Back to top

FAQ

Workshops

How big are your classes?
We keep our workshops small so that students of varying skill levels can be accommodated in a single class. With a maximum of 6 - 10 students per class, all students get individual attention. 

How old do you have to be to take a workshop at Snow Farm?
All Snow Farm workshops are open to students ages 18+. Shorter workshops are also open to students ages 14+.  If a student between the ages of 14 and 18 wants to stay on campus overnight, they must be accompanied by an adult. If they are just taking a workshop, they are welcome on their own. During the month of July, Snow Farm Summer is a program for high school students ages 14 - 18. Please note: for everyone's safety, children under the age of 14 and teens under the age of 18 who are not taking a workshop are not allowed to stay on campus while their parents are attending a workshop. 

What do the different skill levels associated with the workshops mean?
'Best for Beginners' means the content of the workshop is geared toward basic foundational skills and students with no experience in the given craft or folks looking for a healthy refresher will get the most out of the instruction. 'All Levels' means the content of the workshop is adaptable to both beginners and more experienced practitioners. Basic skill instruction will often be part of the workshop, but instructors are prepared to meet students where they're at and able to provide deeper guidance for more advanced students. 'Some Experience Required' workshops have been programmed with the expectation that students have certain studio competencies, which are outlined in detail in the workshop description. Generally, this allows for instructors to focus on more advanced skills. We rely on students to honestly assess their own abilities against the workshop requirements as the quality of the workshop may be negatively impacted if the instructor needs to re-teach any of these expected competencies.

What is the difference between a materials fee and an instructor kit fee?
Both the materials fee and kit fee assure that you have all the necessary materials for your workshop. The main difference between them is how the materials are sourced and when the fee is paid.  When Snow Farm is providing consumable materials, the supply fee is paid to Snow Farm at the time of registration. Some instructors prefer to bring a kit for their students which makes the fee payable directly to instructor at the time of the class. Lastly, in some cases, materials are available for purchase during the class and the cost will vary depending on an individual's choice of project or usage. We provide a range of the cost you might incur. 

How do I register for a workshop? 
Online registration is simple right from our website.  Choose a workshop, add your housing if you are staying at Snow Farm, and pay with a credit card - you're all set. You will need to create an account when you register online which you can access anytime you register in the future.  We will save your contact information and account record but not your credit card. You can also call our office at 413-268-3101 Monday through Friday between 9am - 5pm (EST) and we can register you by phone with a credit card. Please note: If you would like to redeem a Snow Farm gift certificate towards your registration, you must call the office to process the transaction.

How much in advance should I register for a workshop?
We encourage early registration. Our classes are small and they do fill up.  If a class is full, put your name on the waiting list, and we'll let you know if an opening becomes available.  Most workshops have a minimum of 5 students, and if the minimum is not met three weeks before the start of the class, it will be cancelled - another good reason not to wait until the last minute if you want the class to run.

Are your studios accessible to someone with mobility limits?  Most of the studios at Snow Farm are converted barn buildings that were built more than a century ago. As such, they are not fully ADA-compliant. However, several studios have ramped entrances and others are in process of being adapted. In addition, we can often accommodate individuals on a temporary basis. See more details here about accessibility at Snow Farm and please call the office (413-268-3101) if you have questions. 

When will I know for sure that my class is running?
We confirm or cancel classes four weeks before the date they begin. At that time, we send an e-mail notice to all students about the status of their workshop. If you are making non-refundable travel arrangements, please give us a call (413-268-3101) for more information about the enrollment in your workshop. 

What is your cancellation policy?
Snow Farm's cancellation policy is based on being fair and reasonable to students while also limiting the risk and losses to Snow Farm. The full cancellation policy is detailed here. 

What is your approach to Covid containment? 

We carefully follow public health guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We encourage anyone experiencing symptoms of illness before coming to Snow Farm or during a workshop to act responsibly and limit exposure to other people, i.e. wear a mask or stay home. 

