2027 Guild School

June 12-19, 2027 - Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, Maine

The Guild School is held every June at The Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine. It is an intensive week-long learning experience offering a wide variety of courses taught by exceptionally talented Artisans and Fellows of The Guild.

GUILD SCHOOL IS COMING IN...

What is the Guild School? Arrival Departure Schedule General Information
2027 Instructors and Classes Registration Information
Scholarships Guild School Newsletters


Visit the Guild School on Facebook. View the latest Instagram posts below.

What is the Guild School?

  • 28 instructors, all Artisans or Fellows of the Guild
  • 46 classes to choose from
  • six full days of classes, six to eight hours each day
  • a variety of classes for all skill levels
  • many different media
  • small classes
  • evening seminars
  • student and instructor exhibit
  • minis, munchies and more sale night
  • live and silent auctions
  • lobster dinner
  • graduation night banquet and exhibit of class projects
  • over 200 miniaturists from more than 36 states and 15 other countries
  • a picture-perfect campus in a quaint, historical, coastal village
  • and more!

Guild School 2026 Slideshow

Check out more videos from Guild School 2024 by Darren Scala, Becky Gannon and Latonya Collier. You can also view slideshows and videos from past Guild Schools.


Arrival/Departure Schedule

Students arrive Saturday, June 12 suggested prior to 3:00 PM to register and check into your accommodations
New Student Tour Saturday, June 12 3:45 pm
Opening Event Saturday, June 12 5:30 pm
Classes begin Sunday, June 13 8:00 am
Classes end Friday, June 18 5:30 pm
Graduation Friday, June 18 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Students depart Saturday, June 19 by 10:00 am

 

Bangor International Airport is the closest airport. If you are arriving and departing by plane, transportation can be provided between the airport and the academy for a nominal fee.

General Information

Accommodations and Meals

On Campus housing is not available in 2027.

Meals are served cafeteria-style in the dining hall, a spacious building located in the center of campus. Offerings include a selection of hot entrees that change daily; salad bar; large selection of fruit, cereal, and bread items; coffee, tea, milk, juice, and sodas; ice cream and other dessert items. Specialty meals include the opening dinner, a lobster dinner, and the graduation banquet. Many dietary needs can be accommodated, if communicated well in advance.

Tuition, Housing and Meal Plans

  • $2,200 includes 36 hours of instruction and coffee breaks, a shared room, and meal (only available to volunteers and Board Members)
  • $1,500 includes 36 hours of instruction, (6) lunches and coffee breaks; make your own arrangements for off-campus room and other meals.
  • $350 for an additional 12 hours of classes, for a total of 48 hours of instruction.

Meal Plan Options for off-campus students who find their own lodging (select one):

  • Meal Plan A:  all Breakfasts (7) and all Dinners (7) - $400
  • Meal Plan B:  all Dinners (7) - $300

Additional Charges

Students using the airport shuttle and taking certain seminars will have additional charges. All costs will be identified on the appropriate form.

Payment

Registration requires a minimum deposit of $200, which is applied to the tuition fee. This deposit is non-refundable. Payment can be made by check (from US banks only and in US Dollars), VISA or Master Card.

The tuition fee and additional charges are payable in full before April 1, 2027. Students who have not met this deadline will risk forfeiting their positions in classes with waiting lists.

Discounts/Gifts/Awards

The school is open to non-members as well as Guild members. However, members in good standing receive a $25 discount on the tuition fee. Only one discount is allowed per family.

Full-tuition scholarships to the school are awarded annually. Private sponsorships are accepted.

Miscellaneous

The campus is situated on a hill, and buildings may be as much as a 5–10 minute walk apart. Parking access close to buildings is limited, and not all buildings have easy access to elevators. Paths between buildings are paved. Students concerned about their ability to access all buildings can inquire for more information.

Prior to the start of school, students will receive correspondence regarding seminars and the airport shuttle service. Throughout the year, students will receive updates and announcements via Guild School News emails. Please read these emails as this is the only method of communication throughout the year.

Students will also receive correspondence by April 1 from their instructor(s) regarding necessary supplies, tools, materials fees, etc.

Evening Events

  • Saturday............Afternoon Seminars, Opening Reception & Banquet  |  5:30 PM
  • Sunday and Monday............Seminars  |  7:00–9:30 PM
  • Tuesday............Free Night
  • Wednesday............Lobster Dinner & Live Auction  |  5:30–9:00 PM
  • Thursday............Minis, Munchies & More Sales  |  8:00–9:30 PM
  • Friday............Graduation Reception & Project Display  |  6:30–9:00 PM

Register for Guild School 2027

There are two types of registrations: regular and pre-registered. Here is how it goes.

Pre-Registration (Begins August 1, 2026)

  • Beginning on August 1, GUILD MEMBERS are able to pre-register online for the lottery for classes in 2027.
  • There will be a total of 175 pre-registrations allowed.
  • If there are still openings, non-members will be able to pre-register beginning on August 8.
  • IGMA Memberships will not be processed between August 1 and the 8th.
  • Pre-registration requires a nonrefundable deposit of $200 and allows you first access to the school catalogue and your submission of classes for the lottery held in November. It does not guarantee your first choice. During pre-registration photos of the class prototypes are not available. You only know the instructors and the project title.
  • The maximum number of pre-registrations has been reached.
  • If you have successfully pre-registered, make sure to download and return the class selection and registration form by October 24, 2026.
    Download registration and class selection form

Regular Registration (November 10, 2026 - April 15, 2027)

  • After the lottery, registration will allow others to make a nonrefundable $200 deposit and be placed in classes that are not full.
  • The advantage of regular registration is that the descriptive catalogue is available and you will know all about the classes being offer; whereas pre-registered students only have a listing.
  • Registration for classes ends on April 15. However, late registrations may be accepted based on the approval of the instructor(s) and the director.
  • If you are interested in attending in 2027, email the School Director at guildschooligma@gmail.com

Cancellation

If you must cancel, all the money you have paid to the Guild School, less $200 for administrative costs, is refundable upon cancellation before April 15. The cancellation fee is not applicable to any subsequent school’s tuition.

Cancellations received from April 15-May 1 will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be issued after May 1 as the school is obligated under contract to the instructors and the academy.

The Materials Fee is paid directly to the instructor prior to the start of school or it may be collected at school. This fee is refundable only if a cancellation is filled. A student who cancels does not receive any materials.

Key Points for ALL Registrants:

  • In March, you will receive information on the Seminars being offered.
  • Registration and tuition payments (by check or credit card) can be made by mail, email, or phone.
  • The final balance of the tuition is due by April 1, 2027.
  • Keep an eye on the Guild School Facebook page and Instagram accounts. Watch for the email blasts, Guild School News, throughout the year.

Registration Tips For Newbies!

Going to Guild School for the first time? Here are some helpful tips to set you up for success in registering for IGMA Guild School. We discuss the option of signing up for 36 hours of classes versus 48 hours, details about day & night time events, determining which class levels are suitable and other information we think will help you make the best choices for you.

Visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h4FHalflVWjZPnUnuponmIXR59IP4BAq/view?usp=share_link

 

For Information Contact:

Audrey Tripp
School Director
415 E. Richardson Circle
Hartsville, SC, 29550
843-409-0404
guildschooligma@gmail.com

2027 Classes and Instructors