SQUARE ONE
Workshops for beginners to learn alongside one another in a welcoming and supportive environment.
July 6–10, 2025
WHAT IS SQUARE ONE?
In 2025, Haystack offers a new program, Square ONE, a session created expressly for beginners. While most of Haystack’s workshops are open to participants of all levels, Square ONE is intended to provide a space for beginners to a media or discipline to gather and learn together in a supportive environment.
In Square ONE, each Haystack studio hosts a workshop with beginners in mind, designed to introduce the media, discipline, or technique to participants with no previous experience. This program is for anyone interested in learning a new process, practice, or media, including people with a lifetime of experience in the arts.
To ensure an environment accessible to beginners, individuals with even limited experience in their interested workshop are encouraged to apply to one of the summer workshop sessions.
WORKSHOPS
How to Apply
Open Call
Do you want to attend a 2025 Square ONE workshop, but missed the application deadline? Check out the list of workshop openings below.
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to participate in session workshops. Except where noted in the workshop descriptions, workshops are open to all levels—from beginners to advanced. Enrollment in each studio is limited and on a first come, first served basis until workshops are full.
Application is for the entire session. When completing the application form, please indicate your choice of workshop. Due to the high volume of applications, not all applicants will be accepted.
On-campus housing is limited. If accepted, Haystack will try our best to accommodate housing requests; however, it is not guaranteed.
If you previously applied through the initial 2025 Square ONE application and are interested in one of the workshop openings, please email the registrar directly at registrar@haystack-mtn.org.
Workshops Openings
SQUARE ONE OPEN CALL
We encourage applicants to review the fees & policies and frequently asked questions.
Notification about the status of your application will be emailed two (2) weeks after your submission date.
Square ONE Application
Square ONE is intended for those with a serious interest in learning a new process, practice, or media, including artists with a lifetime of experience in the arts. All Square ONE workshops are exclusively for beginner-level participants in the workshop in which they are placed. Participants with even limited experience are encouraged to apply for other workshops offered in sessions 1-6. Applicants with previous experience in the workshops provided should recognize that all instruction and activity will be presented at a beginner level.
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to participate in Square One workshops. Haystack accepts applicants based on a lottery system.
The application is for the entire Square One program. When completing the application form, please indicate your choice of workshop. Due to the high volume of applications, not all applicants will be accepted. All applicants who are not accepted will be the first to be notified of any available workshops after February 17, 2025.
SQUARE ONE APPLICATION
Application Closed for 2025.
Acceptance Notifications will be sent to applicants by February 14.
We encourage applicants to review the fees & policies and frequently asked questions.
Fees & Policies
Tuition + Room & Board
The table below covers the Tuition cost to attend Square ONE, as well as the housing options and associated cost.
Upon notification of acceptance into a workshop, a $300 non-refundable deposit is required by February 21, 2025 and will be applied to tuition, room, and board. The full balance of tuition, room, and board must be paid no later than May 7, 2025.
Meal costs are included in all Room & Board rates, including the Day Student rate—meals are never a separate or prorated cost. There are no exceptions.
2025 Rates for Square ONE
| Tuition | Cost |
|---|---|
| General Tuition | $800 |
| Room & Board | Cost |
| Double with bath | $1,185 |
| Quad with bath | $1,020 |
| Double near central bath |
$790 |
| Triple near central bath |
$560 |
| Dorm near central bath limited availibility |
$405 |
| Day Student Individuals choosing to reside off campus at their own expense |
$355 |
Shop Fees
Square ONE participants will be charged one shop and materials fee based on the workshop they are taking. This shop fee will cover the cost of all materials and supplies used in your workshop. These costs are the financial responsibility of each participant.
Specific shop fees will be listed on each workshop’s student memo, which will be included by email in the acceptance notification. Estimated shop fees will range from $5 to $80 for this three-day workshop.
Cancellation Policy
When planning and preparing for programs, Haystack devotes substantial time and resources, and vacancies can be difficult to fill.
All cancellations must be made in writing by mail or email (no phone calls please) to the Registrar at registrar@haystack-mtn.org. The Square ONE cancellation deadline is May 7, 2025.
For cancellations received 60 days before the Square ONE session begins, a refund less the $300 non-refundable deposit will be issued. No refunds will be issued for cancellations less than 60 days before the start of the Square ONE session.
If it becomes necessary for Haystack to cancel a workshop for any reason, students will be notified and a full refund of tuition, room, and board will be issued.
In the event of any type of cancellation, Haystack is not responsible for refunding airline tickets or other travel costs. Applicants are encouraged to review the information about Travel Insurance.
Travel Insurance
Haystack has partnered with Travel Insured International to provide travel insurance coverage to interested participants. Haystack recommends that participants with concerns about refunds for cancellations or unforeseen disruptions to travel consider acquiring travel insurance coverage. For more information and plan information, please refer to Travel Insured International’s website.
Community Guidelines & Nondiscrimination Policy
Everyone coming to Haystack commits to a culture in which all members feel personally safe, listened to, valued, and treated with fairness. Gathering together is an intentional act and a reciprocal process, with every individual sharing responsibility to contribute positively to the community. A shared understanding of our common goals is how we create community.
The campus and programs foster a culture of generosity, investigation, and exchange through the exploration of new ideas in a supportive and inclusive community. We serve an ever-changing group of makers and thinkers, working and learning alongside one another while exploring the intersections of craft, art, and design in broad and expansive ways.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
This list includes common questions specific to Square ONE. If your question is not answered on this page, please visit the main FAQ page for an expanded list of questions.