Questions should be directed to workshops@sheepandwool.com, but sometimes I forget and email from nysswworkshops@gmail.com.  Both work!

2025 Dates:  Thursday, October 16 - Sunday, October 19.

We look  for instructors with broad appeal in teaching traditional or innovative fiber-related arts but are also open to “fiber adjacent” workshops, too.  If you’re not sure, ask!!

BEFORE SUBMITTING PROPOSALS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Communication is vital and is a major consideration in choosing to bring instructors back .  I try to answer emails within two business days and I expect the same.

Check spam regularly - both email addresses  have a tendency to be flagged as spam.

To keep costs down, I tend to choose instructors who live in the eastern part of the country. If you are more than 3 hours away, consider proposing at least three days of workshops.

Instructors must be eligible to work in the U.S.  We do not have the resources to aid in obtaining work VISAs.

Applying to be a vendor?  The workshop schedule is finalized well before new vendors are selected, so if your plan is to do both, you should wait until you’re selected as a vendor before applying to be an instructor.

Class size should be between 10-15 students.  Exceptions can be considered.

Instructors collect their own material fees - there will be a spot on the form to indicate your preference on collection (Side note - have a refund policy ahead of time).

You’ll need to submit photos of your work to workshops@sheepandwool.com.  Pictures must be attached to the email, jpg - 600x600, no more than 999k in size, and properly named  -  LastName-WorkshopTitle1, LastName-WorkshopTitle2, etc.  (Santucci-BeginningSpinning1, Santucci-BeginningSpinning2, etc.).  Photos that don’t follow these requirements will be rejected.  

PLEASE DO NOT:

Submit proposals that are under development.  

Submit more than one workshop in a single submission.

Submit links to workshop descriptions/catalogs.

Send photos via zip files, DropBox, or other links. 

WORKSHOPS ARE HELD THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY:

* Thursday and Friday workshops are either 3 hours,  6 hours, or multi-day. Classes begin at 9am or 1pm.  There is a one hour break from noon to 1pm with only one food vendor open.

* Saturday workshops are usually 3 hours or 6 hours in length, but 4 hour workshops may be considered.  Classes begin at 10am or 2pm, with a one hour break from 1pm to 2pm.

* Sunday workshops can be anywhere between 2-5 hours in length. Classes begin at 10:00.

ENVIRONMENT (It’s not for everyone and that’s okay!):

* Classrooms are not traditional - they are held in an open uninsulated building divided by curtains and piping and heated by portable propane heaters. Sound can’t be regulated and it can be cold.  If you are soft spoken or sound like a radio announcer, this is probably not the environment for you.

* Workshops requiring water are held outside in heated tents, but due to space limitations, other types of classes can be held in tents, as well.  

* Building D has little natural light.  Overhead lighting is fluorescent - we encourage students to bring battery operated lights, if necessary.

* The Dutchess County Fairgrounds, which hosts the Festival, has a strict no smoking policy, including vaping.

* There is no WIFI at the Fairgrounds - cell reception can be spotty, especially on the weekend.

MISC.:

* Instructors are NOT permitted to sell anything in the classroom. Referring  to your website or to a vendor, is acceptable, but  selling directly to students in the classroom is not. 

* Instructors receive e-tickets if teaching on Saturday/Sunday.

* No visitors to the Workshop area, even for just a few minutes.   

* The Festival reserves the right to cancel any accepted proposal for similar classes being offered online or within 100 miles of said festival  within a period of 45 days before and after the NYS Sheep & Wool Festival.  As we share many of the same registrants as  MDSW and SAFF,  avoid duplication with those events regardless of the time frame. 

ETC.:

Submission form closes January 15, 2025.  If I believe your workshop(s) is of interest, I’ll be in touch to discuss details, including compensation.  

Final decisions will be made by March 15, 2025 by email.  

If your proposal is accepted, a 600x600 pixel headshot (nameheadshot.jpg) will be required for the website.

If you have a relationship with companies who may wish to sponsor, wholly or in part, your workshop, travel, and/or supplies let me know in a separate email.

Best of luck!!

Karen Santucci, Workshop Manager

2025 Workshop Proposal Form