General Registration Policies

The Dutch Atelier of Realist Art (DARA) accepts students of any nationality, race or ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, medical status, marital or civil status, religion, or creed. Enrolment is open to students ages 12 and up. For students under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must provide DARA with his or her express written permission for the student to participate as a condition of enrolment.

Unless stated otherwise, all courses offered at DARA use English as the primary language for group discussions or demonstrations. Frequently, instructors can offer students individual feedback in Dutch or other languages; however, working fluency in English is a required condition of enrolment.

Regular attendance is expected of all students. Students who know ahead of time that they cannot commit to attending a minimum of 80% of a course should not apply. DARA reserves the right to refuse further enrolment to students who show a continued pattern of poor attendance.

Applications & Right of Refusal

There is an application process in place for all courses offered at DARA. In order to be considered for a course (or placed on the waiting list, if the course is full) it is required to complete an online application. First, navigate to a course page and click the "Apply Now" near the top of the screen, which will direct to our online application form.

Personal information entered in the application includes the following:

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Current address
• Telephone number
• E-mail address
• Name and telephone number of the person DARA should notify on the applicant's behalf in case of an emergency at the studio
• Previous relevant fine arts education or training completed
• Self-assessment of technical skills in traditional drawing and painting media
• Examples of recent drawings and/or paintings
• Any relevant medical information that DARA needs to know
• (Workshops only) Allergies or other dietary restrictions that DARA must accommodate when serving meals

Some courses have pre-requisites which students need to meet to be considered eligible. This is always indicated on the course page. DARA determines an applicant's eligibility based on the demonstrated skill in the work submitted in the application, how well this correlates with the applicant's self-assessment of technical skill, and the stated reasons for study.

Right of Refusal
DARA reserves the right to refuse enrolment under the following circumstances:

• Applicants who are deemed, at the sole discretion of DARA instructors and/or administrative staff, to be insufficiently qualified for a course, or otherwise not in alignment with our stated mission.
• Applicants who have previously demonstrated a consistent pattern of poor attendance.
• Applicants who have previously been dismissed from DARA due to refusal to follow studio policies, and/or disruptive behaviour prohibited by Code of Conduct.

Payment Policies

Our Tuition Fees page states current fees for all study programmes. ​Tuition fees are subject to annual increase.

Tuition fees always include:

• Storage space for artwork and supplies for the duration of the course;
• Easels, stools, and drawing boards;
• Live model fees;
• Coffee, tea, and light refreshments served during all hours;
• (Workshops Only) Complimentary light lunch served daily;
• (Workshops Only) End-of-workshop borrel (light drinks & snacks) on the final evening of lessons.

If a course includes anything extra, this will be indicated on the materials list. For most courses, drawing and painting materials are supplied by students at their expense.

Confirming Registration in a Course
Once a student has been accepted into a course, a tuition payment is required before the start of class. The amount due, and payment plans available, depend on how much time is left before the start of the course. This information is also stated in the pro-forma invoice for tuition fees sent together with the student's acceptance letter.

• Accepted when there are more than 6 weeks before the start of the course: In this case, a deposit payment is due within 14 days of your acceptance in order to keep your space reserved in the class. The options available are the following:
  
  • Paying in 2 parts. The first half is considered the deposit. The second half is due 4 weeks before the start of the course / trimester. This option is always available.
    
  • Paying in 4 to 6 monthly installments. This option may not be available for some workshops - please check the pro-forma invoice sent by DARA to see what payment plans are available. Payments are accepted through DARA's online checkout only. A 3% surcharge is applied with this option.
    

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• Accepted when there are fewer than 6 weeks before the start of the course:
  • The full cost of tuition is due 4 weeks before the start of course / trimester. If this date has already passed, then the payment is due within 5 working days of your acceptance. Tuition fees must be paid in full before the first day of lessons in order to participate.

Late / Overdue Payments

• The first deadline for a tuition payment was missed: This is considered a cancellation. If the course already has a waiting list, the space intended for the applicant will immediately be offered to someone on the waiting list. If there is not a waiting list, and the applicant later decides to join the course, he or she is welcome to do so if places remain available, but DARA is not able to guarantee availability.

