Policies

Annual Calendar of Classes

Holyoke Creative Arts Center has 5 semesters:

• Fall
• Winter 1
• Winter 2
• Spring
• Summer

Membership

Students and supporters are invited to join the Holyoke Creative Arts Center as Members for each fiscal year: July 1 - June 30. See Member page for single and family rates. Membership entitles students to take classes at Member tuition rates and to receive member discounts on classes, bus trips, and gallery consignments during the current fiscal year. Membership contributions are tax deductible. Additional tax deductible contributions beyond the basic membership are gratefully accepted to support HCAC programs.

Registering for Classes

Register by:

• Coming into the Center and filling out a Registration Form
• Printing out the Registration Form on this website and mailing or bringing it to the Center
• Filling in the Electronic Form on this site

You can use any of these methods to express an interest in a class or to register and pay for a class. Before paying for a class, check with the Center to make sure the class is running, has not been cancelled, or is not at capacity.

Payment

Make class tuition checks payable to "Holyoke Creative Arts Center" or HCAC. You may include membership fees with tuition. HCAC accepts checks, cash and money orders, credit cards and PayPal.

Confirming Your Registration & Class Minimum Enrollment

Your registration is considered confirmed when payment is received in all cases. Current students are provided with a pre registration period to continue in a class they are presently enrolled in.

 All classes are offered to the public on a first come, first serve basis and run if minimum enrollment is reached. If the class you select has not reached minimum enrollment when you contact the Center to register, you will be notified at least 48 hours before the scheduled start. If the class has not met minimum enrollment by that time, it will either be postponed or cancelled. (If you do NOT receive a call from the Center and are not sure if your class has met the minimum enrollment, please be sure to call and confirm that your class is running before attending.)

Cancellations & Refunds

See the Registration Form for details

Class Make Ups

Once you have registered for a class, the class sessions you have purchased are yours to attend or not as you choose. If you miss a session, a make up is only possible if the Instructor is offering more than one section of that class. Make up classes may not be carried over from one semester to the next.

Materials & Equipment

Class tuition fees do not include materials. Most classes provide materials and equipment lists of items students are recommended to purchase and bring to class. Some classes offer the option of purchasing materials from the Instructor. A few, such as chair seating, require a two week pre order period before class begins to order appropriate caning materials. When you call to register, always ask our Administrators for any materials lists needed for your class.

Closings

The Center will be closed on national Monday holidays, Thanksgiving week and during the two weeks from Christmas to New Years Day.

Stormy Weather & School Closings:

In the event of inclement weather, visit www.holyokecac.org, or call the Center for a recorded message. In general, the Center closing due to inclement weather the same as Holyoke Public Schools. HCAC will schedule make ups or provide refunds for any classes we cancel.

HCAC Scholarship Opportunities

Income eligible adults and youth who are Holyoke residents may apply for class scholarships funded by the efforts of the Friends of the Holyoke Creative Arts Center. Income eligibility is determined by the federal guidelines for low and moderate income by household size. Applications must be made in person when registering for classes before the beginning of each semester.
The students must be prepared to purchase a membership to the center. Limited funding is distributed on a first come, first served basis until funds are expended.

Emergency Contact

Please list an emergency contact person (with phone number) on the Registration form who will be available during the time you or your child is in class at the Center.

Parking and Access

The Center is handicap accessible and has free parking with evening security personnel at its facility in the rear of the South Street Plaza.