Michigan Art Center Policies
Welcome to Michigan Art Center (MAC). Our goal is to provide a safe, creative, respectful, and enjoyable environment for all students, artists, instructors, staff, and guests.
Please review the following policies carefully before registering for classes, workshops, private events, open studio, or production pottery access.
Online Registration (Recommended)
- Online registration is the preferred and fastest way to reserve your spot in classes, workshops, and events.
- Registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and must be paid in full at the time of registration.
- Class enrollment is confirmed only after payment is successfully received.
- Michigan Art Center reserves the right to cancel, combine, reschedule, or substitute instructors/classes when necessary.
Phone & Walk-In Registration
- Phone and walk-in registrations are accepted based on availability.
- Spots cannot be guaranteed without payment.
- Full payment is required to hold your registration.
Missed Classes
- Classes missed for personal reasons, illness, travel, work conflicts, weather conditions, or scheduling conflicts are generally not eligible for refunds or make-up sessions.
- Make-up classes are not guaranteed and may only be offered if space and scheduling allow.
- Open studio time is intended to support current class work and does not replace instructional class time.
Refund Policy for Dropped Classes, Workshops & Cancelled Classes
- Refund requests made at least 14 days prior to the class or workshop start date may receive a refund or studio credit, less any applicable processing fees.
- No refunds will be issued once classes or workshops have started.
- Workshops, specialty events, and private events may have separate refund policies.
- If Michigan Art Center cancels a class or workshop, students will receive either:
- a full refund, or
- studio credit toward a future class or event.
Credits
- Studio credits may be issued at the discretion of Michigan Art Center.
- Credits may be used toward eligible MAC classes, workshops, events, or approved purchases.
- Credits are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
- Credits must be used before the expiration date provided at the time of issue.
- Expired credits will not be extended or reissued.
Production Potters
Production potters are approved artists who use MAC studio facilities, kilns, shelving, equipment, and resources for personal or professional ceramic work.
Production potters are expected to:
- Follow all studio safety and cleaning procedures.
- Clearly label all shelves, boards, carts, and work.
- Respect student class areas and shared studio spaces.
- Clean all wheels, tools, glaze areas, and workspaces after use.
- Follow firing schedules and kiln staff instructions.
- Pick up finished work promptly due to limited storage space.
- Use only approved clay bodies and materials unless authorized by MAC.
Michigan Art Center reserves the right to adjust production potter privileges, storage, firing schedules, or access based on studio needs, safety concerns, or policy violations.
Clay
To ensure firing consistency, safety, and proper kiln operation:
- Clay and unfinished work must remain inside the studio.
- Outside clay bodies are not permitted unless approved by MAC staff.
- Students are responsible for labeling clay and work clearly with their first name and last initial.
- Improperly labeled, abandoned, or unidentified clay/work may be recycled.
- Clay allocations may vary depending on class type, membership, or studio program.
Personal Belongings Left on Shelves
- Please do not leave personal belongings, tools, food, beverages, or non-studio items on shelves for extended periods.
- Michigan Art Center is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal items.
- Unclaimed items may be moved, donated, recycled, or discarded if left for an extended period.
Wetware Cutoff Date
- Wet or leather-hard work must be completed by the posted semester cutoff date.
- Work not ready for firing by the cutoff date may not be fired during the current semester cycle.
- Students are encouraged to manage project timelines carefully to allow adequate drying and firing time.
Bisqueware | Glazed Pieces
Due to limited shelving and storage space:
- Students are responsible for picking up bisque and glazed work promptly after notification.
- Bisqueware waiting for glaze should be completed in a timely manner.
- Private event pieces will remain in the designated pickup area for up to 3 months after notification.
- Unclaimed work may be moved, donated, recycled, or discarded after the designated holding period.
Michigan Art Center is not responsible for damage to work left beyond designated pickup periods.
Studio Time
- Open studio time is available only to currently enrolled students, approved members, staff, or authorized artists.
- Students are expected to clean their work areas, wheels, tools, tables, splash pans, and shared spaces after use.