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• A deposit was paid, but the student is late with paying a later installment: If the course has a waiting list, and overdue tuition fees are not settled within 5 working days, DARA reserves the right to refund the student's deposit and offer the space in the class to someone on the wait list instead. Otherwise, there is a late fee of €40,- per week if the overdue payment is not settled within 5 working days. 

Materials Use & Prohibited Materials

All supplies needed to participate in class are stated on the course page, under the "Materials" section. This list is also provided to students in PDF format upon acceptance. It is the student's sole responsibility to ensure that this information is reviewed in full before class starts, and that the correct materials are brought to class in order to participate. Any substitutions to items on the supply list need to be discussed and approved with the instructor and/or studio ahead of class.

To ensure the health and safety of all artists working in our studio, DARA has strict rules in place regarding the use of drawing and painting materials, particularly those which contain toxic substances.

These rules are not negotiable. Wilful disregard of studio policy will result in permanent expulsion from DARA.

Toxic Pigments
The use of pigments which contain heavy metals (lead, cadmium, etc.) is not recommended for beginning painters, but is allowed under the following conditions:

• Paints are stored in labelled tubes, and paint tubes are sealed with a cap when not in use;
  
• All paint spills / stains are cleaned by the student with soap and warm water;
  
• The student is strongly urged to wear gloves while painting;
  
• No paint is allowed in common areas outside of the classrooms;
  
• Brushes must be properly cleaned in a brush washer before rinsing in the brush sink (this applies for all oil paints, toxic and nontoxic).
  

It is strictly forbidden to bring in powdered pigment to the studio, or to sand down the surface of a painted canvas or palette in the studio.

Paint Solvents
The only solvent allowed for use inside DARA classrooms is Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits. This is one of the safest solvents currently available for painters, and has virtually no odour. This is a strict rule and there are no exceptions. Gamsol is sold at DARA, in case students have trouble finding it in their local art supply stores.

If a student arrives to the studio with another type of solvent, or a painting medium which contains some odorous solvent as one of its ingredients, it will be banned from the classroom. Repeatedly refusing to use the correct solvent will result in permanent dismissal from the studio.

Gamsol must be stored properly, in labelled glass containers or metal palette cups, while inside the studio. Containers with solvent must be sealed at all times while not in use. Plastic or paper containers are not suitable for storing Gamsol. If a student attempts to pour solvents in a communal drinking cup or bowl that was taken from DARA's kitchen, he or she will be permanently expelled from the studio.

Disposal of Oil Painting Waste
All painting waste must be disposed in one of the sealed metal waste bins which are labelled for paint disposal. This is both to reduce the risk of fire hazard, and to eliminate odour from painting mediums within the classrooms. Waste bins should be sealed with a lid at all times.

For disposal of dirty solvents: solvents should be recycled by using a brush washer or sieve to separate out the paint sediment. Do not pour solvents or oils in the toilet or down the drain.

Brush Cleaning
After painting, brushes should first be cleaned in an airtight brush washer, or a glass jar which can be sealed with a lid. As much paint as possible should be removed from the brush by swishing the brush in Gamsol or oil. After the brush is nearly clean of paint, it should then be thoroughly rinsed out with soap and warm water in the brush sink. It is forbidden to use any other sink to clean brushes.

Pencil Sharpening & Dust
Pencils and charcoal should be sharpened over a waste bin to reduce dust in the air, which can be irritating to other students. Any pencil shavings or dust that are left on the floor, easels, etc. should be cleaned up by students at the end of the work session.

Use of Spray Fixative
It is strictly forbidden to use spray fixative indoors. There is a designated area in the courtyard outside the studio where drawings can be set with fixative. Wait at least 5 to 10 minutes after spraying before bringing the drawing back indoors, so that the odour wears off.

General Rules
Communal studio equipment such as easels and stools must be handled respectfully and with care. Any broken equipment that is discovered should be reported to a member of staff immediately. Students should clean any messes made at the end of the work session, and leave the studio in the same condition in which they found it.

Storage of Materials

All students are given a designated storage space to keep supplies, drawings, and paintings for the duration of the course or trimester. It is the sole responsibility of students to place personal belongings in their correct storage spaces. Items left behind in classrooms are moved to a "Lost & Found" area at the entrance to the building, and DARA accepts no responsibility or liability for the loss of such items.

