Life at Haystack
Whether you have years of knowledge in a specific discipline or have simply always wanted to see what might happen if you tried something new, there are incredible discoveries to be made by coming here.
LOCATION
Haystack is located in Downeast Maine on Deer Isle, connected to the mainland by a bridge over Eggemoggin Reach. It is approximately 500 miles from New York City, 250 miles from Boston, 160 miles from Portland, and 60 miles from Bangor.
American architect Edward Larrabee Barnes designed the Haystack campus on Deer Isle, which opened to the public in the summer of 1961. The architectural plan encourages community and interaction while seeming to float above the forest floor and in 1994 was awarded the coveted Twenty-five Year Award from The American Institute of Architects. As an organization, we are stewards of this architectural treasure and the delicate landscape on which it sits, and believe these to be defining characteristics of the school.
WEATHER
Weather on the coast of Maine is unpredictable and temperatures can range from a low of 40 on cool evenings to a high of 90 on extremely warm days throughout the summer. Layered clothing is suggested and to be best prepared bring clothing ranging from shorts and pants to sweaters, sweatshirts, and rain gear.
STAYING PRESENT
Haystack is located in a remote setting and both cell reception and internet access are limited. To maintain a retreat setting, we ask that participants refrain from cell phone use in the studios, cabins, dining hall, and decks, and limit usage to the upper portion of the campus, near Gateway Auditorium and the parking areas.
HOUSING
The rustic cabins at Haystack are an integral part of the campus design, and we have several options that range from dorms (that house up to eleven people), triples, and doubles— all located near a central washroom— as well as a quad, and doubles with private bathroom facilities. Some are accessible to those with limited mobility and we will work with you on meeting your needs as best we can.
Cabins at Haystack do not have heat or air conditioning; participants should be prepared for some hot and cold evenings. All housing includes twin beds and a lightweight blanket and pillow are provided. We highly recommend that you bring a sleeping bag or other warm bedding.
Housing at Haystack is shared, all participants should be prepared to share their cabin with one or more individuals during their time at the School.
For more information about housing at Haystack, please visit the Housing page.
FACILITIES
Studios at Haystack are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For safety, use of certain tools and techniques may be limited outside of regular studio instruction time. For an overview of studios, please visit the Studios page.
Additionally, the School maintains a library with a collection of books on craft, art, design, and architecture, and a Campus Store that sells a limited selection of materials, supplies, and merchandise.
MEALS
The dining hall at Haystack is a central meeting and gathering place where participants enjoy delicious meals prepared in our kitchen. We work closely with many local farmers and food producers on Deer Isle, the Blue Hill Peninsula, and the surrounding region. Vegetarian options–and a variety of other choices–are available at each mealtime. Communicating your dietary needs in advance will allow us to be better prepared to accommodate specific dietary needs as best we can.
SERVICE ANIMALS
Haystack will accommodate persons with documented disabilities who require the assistance of Service Animals. The requesting individual must have a disability as defined by the ADA and the accompanying animal must be trained to do specific tasks for the qualified requesting individual. Individuals seeking accommodations for a Service Animal must provide documentation supporting their request. Haystack does not accommodate Support Animals.
COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
Haystack’s Community Guidelines is one of the ways we put our organizational values, and the goals of our Strategic Plan, into action. They are intended to establish a shared understanding of our common goals, how we create community, and the principles that ensure all people feel welcome and respected. It is expected that everyone coming to Haystack will help contribute to a culture in which all members feel personally safe, listened to, valued, and treated with fairness and respect.
Haystack is committed to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We do not discriminate against any individual or group of individuals on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identification, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, economic status, or veteran status. All are welcome.
