Access Programs
At Snow Farm, we believe that creativity thrives in a community enriched by diverse voices, backgrounds, and experiences. We’re dedicated to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and dynamic environment where everyone feels at home. As part of this commitment, we work to remove barriers and expand opportunities—for our teaching artists, our students, and the communities we serve.
Snow Farm offers a variety of Access Programs that help make the transformative power of creativity available to more people. Each program has a different focus and set of application criteria, and individuals are encouraged to apply to any that fit their situation. As a nonprofit organization, our mission is simple but powerful: to awaken and nourish the life-changing power of creativity—for everyone who seeks it.
Student Access Programs
Workshop Access Program
The Workshop Access Program (WAP) has been serving the community since 2019; it helps defray the cost of a Snow Farm workshop for people who could not otherwise afford to attend. Eligibility is based on household income, and a tax return is part of the application process. Once accepted, participants in WAP can enroll in one workshop per year at a 60% discount on tuition. There is no cost to apply, and up to 30 people can participate in the program each year.
Free Independent Residencies
As the landscape comes alive, and Snow Farm reads for the workshop season, we open our studios for free one-week residencies in April. Residents are provided with housing, kitchen facilities, and 24-hour exclusive use of one studio. Applicants who submit a brief application and fee, and meet the criteria for safe and independent work in the studio will be selected at random for the residency. This relatively new opportunity expands the Snow Farm offerings for experienced artists and complements our other residency offerings.
Work-Study Program
The Work-Study program is an opportunity for students, artists, and craftspeople (ages 18+) to work at Snow Farm campus for 4 to 5 weeks in various capacities in exchange for tuition-free workshops, housing, and meals (when the dining hall is open.) The Program runs from the end of April – October, two work study opportunities are available for each of five sessions.
Scholarships for High School Students
Snow Farm started as a summer program for high school students (called Horizons: The New England Craft Program at the time) and serving teen artists is still an important part of our mission. Snow Farm Summer runs two, 2-week sessions in July, and we offer partial, need-based scholarships to nearly a third of the participants. The application process for Snow Farm Summer includes the scholarship request by default.
Mass Cultural Council Card to Culture Program
We are proud to participate in Mass Cultural Council’s Card to Culture program in collaboration with the Massachusetts Health Connector, and hundreds of organizations by making cultural programming accessible to those for whom cost is a participation barrier. Snow Farm offers the following benefits:
- A 75% discount on tuition for any adult craft/art workshops (excludes our high school program).
- Valid for one craft/art workshop per year/per household.
- Discount does not apply to workshop materials, meals, or accomodations.
- Snow Farm’s participation in the Card to Culture program accommodates one discount participant for each of our 25 sessions.
If you are interested in utilizing this Card to Culture discount, call 413.268.3101 ext. 100 to register for a workshop or to answer any questions.
MassArt Glass Program
In conjunction with MassArt, we’re offering two 50% scholarships each year for students enrolled in one of our glass workshops.
College Craft Connection
Access is based on enrollment in community college (we’re piloting this program in 2025 with Greenfield Community College and Holyoke Community College). The program provides deeply discounted workshop opportunities for local community college students when we have available seats four weeks prior to the start of a workshop.
