Ceramics Policies
Ceramics Registration Policies
Early Registration & Enrollment Requirements
Please register early to avoid class cancellation. All courses must reach a minimum enrollment (typically 4 students) for the course to run. In the event a course is cancelled students will be offered a position in a different class with an opening, or will be refunded if an alternate class is not an option.
Early Registration & Enrollment Requirements
Please register early to avoid class cancellation. All courses must reach a minimum enrollment (typically 4 students) for the course to run. In the event a course is cancelled students will be offered a position in a different class with an opening, or will be refunded if an alternate class is not an option.
Payment
All class tuition and fees must be paid in full at the time of registration. Students are responsible for purchasing required course supplies prior to the first class, if applicable.
Tuitions may be paid on our website. We accept the following credit cards: MasterCard, VISA, Discover, and American Express.
Refund Policy
If dropped 10 days prior to the 1st class meeting – 100% Refund of Tuition and Fees, less a $20 processing fee
If dropped less than 10 days prior to the date of the 1st class – No Refund of Tuition and Fees
If dropped on or after the date of the 1st class meets – No Refund of Tuition and Fees
All class tuition and fees will be refunded if a class is cancelled due to low enrollment. We do not prorate tuition, nor do we allow future class substitutions for partial class attendance. All refunds are credited back to the student’s credit card within 30 days after withdrawal and/or class cancellation, minus a $20 processing fee.
Absences
Students with class absences are not offered make-up time. Students should be certain their schedule aligns with the course schedules to prevent any missed classes. Known absences due to vacation time or other scheduled events will not be offered refunds or make-up times.
Official Withdrawal
Please contact MB staff. Notification to an instructor is not an acceptable withdrawal. Not attending a class does not constitute an official withdrawal.
Cancellations
Any course with less than the required registrations (typically 4 students) will be cancelled about a week prior to the start of the class. Cancellations will be directly communicated to students at this time. Email is the primary mode of communication.
Weather Cancellation Policy
Classes and workshops may be cancelled due to weather. Cancellations are not connected to the public school closures. Classes cancelled due to weather will have a make-up date scheduled by the instructor for the end of the session. Make-up dates are offered once and it is the student's responsibility to be available for a makeup class. There are no additional makeup if a student cannot attend.
Student Open Studio - Additional Work Time
Students may work in the studio outside of their class the day before, day of, and day after their class when there is no programming being held in the classroom from 9:30am-9:00pm.
Youth Classes and Workshops
Youth programming is designed for students ages 8-12 years old unless stated otherwise. The minimum age limit is non-negotiable.
Parents/Guardians may bring their child to class no earlier than 15 minutes prior to the class start time and are required to wait with their child until the instructor arrives. Staff are not available to watch children and they may not be left in the studio/classroom unattended.
Parents'/Guardians will be notified when their child’s finished pottery is ready for pickup. Work not picked up within two months may be discarded.
Ceramic Studio Policies
The policies below apply to anyone using the Ceramics facilities, including students and CSAs
Materials
MBACC provides all clay, glazes and additional materials. MBACC keeps a minimal amount of tools for general use - CSAs and students are encouraged to purchase their own personal sets of tools. Clay from outside of MBACC is not allowed and will not be fired.
All unwanted studio clay can be deposited into the reclaim buckets for recycling. Clay may not be dumped in the sink or trash. If clay is contaminated with wax, underglaze, dirt or other materials, it can not be recycled - contaminated clay must be discarded directly into the bucket under the sink. Clay may not be removed for personal use from the reclaim buckets.
MBACC mixes cone 6 glazes in-house. Glazes range from liners to special effects. Due to material availability and an effort to “fit” the glazes to the studio clay as best as possible, students and members can expect glaze offerings to be in a constant state of change and improvement. Glazes will be marked for food safety based only on their recipes - MBACC glazes are not lab tested.
Unwanted studio clay can be deposited into the reclaim buckets for recycling. Clay may not be dumped in the sink or trash. If clay is contaminated with wax, underglaze, dirt or other materials, it can not be recycled - contaminated clay must be discarded directly into the bucket under the sink. Clay may not be removed for personal use from the reclaim buckets.
Students and members may request permission to bring in commercial cone 6 glazes, and are required to test them responsibly. Those who continuously damage kiln shelves will forfeit the privilege of bringing in outside glazes and may be charged for damaged kiln shelves.
Individuals are responsible for glazing their pieces appropriately and safely. MBACC is not responsible for ensuring commercial glazes work effectively with the studio’s clay bodies. MBACC is not responsible for damage, defects or injury that are resultant of irresponsible glazing.
Finished Pottery
Bisque and finished glazeware in the hallway may be stored for a maximum of 8 weeks from the sticker date that is on the piece. Work that is not collected after 8 weeks will be moved to a Last Chance shelf, and after that the pots are disposed of.
