Daily Schedule

Daily Schedule | Selecting a Workshop

Be it in the Twin Cities or at the Cloquet Forestry Center, Split Rock offers an inclusive community of writers, visual artists, designers, and people from many walks of life for whom creative expression is both bread and honey. This allows for a dynamic arts community to emerge during each of Split Rock's seven program weeks.

Because Split Rock offers an occasion for intense engagement in art, participants may enroll in only one Short, workshop, or retreat per week. Prior to the start of each workshop, participants should expect to spend time completing pre-workshop assignments, readings, and materials assembly.

All workshops begin with an orientation and initial workshop meeting on Sunday afternoon. Both Split Rock Shorts and weeklong workshops conclude with a celebratory dinner on Wednesday and Friday evenings, respectively. Though in-class schedules vary, participants can expect to be involved in their workshops from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

From informal readings and exhibitions, to receptions and studio visits, life at Split Rock in the Twin Cities is invigorating and peppered with special events. In addition, weeklong workshops are host to Split Rock's popular Soirées. The Cloquet Forestry Center offers participants a more evenly paced, retreat-style atmosphere in which the beauty and serenity of the natural world are central to the week’s creative work.

Three-Day Shorts at a Glance
Split Rock Shorts are three-day intensives that allow participants to experiment with select media, genres, topics, and forms. Because Shorts involve intense engagement in art, participants may enroll in only one Short during the week.

Participants taking Split Rock Shorts in the Twin Cities arrive on Sunday for an orientation and introductory workshop meeting (4-6 p.m.), all at the renowned Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art.

Though in-class schedules vary, participants can expect to be involved in their workshops from approximately 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Wednesday. Activities may include reading, research, instruction, independent studio work or writing time, critique of visual work, workshop of manuscripts, one-on-one conferences with instructors, as well as informal time to meet with fellow participants.

Wednesday evening’s Closing Dinner (7-10 p.m.), allows Shorts to conclude as they began—with a communal gathering that gives participants time to relax, reflect, and socialize. After dinner, each workshop will have the opportunity to share something about what they've learned and/or created. Presentations may be metaphorical or literal; they may serious or light-hearted. Some workshop groups share individual or collaborative work; some share anecdotes about their experiences. Anything goes!

For those staying at Yudof Hall, checkout on Thursday is no later than 11 a.m.

Weeklong Workshops at a Glance
Split Rock’s weeklong workshops begin Sunday afternoons and end Friday evenings. Because each workshop involves intense engagement in art, participants may enroll in only one workshop per week.

Participants taking weeklong workshops in the Twin Cities arrive on Sunday for an orientation and introductory workshop meeting (4-6 p.m.), all at the renowned Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art.

Though in-class schedules vary, participants can expect to be involved in their workshops from approximately 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Activities may include reading, research, group instruction, independent studio work or writing time, critique of visual work, workshop of manuscripts, one-on-one conferences with instructors, as well as informal time to meet with fellow participants.

Tuesday’s Split Rock Soirée (7 p.m.) is a public presentation of readings and artists' talks that celebrate the energy and accomplishments of Split Rock faculty. The evening concludes with an informal reception that gives participants time to enjoy refreshments, speak with the artists, have books signed, and browse through the presenters’ publications and Split Rock memorabilia.

On Fridays (June 27, July 11, and July 18, 3-4:30 p.m.), Split Rock’s Open Studio event showcases the work created by participants in visual art and design workshops.

On Fridays (July 25 and August 1, 3-5 p.m.), Split Rock hosts two Open Mic events to showcase the work created by participants in creative writing workshops.

Friday evening’s Closing Dinner (7-10 p.m.), allows the week to conclude as it began—with a communal gathering that gives participants time to relax, reflect, and socialize. After dinner, each workshop will have the opportunity to share something about what they've learned and/or created. Presentations may be metaphorical or literal; they may serious or light-hearted. Some workshop groups share individual or collaborative work; some share anecdotes about their experiences. Anything goes!

For those staying at Yudof Hall, checkout on Saturday is no later than 11 a.m.

Weeklong Retreats at a Glance
Retreats at the Cloquet Forestry Center offer participants an evenly paced atmosphere in which the beauty and serenity of the natural world are central to the week’s creative work. Because retreats involve intense engagement in art, participants may enroll in only one retreat per week.

Participants attending retreats arrive at the Center on Sunday for check in (3-4 p.m.), group orientation (4-5 p.m.), and get-acquainted dinner (6 p.m.). The instructor will schedule, during this same period, a brief introductory workshop meeting.

Though in-class schedules vary, and are determined by the instructor, participants can expect to be involved in their workshops from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Activities may include reading, research, instruction, independent studio work or writing time, critique of visual work, workshop of manuscripts, one-on-one conferences with instructors, as well as informal time to meet with fellow participants.

Breakfast is served Monday-Saturday at 8 a.m.; lunch is served Monday-Friday at Noon; and dinner is served Sunday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday at 6 p.m. On Wednesday evening, participants will be on their own to go, either as a group or independently, to Cloquet or Duluth for dinner.

During the lunch hour on Monday, a Split Rock staff member will visit to answer questions and offer participants the opportunity to purchase Split Rock memorabilia and books authored by or about the instructor(s).

All retreats end at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Check out is no later than 11 a.m.