Staying at Snow Farm

What are the accommodations like at Snow Farm?
Housing at Snow Farm is simple, clean, and comfortable. We have four dorms with several room types: standard, single plus, queen plus, and single deluxe. There is also one cottage available which offers more privacy. All rooms are priced for one person with meals; however, standard rooms, the queen plus, and the cottage can accommodate two people who are traveling together. When reserving a room for two, one person purchases the room with a full meal plan, and the second person purchases just a meal plan. The cost of housing depends on the option you choose and the length of the workshop.  If you prefer to stay off-campus, there are many nearby inns and hotels. 

What is the difference between a standard, single plus, queen plus, and single deluxe room? 
It's not as complicated as it seems!  A standard room has 2 single beds (each with a pillow and blanket), one bedside table with a reading lamp, shelves, and pegs for hanging clothes. Standard rooms are single occupancy but can accommodate two people traveling together, and are located in dorm buildings with bathrooms shared by 6 - 12 rooms. The single plus is the same size room as the standard, utilizing the same shared bathrooms, but has one bed instead of two, plus a reading chair, desk, and a few extras, including air conditioning. Single plus rooms are for one person only. One single plus has a queen bed, so we call it a queen plus and it can accommodate one person or two people traveling together. Lastly, a single deluxe is the same as the single plus (one bed, reading chair and desk, air conditioning) but there are only two available on campus, and they share one bathroom between them.  The Housing page on our website includes a video tour of the single deluxe rooms. 

Can I share a room with my spouse/friend/family member? 
YES!  You can reserve a standard room, queen plus, or the cottage for two people.  The price of the rooms includes meals for one person, so the second person should purchase an additional meal plan. 

If I have a disability, will I be comfortable in your dorms?   E Dorm is the most accessible with nearby parking, entrance ramps, and an accessible bathroom. Please choose room E28.  More details here about accessibility on the Snow Farm campus

Can your kitchen accommodate my food allergies and preferences? 
We want mealtime at Snow Farm to be a nurturing and delicious part of your experience.  We serve fresh homemade food and ask students to choose in advance a meal plan from these choices:  regular (no restrictions), vegetarian, or vegan. All dishes are accompanied by a list of ingredients so guests can choose what best suits their needs or preferences. Meals are designed with an awareness of common preferences (i.e. gluten free) and multiple options allow for most people to easily assemble a delicious and satisfying meal. 

Snow Farm is unable to accommodate food allergies or sensitivities beyond our standard meal plans, and we rely on our guests to read ingredients and make choices that meet their needs. We care about your health and safety, so anyone with severe or life-threatening allergies is advised to bring their own food. A shared refrigerator and a microwave are available for student use. Call the Snow Farm office (413-268-3101) to arrange a housing option without meals. 

What is Snow Farm's policy on smoking and drinking on campus?  
Snow Farm is a smoke-free environment and no form of smoking or vaping is permitted.  In addition, while marijuana is legal in Massachusetts, Snow Farm complies with federal law and does not permit the use of recreational marijuana in any form on campus. For guests over the age of 21, we have a Bring Your Own (BYO) policy for alcoholic beverages, which can be consumed only in the dining hall and on the grounds, but never in the studios.  You can review our full policy on tobacco, alcohol, and drug use here.

Other

Can I get to Snow Farm by public transportation? 
There are various ways to travel to Snow Farm by public transportation. Peter Pan Bus Lines and Amtrak  trains stop in Springfield and Northampton, MA. There are taxis and Ubers from Northampton, which is about 20 minutes from Snow Farm.

Can I buy a gift certificate to Snow Farm? 
Yes you can!  Creativity always fits!

How can I become an instructor at Snow Farm? 
We welcome proposals for new workshops at any time during the year. Our program year runs from April - October and the schedule for any year is complete by the previous August. The application process is detailed on the Artist Opportunities page.

Is Snow Farm a MA PDP provider? 
Yes!  Any workshop at Snow Farm can be submitted for MA PDP.  After attending a workshop, send lessons plans to Mary Jo Murphy, Executive Director, or direct quesions to maryjom@snowfarm.org.