Five easy ways to sign up! 

Online – 1. Browse the online adult catalog and register. 2. Browse the online youth catalog and register

Browse courses by genre, instructor, or class time. The searchable online catalog will help you make the best choice! Have your credit or debit card ready (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express).

In Person – drop by Open Book
Stop in during regular Loft office hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Education staff can help you chose the best class for you. Appointments are also available. Pay with your credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express), a personal check, or cash.

By Phone – call 612-379-8999
Give us a call during office hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Have your credit or debit card ready (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express).

By Fax – dial 612-215-2576
Print out a registration form and fax it to us marked “Attention: Education.” Pay by credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express). 

Download the registration form.

By Mail – post to the address below

Print out a registration form. Include your credit or debit card information, personal check, or money order. Mail to:

The Loft Literary Center
Attention: Education
Open Book, Suite 200
1011 Washington Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Need to Cancel?

A nonrefundable fee of 15 % is included in each registration. Partial refunds will be granted for cancellations received before the second class meeting (or start of the second week of an online class). We cannot refund for missed classes.

In the rare instance that a teaching artist determines he or she cannot meet the needs of a student, the student’s full tuition will be reimbursed.

Sliding Fee Scale

We want everyone to be able to take Loft classes, so we use sliding registration fees based on your total household income. See the Sliding Fee Scale. Please consider the quality and value of our classes and honor the scale.

Member Discounts

Members pay less! Consider joining the Loft now to enjoy all the benefits of the Loft community, plus an instant discount on all classes. You can become a member on your registration form. To learn more, visit our Join & Support page.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available upon application on a first-come, first-serve basis for select classes. PLEASE NOTE: If your scholarship application is approved, a $15 processing fee will be due prior to enrollment.

Payment Methods

No installment payments. Space cannot be held before receiving full payment. A $20 fee is assessed for bad checks. If an agency, business, or other organization is paying student fees, payment is due at the time of registration. (Purchase orders or intent to pay are not accepted. We do accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover).

Student Acceptance

The Loft reserves the right to refuse a registration for any reason.

Teaching Artists

Loft teaching artists are experienced, professional writers. Many hold advanced degrees and have been awarded a wide range of honors and publications. Each class listing has a full bio of the teaching artist.

What to Bring

Unless otherwise noted in the class description, all you need is pen and paper. Some teaching artists may collect a small copy fee on the first day of class. Bring a sweater as some classrooms may be chilly.

Class Size

Most classes are limited to 17 students; 1- and 2-day classes may have up to 35 participants. 

Class Cancellation

Classes that do not meet a minimum enrollment may be canceled a minimum of 3 business days prior to the first class meeting with full refunds for all registrants.

Bad Weather Policy

Cancellations for weather are extremely rare. Call  612-379-8999 to check on your class. A taped announcement and announcement on the Loft home page will confirm cancellations by 3 p.m. weekdays, 8:30 a.m. Saturdays, and 10 a.m. Sundays.

Accessibility

Open Book is equipped with ramps and elevators for easy wheelchair access.

Location

Most Loft classes meet in Open Book, the Loft's home. Other courses meet at various suburban locations as noted in the class description.

Directions

The Loft is located in the Open Book literary arts center on Washington Ave between 10th Ave S and 11th Ave S. We are near the West Bank of the University of Minnesota and the Guthrie Theater. Location

• From the north: Exit I-35 W at Washington Ave. Turn right (west) and drive 2 1/2 blocks to the Loft at 1011 Washington Avenue South.
• From the south: Exit I-35 W at the U of M West Bank exit. Turn left on Washington Ave across the freeway. Continue 2 and ½ blocks to the Loft at 1011 Washington Ave S.
• From Saint Paul: Exit I-94 W at the 5th St exit. Turn right on Park Ave to Washington Ave. Turn right on Washington Ave and continue to the Loft at 1011 Washington Ave S.
• From the northwest: Exit I-94 E at the 4th St exit. Turn left and follow any north/south street to Washington Ave. Turn right onto Washington Ave and continue to the Loft at 1011 Washington Ave S.

Bus or Train

• Metro Transit has several routes that connect to the bus stop immediately across from Open Book at the corner of 10th Ave S and Washington Ave S.
• The Downtown East/Metrodome light rail station is 3 blocks from Open Book on the Chicago Ave side of the Metrodome. From there, walk north on Chicago Ave toward the river, then turn · right on Washington Ave to Open Book.
• For routes, connections, and schedules call 612-373-3333  or visit www.metrotransit.org.

Parking

Handicapped parking is available in the marked spots in the lot behind Open Book. You may park for free, (first come, first served) in the Open Book lot on the east side of the building. Other options include:

• meters along 10th, 11th, and Washington Avenues and 3rd Street South. Cost: depends on which meter you park at. Bring enough quarters.
• the Valspar parking lot (located between 10th and 11th Avenues just south of 3rd Street), Cost: $2 for up to three hours – just write "Open Book" with your license plate number on the envelope when you deposit it in the pay box.
• the Riverfront Municipal Ramp: 212 9th Avenue South (across from the Guthrie Theater) and the Mill Quarter Ramp: 711 2nd Street South (across from Spoonriver Restaurant). Rates: $2 for the first hour and $6 for second and subsequent hours.

Ultimately, parking in downtown Minneapolis can be challenging (and more expensive) during sporting or other events. Plan ahead!