio Residency.

An independent committee reviews applications to the Open Studio Residency, and national and international artists working in various disciplines are eligible for consideration. Past participants may reapply for the residency, but preference may be given to first-time applicants. Selection is based on work samples, the nature and scope of the project that will be done during the residency (if applicable), and the ability to work in a creative community.

Notifications of acceptance for Open Studio Residency will be sent to email provided in your application on March 21, 2025.

There is no charge for tuition, room, and board for Open Studio Residency. Residency participants are responsible for their travel costs, and materials used over the course of the residency.

No, all of Haystack’s studios are shared spaces, it is important for residents to be comfortable working in a community setting. Residents should also be self-sufficient and able to work independently.

Housing will be assigned at random from among the various options, an overview of Haystack’s housing options is available on the Housing page. Single cabins are not available, all participants should be prepared to share housing. All housing includes twin beds and a lightweight blanket and pillow are provided. If you have particular physical or mobility concerns, please note these on your application.

No, participation in the program is for the full two weeks.

The cost is currently approximately $75.00 per person, one way. This amount is subject to change annually depending upon variables such as vendors with whom we contract, etc. Please contact Haystack with any travel-related questions.

Participants accepted into our summer programs will be provided with a Participant Guide that contains all of the basic information that individuals need to know for when they attend Haystack. The document details items you will need to bring—from clothing items to studio supplies, suggestions, and more.

The Haystack store typically maintains an inventory of supplies basic to most workshops.

When programs are in session, if particular or unusual supplies are needed for your work, we advise that 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 participants 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.

Typically when programs are in session, guests of participants are welcome to visit the campus, but because of limited facilities, we are unable to accommodate 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.

Internet service on campus is limited. There is internet access in the library. Participants are encouraged to bring their own computers to the library to connect to the internet.

Having a car is helpful depending on your needs. Our campus is very secluded and there are no stores within walking distance. When programs are in session many students get by just fine for two weeks without a car—you can get essentials at the campus store or easily catch a ride into town with someone who has a car if you need something that we do not have available on campus.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

The majority of our faculty are invited to teach based on invitation, however, we do accept inquiries from those interested in making teaching proposals. While Haystack will review all submissions, we cannot realistically accommodate every proposal given prior commitments, interest in the school, and our desire to develop diverse programming.

Teaching proposals are submitted through this application. The application will detail all of the materials we will need from you. Haystack will review proposals on a quarterly basis and if we need additional information we will contact you directly. All proposals will be kept on file for three years.

Haystack is located in Deer Isle, Maine, approximately 250 miles north of Boston.

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 taxi to pick you up at the airport and deliver you to the Haystack campus. You will be billed for the taxi ride at the end of the session. If you come by bus, we can also arrange for a taxi to pick you up at one of the bus stations in Bangor. If you are driving to Haystack take a look at our Directions page for detailed driving directions.

No, we do not have a formal, commercial gallery. If you wish to purchase artwork made at Haystack you may do so during one of our session auctions.

Haystack has limited youth programming, primarily for local high school students. A list of the community youth programs is available on the Community Programs page.

Additionally, Haystack’s Fab Lab works frequently within the local school system and around the broader Blue Hill Peninsula by integrating digital technology and design proficiency into area classrooms.

Participants must be 18-years old to attend the summer workshop sessions and 21-years old to attend the Open Studio Residency.

Haystack offers guided, weekly tours to the public every Wednesday afternoon at 1pm throughout the summer (June-August). Advance registration for tours is required. Sign-up for the summer tours begins on May 1.

No. Pets are not allowed on campus–service dogs are welcome.

Yes, but like internet service, cell service on campus is limited. Some carriers get better reception than others. Use of cell phones is discouraged in the studios, cabins, dining hall, or on the decks. There are designated areas for cell phone use.

No. Haystack does not have a dock or mooring for visitors or program participants to safely arrive by boat.

Still have questions?

Please feel free to contact Haystack. Haystack staff is available Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–4:30 pm EST.