800 Moss Street

Access Arts Fibers Studio Policies & Procedures Aug. 2025

Access Arts’ mission is to make arts more accessible to the underserved, and provide creative learning opportunities to the whole community. Our goal is to provide an encouraging atmosphere to enhance the experiences of students in our professionally equipped facilities. The weaving studio is located at 800 Moss St, Columbia, MO 65201 and houses weaving and spinning equipment such as 4-harness, 8-harness, jack and counterbalance floor looms. 4-harness, 8-harness table looms, spinning wheels and frame looms. To keep a safe, efficient, and healthy working environment for everyone, we ask that all members of the Fibers community follow these procedures.

Class Times: Students should arrive no earlier than fifteen minutes before the scheduled class time. (Ex. you may arrive at 5:45pm for a 6:00pm class) Students should be cleaned up and ready to leave the studio by the completion of class or open studio hours.

Open Studio: Open studio times are offered as a benefit to students taking a class, as well as offered alone as an independent study option. There are no Open Studio hours between class terms. This is the time we utilize for maintenance of looms and prepare our studio for the next session. Open studio members must be able to work independently, and be confident in studio policy and safety. Staff is not available for assistance during Open Studio times. Unless the student makes an appointment.

Bad Weather Make-up Classes: Classes canceled due to weather or illness of the instructor will be made up as soon as possible. You will be notified by the instructor or Studio Manager if class is canceled for inclement weather, so make sure your instructor has your correct contact information. If class is NOT canceled, but snowy/icy weather still occurs, please do not park in the parking lot at Moss, as the incline makes it difficult to get out with bad road conditions.

Makeup classes will not be provided for individual students who miss class due to personal reasons. Please plan your schedules accordingly and make the most of your 6 classes and open studio time.

Cell Phones: In order to maintain a focused work environment we ask that you respect your fellow students and faculty by silencing your cell phone at the start of class and open studio. If you must take a call, please move out of the class work space so as to not disturb other students.

Personal Safety: Each student is responsible for working in a safe and conscientious manner while in the studio, being mindful of the safety of themselves and others. If for any reason a student is deemed not to be doing so by Access Arts faculty or staff, they may be asked to leave the studio. All students must wear closed toed shoes while in the studio. It is not safe to walk barefoot in the Fibers Studio.

Email Correspondence: The studio manager will email all students at the beginning and near the end of class sessions to communicate important information. Please make sure you are reading End-Of-Session and Upcoming Class emails, as information may change session by session. Email is the best way to get in touch with the studio manager or your instructor.

Class Supplies: Materials are included as part of the class fee, students receive enough materials from the fiber studio in order to complete the class projects. Students will not receive materials for an independent proposal. Students may pay additional fees when working larger in scale. Students are allowed to supply any of their own yarns, fiber tools, or media upon approval of Access Arts staff or Studio Manager.

Dye and Dye Safety: Dyes will dry and become airborne. If spills and even small drips are not wiped up immediately it can be a danger to our health. Food and drink should only be consumed in the weaving studio area. Do not eat around dyes or other chemicals in the studio. If you or any Access Arts Staff member becomes pregnant please let the Fibers Studio Manager know right away.

Tools: We offer a range of tools for students to use during class time and open studio. Personal tools should be kept at the designated work area or taken home after each class/open studio meetings. All personal items should be labeled with the students’ initials to avoid them getting mixed in with classroom tools.

Aprons: Students are welcome to use aprons provided by Access Arts. Please return your apron to the appropriate place when class has finished for the day/evening.

Abandoned Items: Any items (yarn, tools, unfinished work etc.) left in the Fibers studio after the last day of open studio of a session will be forfeited back to the studio, unless the student is returning for the next session and has re-enrolled.

Clean-up

Clean up is the responsibility of the student both after class and Open Studio. Students are responsible for keeping their work and break area clean. Please return communal items back to their home ex. Books on the bookshelf, any tools from the closet, dishes from the break area.

Chemical Sink V.S Food Sink: There are two designated sinks for paints, dyes, and any chemicals used in the fibers studio on the classroom floor of Moss. There is a designated sink in the weaving studio for cleaning any food, or food safe dishes. The mini fridge, coffee maker and tea kettle are all open to students enrolled in a fibers class and Access Arts Staff. Please clean up after yourself no food should be left in any sinks.

Tables and Surfaces Wipe up all tables and surfaces you have used, please leave any communal areas ready for other programming.

Floors Please use the vacuum in the weaving studio to clean up any loose threads or fibers left on the ground after a work day.

Please contact your instructor at their @schoolofservice email address, or the studio manager at FIBERS@schoolofservice with any questions or concerns. Thank you!

Conflict Resolution Policy

During your class session with Access Arts, if you are experiencing frustration, difficulty, or harassment in the studio, we strongly encourage you to talk to your instructor or inform the Studio Manager. They can be reached directly at: FIBERS@schoolofservice.org

In the event that students are found violating Access Arts policy, the studio manager will contact the student either in-person or via email about their infraction. If violations continue after this initial conversation, the studio manager may use their discretion to enforce penalties. These may include but are not limited to: dismissal of the student from their current class, suspension of the student from taking future fiber classes, or expelling the student from the fiber studio.

Access Arts is an organization founded on the inclusion of all individuals to experience the arts. Any discrimination, abusive or harmful language, or behaviors against themselves, students, or staff will not be tolerated. Students who conduct themselves in this manner will be expelled from the studio.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact the studio manager at: FIBERS@schoolofservice.org or our office at: accessarts@schoolofservice.org.