Is this really a completely free program?
The MA Craft Summit is generously underwritten by the Young-Weber Family Fund and is provided at NO COST to the student or the school. Participants receive workshop tuition, supplies, housing, and meals for free. Transportation to and from Snow Farm is not included and is the sole responsibility of the participants.
How are students chosen to participate in the Summit?
All the students who attend the Summit have been nominated by an art teacher. They are all 10th graders, and they are all passionate about art! We accept students in the order that we receive applications and when the program is full, we take a waitlist.
How are studio placements determined? Can I choose my workshop?
During the Summit weekend, we offer six studios with a maximum of 8 or 9 students in each one. Students will be placed in one studio for the whole weekend and dive deep into working with a new material or a new set of skills. At the time of application, we ask the students to rank their studio choices, and we do our best to honor those preferences, but we also ask students to come with an open mind and adventurous spirit to try something new. Studio assignments are announced during the welcome meeting on Saturday, October 26. The immersive workshop experience with no ringing bells and few interruptions is part of what makes a craft school special. Students say they can't believe how much they learn in just two days.
Who will be teaching the classes?
The instructors invited to teach at the Summit are all working artists with teaching experience and a passion for working with young people. Often, they have been part of our faculty at Snow Farm Summer, a program similar to the Summit, but open to students ages 14 - 18 from everywhere!
Is there supervision outside of class time?
The schedule is full for the entire weekend with activities including a studio tour, open studio work time, glassblowing demos, and a bonfire. The artist/instructors will be living on campus and in the dorm buildings so that students get a chance to know them both inside and outside of class. Brian Brown, the director of the program, is a full-time high school teacher and has been the director of the Snow Farm Summer program for high school students for 10 years.
This sounds great but I didn't get nominated. Is there another way I can get in?
Attending the annual MA Craft Summit is by nomination only. Every school in Massachusetts is invited to participate, but we have room for only about 50 students, which means that even some people who are nominated get turned away. Snow Farm Summer for High School Students is another opportunity for students ages 14 - 18; this program is not free but scholarships are available. In addition, we offer weekend workshops from May - October which are open to students ages 13+. If you're interested, request our 2020 catalog to be mailed to you in November.
What happens if I can't attend after I've been accepted?
We understand that life happens and things sometimes change. At the same time, please be aware that we will have a waiting list for the Summit and your spot is highly desired. If you find that you can't make it, please let us know as soon as possible, so we can offer the opportunity to someone else. We only run the Summit once a year, and only for 10th graders, so unfortunately, it is not possible to reschedule. You can, however, come to Snow Farm in the summer for two or four weeks or take a weekend workshop anytime between May and October.