Policies & FAQ
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.
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.
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.
The Ely Folk School is currently open Wednesday through Saturday from 9-6 and during classes outside of those hours.
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.
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.
Our classes are priced per class hour. The baseline is currently $13 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.
The Ely Folk School does not offer scholarships. We do offer a sliding scale payment system for many classes. Learn more here or contact us for more information.
Class payments are due upon registration. Class fees are fully refundable 14 days before a class starts, and are refundable minus a 25% administrative fee up to seven days before a class starts. Because instructors must arrange their schedules and order materials, cancellations in the last week before a class starts will not be refunded except in the case of true emergencies.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome to come to 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 always welcome.
Pets are not allowed during our Nourishment classes or other events involving food preparation.
The Ely Folk School is not responsible for the security of property belonging to students and instructors.
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.
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 us to learn more.
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.