Question 1

What is the Ely Folk School?

Accepted Answer

Ely Folk School builds community by providing learning experiences that celebrate the wilderness heritage, art, history, culture, and craft of the people of northern Minnesota. What does that mean? We offer classes and events in traditional skills, knowledge, and craft – education that is intergenerational, non-competitive, and that embraces the body, heart, and mind. We encourage learning for life – being a lifelong learner of things that will enrich your life. Ely Folk School believes that craft is the foundation with which we, as a society, can build community, personal enlightenment, empowerment, cultural memory, and community resiliency.

Question 2

Is the Ely Folk School a non-profit?

Accepted Answer

Yes! The Ely Folk School is a 501c3 nonprofit, established 2015. Our Federal EIN is 47-2706626. 
Please consider including EFS in your annual giving.

Question 3

How can I visit the Ely Folk School?

Accepted Answer

The Ely Folk School is located in the heart of downtown Ely, at the top of the hill on Sheridan Street. Street Parking is available year round, but restricted to two-hour intervals in the summer season. St. Anthony’s Catholic Church parking lot is located behind EFS, of which St. Anthony’s generously allows EFS use.

Question 4

What are the hours Ely Folk School is open to the public?

Accepted Answer

The Ely Folk School is currently open Tuesday through Saturday from 9-5 and during classes outside of those hours.

Question 5

Where should I park?

Accepted Answer

Students and visitors are welcome to park behind EFS, on the west side of the St. Anthony Catholic Church Parking Lot. Walk through the EFS Pocket Park to Sheridan Street and enter through our front doors on Sheridan Street.

Sheridan Street Parking is limited to two hours in the summer months.

Question 6

What is accessibility like at the Ely Folk School?

Accepted Answer

The Ely Folk School works to welcome everyone! Our programming scope is wide, in the hopes that everyone might find something that works for them.

Our class registration forms include space for you to request accommodations or any extra help that might make your class experience more enriching. Our staff do our best to react and support all our students.

Wheelchair accessibility is located through the back entrance. Please park in the Saint Anthony’s Church parking lot.

Considerations:
The floor at the Ely Folk School is sloped, being built directly on top of Ely Greenstone. 
Tables at the Ely Folk School have a clearance of 30 inches, meaning most wheelchairs fit underneath.
The front entrance has a steep step; the back entrance has a ramp option. 
We keep reading glasses and hair binders on hand

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions regarding what your experience of EFS might be!

Question 7

How do I register for a class?

Accepted Answer

The Ely Folk School upcoming class list can be found here. Follow the prompts to register for classes. For a calendar view of classes, please visit this link.

Question 8

How do you determine your class pricing?

Accepted Answer

Our classes are priced per class hour. The baseline is currently $15 per hour per person. Tuition income is split between the Ely Folk School and the instructor. We utilize a sliding scale or "Pay It Forward" payment system, which you can read about here.

Materials fees are modeled differently according to their unique needs. The materials fee reimburses the entity who purchased the supplies given to you to use for your class project. Some classes may give you the option of purchasing the materials or supplying your own.

We are able to keep class tuitions lower because of support from individual donors. If you've enjoyed your classes at EFS, please consider giving a monthly donation.

If the cost of registering for a class is prohibitive, consider volunteering for the Ely Folk School. Select responsibilities earn volunteers tuition credit in exchange for time. Volunteers can earn 1 hour of class credit for every 3 hours of volunteering.

Question 9

I want to take a class, but I cannot afford it. Do you offer scholarships?

Accepted Answer

The Ely Folk School does not offer scholarships. We do offer a sliding scale payment system for classes. Learn more here or contact us for more information.

Question 10

What happens if I need to cancel my class registration?

Accepted Answer

Class payments are due upon registration. If you need to cancel your registration, bear in the following timeline. 
Between 14 and 30 days before class, cancellations receive school credit in full. 
No refunds can be offered in the 14 days preceding class.

Thank you for helping us honor the time and investment our instructors put into planning their classes and prepping materials!  Please give us a call if you’d like to transfer your registration to someone else. We’ll work with you on a case by case basis.

Should the Ely Folk School need to cancel a class you've registered for, you will receive the option for a full refund or class credit redemption. We do our best to not cancel classes, but due to a variety of reasons including weather, instructor or public health, and low enrollment, EFS ends up cancelling or postponing about 15% of our classes each year.

Question 11

What should I do if a class is full?

Accepted Answer

Join the waiting list!  Not only does this secure your place in line in case a spot becomes available, but this also helps us understand the demand for a class.  Waitlists let us know that we should add more classes to the schedule, and we will contact waitlists to let them know if new dates are added.

Question 12

Can I purchase a gift certificate?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Ely Folk School Gift Certificates are good for all existing mercantile items and classes.  You can purchase one online here or give us a call at 218-235-0138.

Question 13

Can I bring my child(ren) to classes?

Accepted Answer

Taking a class but have a kiddo in tow? We understand! A folk education is for everyone, no matter your age or ability to find childcare. Many of our classes are suitable for people ages 14 and up, and we can be flexible, depending on maturity and attention to detail. Kids under 8 are welcome to come with a guardian. Staff can help set kids up with an age appropriate craft while you focus on your class.

Question 14

Can I bring a group to the Ely Folk School?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you arrange it ahead of time! Contact us at info@elyfolkschool.org to schedule a private class for a group, family, or business.

Question 15

Can my group rent your space?

Accepted Answer

The Ely Folk School is available for rent! Pricing depends on seasonality, timing of request in relation to the event, and class schedule. Please reach out to lucy@elyfolkschool.org to submit an inquiry.

Question 16

Can I bring my pet to the Ely Folk School?

Accepted Answer

Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome to come into EFS with you. If another student or event participant has an allergy or other conflict, we may ask that you keep your pet at home or outside. It always helps to call and ask in advance! Service animals are of course welcome.

Pets are not allowed during our Nourishment classes or other events involving food preparation.

Question 17

Can you hold onto my personal items for me?

Accepted Answer

The Ely Folk School is not responsible for the security of property belonging to students and instructors.

Question 18

How do I sign up to teach a class at Ely Folk School?

Accepted Answer

Visit our Teach page to learn more about instructing. Then, use the New Class Proposal form to think through a potential class and indicate your interest to Ely Folk School programmers. Staff will follow up with you to discuss feasible possibilities. Staff also are available to help you structure a class.

Question 19

How can I sell my goods in the Ely Folk School Mercantile?

Accepted Answer

The Ely Folk School Mercantile consigns art by our Instructor Artisans. If you have taught a class or are teaching a class within one year from date of inquiry, you’re eligible to consign your artwork! Occasionally, we will enter into wholesale contracts with artists or with art materials providers. Contact Brett, brett@elyfolkschool.org to learn more.

Question 20

How do I volunteer?

Accepted Answer

Fill out our volunteer interest form to learn about current volunteer opportunities. Volunteer opportunities are also available via your Ely Folk School class registration account.

Question 21

How can I stay informed about EFS happenings?

Accepted Answer

Want to stay in the know with all things EFS? The best way to do that is to read our twice-monthly email newsletters! You can sign up for the email newsletter here. 
You can also follow and engage with EFS on Facebook and Instagram @ElyFolkSchool

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