Scheduling
Students may access the studio during their class, and for open studio time the day before and day after their class from 9:30am-9:00pm, when no other programming is taking place in the classroom.
The studio will be temporarily closed for community events such as MBACC’s biannual Open Studios weekend and other occasional, scheduled events that may or may not be limited to the entire studio or just the ceramics classroom. Advance notice by way of postings and emails will be sent out for all scheduled interruptions, for which no refunds are issued.
Cleaning
Any area worked in must be completely clean when work is finished, including but not limited to sponging down tables, mopping floors, wiping glaze puddles, etc. Members and students are required to familiarize themselves with the posted cleaning instructions in the studio. No materials are permitted to go down the sink. Wheels must be cleaned thoroughly with no remnants of clay remaining. Individuals who continuously leave a mess in the studio despite guidance and warnings will not be permitted to continue taking classes or renew CSA memberships.
Etiquette
All students and members shall be respectful of the other occupants of the building including other students, members, residents, staff, etc. Loud phone or in-person conversations, music, radios, noisy animals or loud mechanical operations are disruptive. Loud mechanical operations including wet sanding must be limited to early and late studio hours when the least amount of occupants are present, and should not go on for more than 10 minutes at a time. Incoming phone calls must be taken in a location away from the studio, such as outside the building or in a car. When asked by others to lower the sound of such noises, all shall comply with such requests. Individuals who do not abide by these rules will not be considered for renewal of a subsequent term or class.
Individuals are expected to engage with other studio members, students, residents, instructors, staff and visitors in a respectful manner. In an effort to foster a creative, positive environment, yelling, aggression, name-calling and any other disrespectful behavior and language will result in removal from the program without refund.
Guidance
The Ceramics Program Director is available for all questions related to studio operations. Individuals seeking extensive assistance with creative projects, glazing, throwing, etc. must register for a class, during which an instructor can answer their questions.
Restricted Areas
The Kiln Room, glaze lab and other marked areas are restricted to staff and individuals who have been given appropriate safety training. Resident artist studios may not be entered without permission.
Keys and FOBs
Keys are assigned out to individuals and may not be shared or loaned. There is a $100 deposit on keys for all new members. The cost to replace a lost key or FOB is $100.
Access
Guests are not allowed without permission from the Director, and may not use MBACC materials or equipment. Animals are not permitted, with the exception of registered service animals.
MBACC requires cooperation with all building policies, workspace security, work hours, lock up, and use of entrances and exits. CSAs must lock both doors to Room 2 when leaving. Students lock the classroom when unoccupied. Everyone is responsible more ensuring the exterior exit doors are securely closed when leaving. Individuals may not let anyone else borrow their fob or keys, including family, friends or other CSAs.
Sharing knowledge, techniques and skills with other MBACC Ceramic Program participants is an important part of a communal studio and such is welcomed. Individuals may not conduct private, paid lessons, classes or workshops using MBACC facilities or equipment.
Firing
Combustibles and organics such as leaves, latex, stickers, cloth, paper, etc should not be left on pottery headed for the kiln.
The maximum dimension allowed to students for firing is 11” - pieces larger than this will not be fired.
Loss
Due to the high volume of pots that are taken in and out of the kiln, occasionally pieces are broken by staff and studio technicians. Individuals may be offered free clay in the amount that they originally used to re-make the piece. Monetary reimbursements or credits will not be given.
MBACC has a zero-tolerance policy for theft. Individuals found to be stealing clay or any other MBACC materials or property will be removed from the program immediately without refund.
Etiquette
All studio users shall be respectful of the other occupants of the building including students, members, residents, staff, etc. Loud phone or in-person conversations, music, radios, noisy animals or loud mechanical operations are disruptive. Mechanical operations including wet sanding must be limited to early and late studio hours when the least amount of occupants are present, and should not go on for more than 10 minutes at a time. Incoming phone calls must be taken in a location away from the studio, such as outside the building or in a car. When asked by others to lower the sound of such noises, all shall comply with such requests. Individuals who do not abide by these rules will not be permitted to continue participating in programming.
Individuals are expected to engage with other studio members, students, residents, instructors, staff and visitors in a respectful manner. In an effort to foster a creative, positive environment, yelling, aggression, name-calling and any other disrespectful behavior and language will result in removal from the program without refund.
CSA (Ceramic Studio Artist) specific Guidelines
All Studio Policies and the CSA policies below are applicable to the CSA Program
This program is currently full
Eligibility
Individuals seeking to join the CSA Program must demonstrate they are able to work independently, glaze safely, and follow all studio policies. Extensive experience with clay is required. Acceptance into the program will be based off of a successful application and interview process; being on the waitlist alone does not guarantee acceptance into the program. When called on to fill a CSA spot, applicants have 72 hours to decide if they would like to join the program or not. If they are not ready but would like to be contacted at a later time, they must go to the bottom of the waitlist.
