Ely Folk School

The Ely Folk School is a Place of Connection

Join us in creating spaces where tradition meets innovation, and creativity thrives.

The Ely Folk School builds community by providing learning experiences that celebrate the wilderness, heritage, art, history, culture, and craft of the people of northern Minnesota. At our classes, events, and gatherings, people come together to share their stories and skills in a non-competitive, intergenerational environment. 

For ten years, the Ely Folk School has cultivated belonging in Ely amidst residents, seasonal residents, and tourists alike by creating intentional events where every person's experience has value and every person has an innate capacity for learning and growth. 

The Ely Folk School offers meaningful chances for new connections - to self, to others, to land, and to craft. Programming is diverse, ranging from long-form classes on wheel-throwing and ceramics to regular community potlucks. From classes on regional favorite food dishes to open conversational forums hosted by Ely City Council Members, the Ely Folk School creates programming where people can dive deep into the art of life. 

This year, we are making big investments in our physical classroom spaces and upgrading our entire kitchen - investing in YOUR experience, whether you're attending a class, potluck, or community gathering. Check out our kitchen tab to learn more about the project!

Every donation, no matter the size, will allow the Ely Folk School to continue connecting people to people, to craft, to place, and to themselves. This Give to the Max, we aim to reach 100+ individual donors -  Can you help us get there? Remember, each donation of $5+ on GiveMN.org gives EFS a chance to win additional prizes! 

$10 Donation

A donation of $10 provides hospitality via coffee and tea at one of our 300+ annual programs

$50 Donation

A $50 Donation supports a meeting of an Ely community group, club, guild, or collective in the Ely Folk School. We are proud to be the community kitchen and living room - where creativity blossoms and big ideas take shape.

$100 Donation

A donation of $100 supports the building of a new class and lesson plan with an area instructor, adding to our robust and diverse program schedule and utilizing our brand new kitchen! Don't miss our brand new Spring Rolls or Tom Kha Gai class with Paan of Ely's Thai Cuisine by Paan fame this winter!

$250 Donation

A donation of $250 covers the cost of groceries for the hand pies made by volunteers in the Ely Folk School kitchen and handed out to everyone at our Spring and Winter Bonfires

$500 Donation

A donation of $500 supports our youth Nourishment classes. With EFS Youth & Family Coordinator Jen Toddie and dedicated local chefs, our students learn to bake bread, pie, and more! 

$1,000 Donation

A donation of $1,000 covers our Sliding Scale ticketing tiers for one month. Help us work toward our vision of folk education for everyone.