Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, sometimes! On our workshops page, you can sort by the category “Online Workshops” to see our current available online workshops. All listed times are in the Pacific time zone.

We schedule three workshop terms per year: Spring (January-April), Summer (May-August) and Fall (September-December). Classes will be posted on our website approximately six weeks before the start of each term.

If you’re looking through our listings and everything is full, please sign up for our newsletter and watch for new workshop announcements.

If a workshop is full, we encourage you to sign up for the waitlist.

Once a workshop is full, students are directed to sign up for the waitlist.

In the event of a cancellation, we will contact those on the waitlist, in sign-up order, to see if they’re still interested in taking the class.

At our discretion, In the event of a last-minute cancellation, we will email the entire waitlist at once and the first person to reply will claim the spot.

Unfortunately, if you’re on a waitlist and haven’t heard from us, that means nobody has cancelled and the class is still full.

No. Workshops are limited to registered students only. We do not allow audits or observers, either paid or unpaid and any unregistered visitors will be asked to leave.

SFCB does not issue refunds. Cancellations will receive workshop credit if you cancel seven (7) or more business days before your workshop.

If you cancel 2-7 days before your workshop, no credit will be issued unless a waitlist has been established and another student can take your place, which is not guaranteed. Cancellations with less than 48 hours notice will not receive credit.

If you are having an emergency, please contact us. No-shows (no call or email notice) will not receive accommodations.

Yes! There are a number of scholarship programs available. Click here to read more about the Windgate scholarships and other financial aid opportunities.

Our Windgate scholarship program covers full or 50% tuition, year-round. There are a limited number of scholarships available, and applicants are not guaranteed to receive a scholarship. If you absolutely need to take a particular workshop (for example, to complete a Core workshop series), we recommend that you register and pay the workshop fee.

We have adjustable height tables and chairs, and will be happy to discuss possible accommodations. We request that you give us 2-3 weeks notice before your arrival so that we can be properly prepared.

Please email workshops@sfcb.org before registering for a workshop to let us know what you will need to comfortably and safely participate in a class.

Almost all of our workshops run as scheduled, however you may wish to check in with us at workshops@sfcb.org before purchasing a plane ticket or making nonrefundable travel plans. We’ll be happy to confirm whether we’ve met the student minimum and expect a class to run.

SFCB is located in the Potrero Hill neighborhood, and the lodging within walking distance is limited to private vacation rentals (i.e. Airbnbs). Please note that everything south of SFCB on a map is up a very steep hill. San Francisco hotels are largely located in the Union Square, SoMA, Marina, and Japantown neighborhoods, all of which are a car or bus ride away.

Our Plan Your Visit page has information about getting to SFCB.

This is San Francisco, so the comfortable clothes, shoes, and layers that are ideal outside the building are also ideal inside! Our studios are full of tools and equipment, so we recommend closed-toe shoes; many of our workshops involve standing, so something supportive is ideal.

Check the materials list for your workshop to see if you should bring any tools or materials. We recommend you wear comfortable closed-toe shoes, bring layers, a water bottle, snacks, and reading glasses if you need them, plus any other things you need to work comfortably throughout the day.

There will be a lunch break of at least 30 minutes for daylong workshops, though the exact timing and duration depends on the class flow.

We have a kitchen available with a refrigerator, microwave, and toaster oven for student use. We ask that you not leave items in the fridge overnight unless labeled with your name. There's also a Whole Foods across the street and a few local restaurants within walking distance, though only a few are open on weekends. 

No. Our goal is to teach people the skills needed to pursue their own personal projects on their own time.

Unless otherwise stated in the workshop description, we do not allow students to bring their own materials to use in class. We want students to focus on learning, not on producing a perfect final product.

Self-directed studio access and equipment rentals are a great way to work on your own projects once you have the necessary skills.

Please email workshops@sfcb.org and tell us a bit about yourself and your teaching experience; photos and proposals from past workshops are also welcome. We will be in touch to discuss possibilities.