Keys and Fobs
Keys are assigned out to individuals and may not be shared or loaned. CSAs must be registered for fobs to work and to be in possession of studio keys. Fobs and keys must be dropped off when terms expire, at which time a key deposit will be returned if applicable. There is a $100 deposit on keys for all new CSA members. The cost to replace a lost key or fob is $100.
CSA Membership Duration
CSA memberships cost $45/week (subject to change). New CSAs begin with a 10-week membership as a trial period. CSAs who demonstrate they can in fact work independently, glaze responsibly and abide by all policies may be allowed to continue their membership. After 10 weeks, CSAs may continue their membership in 10, 26 (6 months), or 52 (one year) week packages. An annual commitment enjoys a 10% discount on membership.
Payment
Payment is due no later than the first day of a new CSA term. Payments that are more than 7 days late will incur a $25 late fee. CSAs who are more than 30 days late paying shelf rent forfeit their shelf. CSAs must give two weeks notice if they will not be renewing and must clear their shelf by the end of their term.
A $100 key deposit is due for new CSAs and will be returned when the CSA rental is terminated. A $25 New CSA orientation fee is required for all new CSAs who have no familiarity with MBACC Ceramics programming. This fee is waived for new CSAs who have taken an MBACC class.
Refund Policy
Once registered for a CSA term weeks are not refundable or transferable for any reason. Upon registration CSAs commit to their selected dates and will not receive refunds or credits for time not used. Gaps between CSA terms are not allowed. Subletting shelves while away is not permitted.
The studio will be temporarily closed for community events such as MBACC’s biannual Open Studios weekend and other occasional, scheduled events that may or may not be limited to the entire studio or just the ceramics classroom. Advance notice by way of postings and emails will be sent out for all scheduled interruptions, for which no refunds are issued.
CSA terms will not be refunded due to unforeseen necessary repairs, out of stock or supply issues, or other circumstances out of the control of MBACC.
Workspace
CSAs rent a personal shelf in Room 2 - Room 2 is the primary work area for CSAs. CSA’s with more than 50lbs of weight on their shelf will be asked to bring items home so as not to damage or warp the shelf. CSAs are expected to make room for other members in communal work areas.
A minimal amount of additional space designated for work in progress (“WIP”) is available on a first-come first-served basis, however all CSAs should plan to keep their work, tools, aprons, and any other belongings on their own shelves. Personal items may not be left in common areas including but not limited to next to the sink, on the tables, etc. Personal items may not be stored on the coat racks overnight. Personal aprons may not be stored in communal areas and must be clean to be stored on CSA shelves. CSAs with excessively dirty shelves that pose dust risks will be asked to clean their shelves.
CSAs may use the classroom when it is unoccupied. CSAs may not use the classroom while programming is happening, including but not limited to classes, workshops, events, parties, etc. Removing shared materials such as slab roller mats, glazes, wax, etc. during programming is not permitted; CSAs must wait to use the space and borrow materials when programming has ended.
Materials
MBACC provides all clay, glazes and additional materials. Firings are handled by the staff. MBACC maintains a minimal amount of tools for general use - CSAs are encouraged to purchase their own personal sets of tools. Clay is purchased through the program at $30 (subject to change) per 25-lb bag and can be purchased anytime. Recycled clay is available at a discounted rate of $20 (subject to change) per 25-lb bag of clay. Clay from outside of MBACC is not allowed.
Firing
Combustibles and organics such as leaves, latex, stickers, cloth, paper, etc should not be left on pottery headed for the kiln.
The maximum dimension allowed for firing is 16” - pieces larger than this will not be fired and until September 15, 2025 will be given last priority for firing order. Effective September 15, 2025, oversize fees for pottery over 11” will be calculated using formula L x W x H x $0.05. The minimum dimension measured will be 1” and the maximum 16”. All measurements will be rounded to the nearest half inch. Kiln cookies do not count as part of measurement. Measurements are taken by staff prior to the piece being bisque fired. Oversized pieces will be left on an Oversized Pottery shelf with the date and the overage fee amount due. Once paid, the piece will be fired. Refiring an oversized pot will cost the same.
Undersized bisque and glaze pieces may be refired one time at no additional charge.
Scheduling
CSA work hours are 7am-10pm daily. Ceramic artists use the building’s left side (west) door as the main point of entry and exit. Key fobs are programmed to unlock these side doors during work hours while a CSA is registered. CSAs must give a minimum of two weeks notice if they are not renewing their membership and clear their shelves on the last day of their term. Artwork can be picked up after all firings are complete. Fobs and keys must be returned at this time.
Communication
The Ceramics Program Director will communicate all issues directly with individuals or general concerns with the group via email. Classroom or studio closures will be posted on signage in both Room 2 and outside the classroom. Urgent issues may be relayed to via text message or phone calls when necessary.