It is strictly forbidden to enter the storage space of another student or instructor. Storage areas are under camera surveillance. Theft or deliberate tampering with someone else's personal belongings or artwork will result in permanent expulsion from DARA. 

All personal belongings must be taken out of the studio as soon as a student's enrolment period ends. Our space is limited. Unless DARA administration has made a predetermined agreement with a student, we unequivocally do not agree to store personal belongings for any person after his or her enrolment ends. This policy is communicated to students on numerous occasions before and during each course. If this policy is ignored, DARA accepts no responsibility or liability for any items left in our building beyond a student's enrolment period. Our studio is not a free storage facility.
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Policies for Working in the Studio

In order to maintain a comfortable, safe, and focused class environment for all of our students, instructors, and staff, classes are only open to registered students. Non-registered guests such as family members or friends are not permitted to join lessons, and should stay in the entrance lounge area while classes are in session.

It is not permitted to bring pets into the studio. Students who require a working service animal should contact the office ahead of time.

Studio doors are open to students 30 minutes before class starts, and close 30 minutes after class ends. It is not permitted for students to work in the building outside of designated class hours, unless they have booked a studio pass* or have made some other predetermined agreement with the office.

* Studio passes are available only to students currently enrolled in DARA's Trimester Programme.

It is expected that students and guests will treat the studio respectfully. All studio equipment, plaster casts, or other studio property should be handled with care. Any broken equipment that is discovered should be reported to a staff member immediately. Any messes made should be cleaned up and not left for someone else to deal with. All health and safety guidelines must be observed while working in the studio. This includes, but is not limited to, the correct disposal of painting waste, the proper handling of toxic materials, and agreeing not to bring prohibited materials into the building. Refusal to comply will result in dismissal from class or permanent expulsion.
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Policies for Model Classes & Open Sketch Sessions

There are certain rules in place for classes in which models are posing.

• No one other than students and instructors are permitted in the room while the model is posing.
• The classroom doors stay closed while the model is posing. Students who arrive late may not enter and disrupt the session for everyone, but must wait outside until the next break.
• Everyone works quietly - no chatting while the model is in pose. Keep the conversation to the breaks, or take the conversation out of the classroom.
• The instructor / session monitor calls the breaks. After a break ends, the pose starts again promptly without delay.
• If the pose needs to be corrected, this will be done by group consensus at the direction of the instructor. Models should be given instructions to adjust the pose in a respectful, clear manner. If the pose needs to be adjusted mid-session, this should be done at the direction of the instructor - students should not interrupt the pose to call out directions.
• There is a no tolerance policy regarding any behaviour towards models which is deemed, at the discretion of DARA staff, to be demeaning, discriminatory, intimidating, or otherwise inflammatory.
• For instructed classes, easels around the model are chosen by random lottery to ensure fairness to everyone.

Nude Poses

• For instructed classes: students under age 18 must have a parent or legal guardian provide DARA with express written permission for the student to attend. Open model sessions in which models pose nude are not open to participants under age 18.
• Doors and curtains in the classroom remain closed at all times while the model is posing.
• During breaks, models must be clothed, either in a robe or something similar.
• Taking pictures or videos of a nude model is not allowed under any circumstances. Students photographing their own work need to wait for a break in the pose. There is clear signage on the model stage that indicates this policy, and violating this rule will result in permanent expulsion from the studio.

Photo / Video Policy

• Open Sketch Sessions: No photos or videos allowed of models.
• For instructed classes: Photography is heavily discouraged, but permitted for clothed poses only if both the instructor and student have obtained the model's permission. Permission needs to be obtained during a break, students should never interrupt the pose to ask to take a photo. Photos / videos are never allowed for nude poses under any circumstances, and violation of this rule will result in permanent expulsion from the studio.
• Students photographing their own work need to wait for a break in the pose. On the other side of the easel, it is not clear to the model if he or she is being included in the picture or not.
• Always ask others for permission before taking photos of their work.

