FAQ

Questions About Classes

What are your policies regarding illness?

In registering for a course at the Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts, students agree to abide by the Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts' terms of Health & Safety, either on their own behalf or on behalf of their child. Non-compliance with these terms may lead to the termination of their registration.  

Students of the Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts agree to: 

• Abstain from participation in any program held by the Eliot School should the student demonstrate symptoms of communicable illness including: fever/chills, persistent cough, shortness of breath/wheezing (unrelated to chronic illness), nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, loss of taste/smell, congestion/runny nose (unrelated to chronic illness), or extreme fatigue/body aches. Symptoms should be resolved for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to the Eliot School.  
• Abstain from participation in any program held by the Eliot School for a minimum of 5 days following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. After 5 days, if the student tests negative and symptoms have been resolved for a minimum of 24 hours, they may return to programming.  
• Notify the Eliot School should the student become aware that they were positive with a communicable disease during their participation in an Eliot School program. Communicable diseases include but are not limited to: COVID-19, Conjunctivitis, Strep Throat, Ringworm, Headlice, and Hand Foot and Mouth.  

 

How do I register for a class?

To register online, you must first create an account. To do so, click "My Account" at the top of the screen. Then find the classes you want and add them to your shopping cart. 

Once you set up your account, it will be there for you each time you register for a new class. 

Payment in full is required at the time of registration. We accept most credit cards. We offer scholarships on a need-based scale.   

Students can receive walk-through instructions on how to register over the phone or may schedule a time to register with our Community Education Coordinator during office hours. 

 

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes, we offer scholarships to children and adults. Find out more here.

 

How do I apply my discount?

During checkout, type your discount code into the COUPON field. General active coupons include the following:

10% Discount for any student age 65 or older - Code SENIOR 

10% Discount for any additional family member living in the same household, enrolling in the same class - Code FAMILY  

10% Discount for active-duty military personnel - Code MILITARY

 

How do I choose a skill level?

If you don’t have previous exposure to the craft or it's been a long time since you practiced a particular skill, choose Beginner. If you have enough experience to understand the basics of the discipline, choose Intermediate & Above. We typically rank a class Advanced only if it requires more refined skills. 

Any specific prerequisites are included on each class page. You’re responsible for understanding and accurately representing your skill level — if you do not match the level, you won’t be able to participate in class.  

 

Why should I take Basic Woodworking if I'm already an experienced woodworker?

We do this because every shop has its own protocol, and we need all students, even experienced woodworkers, to understand how our particular machines work, how our shop is organized, and our shop etiquette and rules. This creates a safe, compatible environment for all. For further information, please contact Director of Community Education Lorraine Johnson.

 

Can you put me in touch directly with an instructor?

Unfortunately, we cannot provide instructors' contact information. But if you email your questions to our Education and Engagement Coordinator, we can forward your inquiry to the instructor. 

 

What should I wear to class?

Dress to get messy. The wood shop can be dusty, fiber arts classes can get wet, and fine arts classes can involve pigments, solvents, and dust as well.  

Woodworking students must wear closed-toe shoes, tied back hair, and remove any scarves or dangling jewelry. Avoid clothes with loose sleeves. We recommend bringing your own dust mask and earplugs to any class using machines.  

See our safety rules for additional details.

 

What should I bring to class?

In some cases, the instructor will supply materials and collect a materials fee in class. In others, you will need to bring supplies. You may also want to bring a notebook to take notes. 

Check your specific class page for a list of supplies and materials fees. 

 

What if I miss a class session?

Due to space and logistical limitations, we do not allow students to make up classes by attending other sections.  We do not offer credits/refunds for missed class sessions. 

When we cancel a class session, we will notify students via phone & email and provide details for the scheduled make-up date.  

If you want to book a private lesson, contact our Education and Engagement Coordinator. 

 

What if I need to withdraw from a class?

Visit our policies page for important information on cancellations, withdrawals, and other special situations.

 

Do you offer degrees or certificates?

We are not an accredited institution and don't offer degrees or certificates. However, if you need proof of attendance for work or any other reason, ask our Education and Engagement Coordinator, for a receipt or a letter. 

 

Questions About Partnership & Specialty Programs

Can you bring your programs to my child’s school or after school site?

We love to partner with schools and community centers, including Boys & Girls Clubs, BCYF centers, libraries, and housing developments. We are happy to work together with your school or center on a program that fits its needs. Please contact Director of Community Education Lorraine Johnson to begin a conversation. 

 

How can I/my child/my student join Teen Bridge?

We recruit new Teen Bridge students every fall to join the program in January. If you, your child, or your student is interested, please contact Teen Programs Manager Taína Vargas.

 

Questions About Space, Equipment, and Supplies

Are your classrooms handicapped-accessible?

Our schoolhouse (main building) is not handicapped-accessible. Our Annex/Amory Street classroom and our outdoor classrooms at the Schoolhouse are accessible. Please let our Education and Engagement Coordinator know if you use a wheelchair or have other mobility challenges, and we will do our best to accommodate you.

 

Can I rent your space for a public event? 

We are currently not renting our space for events. 

 

Can I hold my wedding or birthday party in your space? 

We are currently not renting our space for events. 

 

Can I come use a certain machine for a short while? 

No, all use of our facilities requires student registration. Our Woodworking Open Shop, Sewing Open Studio, and other open studio classes require registration and are designed for people who want access to a shared classroom and equipment with instructor guidance. Please note the prerequisites for these offerings. 

Students are not permitted in our classrooms outside of their scheduled class times. 

 

Can I donate furniture, fabric, or supplies?

We appreciate offers of tools and art supplies. However, due to our limited storage capacity, we are not accepting art material/supply donations unless they are brand-new and in their original packaging. We will also consider donations of lumber and woodshop machines. If you're interested in donating something within these parameters, please contact our Community Education Coordinator. Thank you for thinking of us!

While we are not able to accept furniture donations, if you make a flyer and email it to our Education and Engagement Coordinator, we will be happy to post it on our bulletin board. 

Where can I find my lost items?

Remember to take proper precautions to protect your valuables! The Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts is not responsible for any loss of personal property.

Items with limited value, including water bottles, umbrellas, or articles of clothing, will be stored in the Lost and Found bin in the front lobby of the schoolhouse. People are welcome to come retrieve their items anytime the schoolhouse is open.  

Items of value, such as phones, laptops, or wallets, will be held in the office and can be picked up from the Community Education Coordinator during office hours. Schoolhouse Office hours are from 9:30 AM-5:30 PM Monday through Friday. To check for any held lost items, you can email or call the Community Education Coordinator at (617) 553-4684 or [email protected]. Owners will be required to confirm ownership by providing a description of the item at a minimum.  

The Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts will hold items of limited value until the first of each month, when items will then be donated, recycled, or properly disposed of. Lost items of value will be held in the office for a maximum of 3 months before being disposed of. 

 

Other Questions

What is your Tax ID Number?

04-217-3050

 

Why do you require my age when I set up an account or register for a class? 

We do this to ensure students are enrolled in the appropriate course for their age, when applicable, as some of our courses are age-restricted. It also allows us to offer age-specific tuition discounts to students. Additionally, some of our funders require us to provide broad demographic data, including how many people we serve from different age brackets. 

 

When does registration close for a class/workshop? 

We close registration three days before the first class to communicate with the teacher and prepare materials. If you want to register for a class and the registration period has closed, please contact our Education and Engagement Coordinator to see if you can still join.