- Please respect other students, instructors, production potters, and shared studio equipment.
- MAC reserves the right to suspend studio privileges for unsafe behavior, repeated policy violations, or misuse of studio property.
Drop-Ins
- Drop-in studio use may be available based on space, staffing, and studio scheduling.
- Advance approval or registration may be required.
- All drop-in participants must follow MAC policies, safety procedures, and studio guidelines.
Studio Safety & Liability
Participation in pottery and studio activities involves inherent risks, including but not limited to:
- Minor cuts or abrasions from tools or equipment
- Burns from kilns or hot surfaces
- Slip, trip, or fall hazards due to wet floors, clay residue, cords, mats, or uneven surfaces
- Lifting or handling materials, buckets, shelves, or equipment
By participating in classes, workshops, private events, open studio, or studio activities, participants voluntarily assume these risks and agree to follow all studio safety rules and staff instructions.
To help maintain a safe environment:
- Walk carefully at all times as floors may be wet or slippery.
- Closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended.
- No running inside the studio.
- Kiln room access is restricted to authorized kiln technicians only.
- Grinding or mechanical tools may only be used under staff guidance.
- Please request rolling carts when transporting large or heavy pieces.
- Mats are intended for standing comfort and safety only. Please do not roll glaze buckets or equipment across mats.
Michigan Art Center LLC, its owners, instructors, staff, and affiliates shall not be held liable for minor injuries occurring during normal participation in studio activities.
Private Events & Alcohol Policy
Michigan Art Center may allow alcohol at select private events.
- Guests consuming alcohol must be 21 years or older.
- Guests consuming alcohol do so at their own responsibility.
- Michigan Art Center reserves the right to refuse participation to anyone appearing impaired or acting unsafely.
- Alcohol is not permitted near active pottery wheels, kilns, or restricted studio areas.
- MAC reserves the right to end events or remove participants for unsafe or disruptive behavior.
Photo & Media Release
Michigan Art Center may photograph or record classes, workshops, private events, or studio activities for marketing and promotional purposes.
If you prefer not to appear in photos or videos, please notify staff in writing.
Right to Refuse Service
Michigan Art Center reserves the right to refuse service, participation, studio access, or event attendance to anyone engaging in unsafe, disruptive, disrespectful, or inappropriate behavior.
Policy Updates
Michigan Art Center reserves the right to update or modify studio policies at any time to improve studio operations, safety, organization, and participant experience.
Contact Information
Disclaimer
Information provided on this website, including class schedules, pricing, memberships, workshops, policies, studio hours, events, products, and services, may be updated, modified, or changed at any time without prior notice.
While Michigan Art Center strives to provide accurate and up-to-date information, occasional typographical errors, pricing inaccuracies, scheduling changes, or product availability changes may occur.
Participation in pottery, ceramics, workshops, private events, open studio sessions, and other studio activities involves inherent risks, including but not limited to:
- minor cuts or abrasions,
- burns from kilns or hot surfaces,
- slip, trip, or fall hazards,
- equipment-related injuries,
- and possible breakage or damage to ceramic work during drying, glazing, firing, handling, shelving, or transportation.
By registering for or participating in Michigan Art Center activities, participants acknowledge and voluntarily accept these inherent risks.
Michigan Art Center LLC, its owners, instructors, employees, independent contractors, volunteers, and affiliates shall not be held liable for:
- minor injuries occurring during normal participation,
- loss or damage to pottery or personal belongings,
- missed classes due to weather, emergencies, instructor illness, equipment failure, or unforeseen operational circumstances,
- or temporary interruptions to studio operations, equipment, firing schedules, or facility access.
Michigan Art Center reserves the right to:
- refuse service,
- terminate registrations, memberships, or studio access,
- remove participants from classes, workshops, private events, open studio sessions, or studio activities,
if conduct violates studio policies, creates unsafe conditions, damages property, disrupts studio operations, or negatively impacts staff, students, or guests.
Violation of studio policies or safety guidelines may result in immediate dismissal from studio activities without refund.