Cancellations, Course Transfers & Refunds

Transferring a tuition payment towards another class
Any request to transfer a tuition payment towards a different course than the one the student was originally accepted into is considered a transfer. Transfers are permitted under the following circumstances:

• The alternate course is currently open for registration and has places available.
• The student meets any eligibility requirements in place for the alternate course.
• Transferring from a Workshops: There are more than 6 weeks before the start of the original workshop.

• Transferring from a Drawing Bootcamp: There are more than 4 weeks before the start of the original bootcamp course.

• Transferring from a Trimester course: There are more than 4 weeks before the start of the trimester, and the student will transfer to another course within the same trimester. It is not permitted to cancel and keep a payment on hold for a future trimester. Registration is only open for one trimester at a time, so that DARA can give students who continue from one trimester to the next the first priority to enrol.

If these conditions are not met, course transfers are not possible. Please refer to DARA's Cancellation & Refund policy below.

Cancellations & Refunds

• Sketch Session / Event Cancellations

Cancellations made more than 24 hours ahead of the sketch session, lecture, or other event are fully refunded.

• "Cool-off" Period

Students who cancel their course enrollment within 14 days of the initial tuition payment* are fully refunded, regardless of the amount of time between the cancellation date and the start of the course.**

* "Initial tuition payment" means the first payment made towards the course fee. For example, if the student has chosen to pay in monthly instalments, the initial payment refers to the first instalment.

** If the course already started and the cancellation falls within the "cool-off" period, then the student is still required to pay the total cost of services rendered. This is calculated by the number of lessons that were completed at the time of the cancellation, regardless of whether or not the student attended class. The remaining balance is refunded.

• Full Refund

> Trimester Programme: The cancellation is made more than 8 weeks before the start of the trimester.
> Drawing Bootcamp: The cancellation is made more than 8 weeks​ before the start of the course.
> Workshops: The cancellation is made more than 6 months before the start of the workshop.*

* Why 6 months? There are significant expenses / efforts involved in coordinating the visiting artist's travel, accommodation, etc. and DARA needs to know well in advance if the workshop has sufficient student numbers to run.

• Partial Refund*:

The student is eligible to a 50% of the total tuition fee, excluding the initial tuition payment, when a cancellation is made more than 4 weeks before the start of the course / trimester. (This applies to all study programmes.)

• Cancelling fewer than 4 weeks before the start of the course*:

Cancellations are not refunded at this time, except in the circumstances outlined below.

* When does DARA make an exception? DARA will waive our standard policy and refund students in full if another student is available to take the cancelled space before the course starts. We will do our best to make this happen, but cannot guarantee that this will always be possible. If we are unable to fill the cancelled space before the course starts, then our standard policy written above applies.

• Cancelling or withdrawing from class after the course begins:

Students who withdraw from a course at any time after it begins are not refunded, and do not receive credit to take a different course in the future. Absences from class are neither refunded nor made up in a private lesson at the instructor's expense.

Student Absences

All courses offered by DARA require a commitment of regular attendance from students. This means arriving on time, prepared with the correct supplies, and in attendance for at least 80% of the course at minimum.

If there are any recorded demos, images, written material, or other homework assignments given in class that can be shared with students online, instructors will do so. However, absences from class are not refunded, and it is not possible to receive a private lesson at the instructor's expense.

If a student knows ahead of time that attending at least 80% of the course will not be possible, the student should refrain from applying until his or her circumstances change. DARA reserves the right to refuse further enrolment to students who show a consistent pattern of poor attendance.

Studio Cancellations & Instructor Absences

In the event that DARA must cancel a course (for example, due to lack of sufficient enrollment), students are immediately notified by phone and / or email. Except in the case of emergencies or other exceptional circumstances, any cancellations made by the studio are announced 30 days in advance of the start of the course / trimester.

In this circumstance, students can opt to:

• Keep a space reserved to attend the course at a postponed date;
• Transfer enrolment to another available course;
• Receive a full refund of tuition fees.

If a single class is cancelled (for example, due to the instructor falling ill), every effort will be made to schedule a make-up session at a time convenient for the majority of students. A refund for the lesson is offered to any students who cannot attend the make-up session. DARA reserves the right to substitute in another qualified instructor or model in a class if necessary.