What should I bring to class? Are materials included?
Most classes do not have materials included. Please refer to the full course write-up in the Associate course program
guide or online to determine whether a student supply list is available to download from our website.
There are some instances in which the instructor provides supplies in the form of a kit to be ordered
from them directly, or where supplies are discussed at the first class meeting. Information on supplies
is contained in each course description.
When ordering supplies from an instructor or online store, please allow sufficient time for your items to be shipped prior to the first class.
What should I wear to a studio arts class?
We recommend wearing comfortable clothing that you won't mind getting a little messy.
If you're coming from work, bring a smock or old shirt to protect your nice clothes from any damage.
Where can I find my supply list?
Supply lists are available for download at the same time the class goes on sale
and can be found on the course page; either by searching for the event code
or by selecting the first date of the class from the calendar on our homepage.
Where will my class be held?
All online classes are held in the Zoom meeting format. You will receive a
link in a confirmation email after you register for the class, in a welcome email
from associates-studioarts.si.edu one week prior to the class start date, and
again 30min before the first class begins. Zoom links are not sent out each week
so please be sure to hold onto your welcome email for the duration of your multi-session class.
Most in-person classes are held on the National Mall in the S. Dillon Ripley Center classrooms,
while some classes are held at other locations. Check your tickets and/or the Associate class description
for this information.
Still have questions?
Contact us
My class is at the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Where can I park?
When are classes typically announced?
New classes are typically announced on a seasonal basis via our monthly Smithsonian Associates program guide:
Can I bring a friend or spouse to class?
Can a teenager participate in a studio arts course?
Unless specifically described as a class for teens, studio arts classes are designed for
participants age 16 and up. We do have unique summer camp experiences specifically for
children K-8th grade. Information on our summer camp programming is generally available
on our summer camp website beginning in February.
Can I enroll after a class has begun?
You may register late for a class if there is still space available and the instructor agrees
to add another student. To join a class already underway, please
contact our Customer Service team.
What is the inclement weather policy?
In the case of severe weather, classes may be postponed. Announcements regarding
class schedules for the day(s) in question will be posted on the Studio Arts Inclement
Weather Hotline at 202-633-8690 at least two hours prior to the start of class time.
Information regarding class postponements will also be posted on the home page
of the Smithsonian Associates website and social media.
I have to miss a session of class; can I attend another section?
The majority of Studio Arts classes are recorded and made available to
registered students via a password protected drop box folder link.
The recordings are not downloadable. Recordings are uploaded within
24-48hrs of a class session, all recordings for a course are in the same
drop box folder and are available until one week after the final course meeting.
The drop box folder link for the recording/s and the password are sent in
a welcome email from associates-studioarts.si.edu one week prior to the
first class meeting. The link will not be emailed out week-to-week, so please
hold onto your welcome email for the duration of your multi-week class.
The class description on our website will specifically state if a class
is not being recorded.
Attending another class session of a course section (e.g. Beginning Drawing, online or
in person) won't be possible. Classes are specifically structured and they often run
at full capacity and at different paces. This makes it impossible to accommodate visitors
from other classes. We recommend that you check your schedule carefully before committing to
a multiple-session class, to ensure that you are free and able to get the most from
your educational experience. If you must miss a class due to your schedule, and have
still chosen to enroll, we recommend speaking to your instructor prior to the class
session you will miss to see if there is an assignment or supplemental reading that
can be done to keep you on schedule. Your instructor will be your best guide in this situation.
I can no longer attend the course that I signed up for. Can I get a refund?
