Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2012	Mar. 30, 2012
Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	ARTS WAY MANUFACTURING CO INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000007623
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-01
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		4,029,852
Document Information
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Feb. 29, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1