How to Apply

The roster of workshops for each year is typically announced during the autumn.

When applications are open, visit the Workshops page and click on a course. Click on the ''Apply Now'' button to navigate to our online application form.

Registration in a course is only possible by submitting a completed online application. Personal information requested in the application includes the following:

• Your full legal name
• Date of birth
• Current address
• Telephone number
• E-mail address
• Name and telephone number of your emergency contact
• Previous relevant education or training you completed
• Self-assessment of your skills in traditional drawing and painting media
• Examples of your work

 
The application period for a course ends four days before the start of the workshop.

Paying Tuition Fees

If you are accepted into a course, a deposit payment is due within 14 days of receiving an acceptance letter from DARA to secure your place in the class.

A deposit can be paid one of three ways:

• Paying the full cost of tuition upfront (cash payments, bank transfers, and online payment options are accepted);
• Paying half of the tuition fee upfront, and the other half 4 weeks before the start of the course;
• (When there are more than 6 months from the start of the workshop) Paying in small installments over a period of 6 months. Tuition fees are increased by 3% when choosing this option. (payments accepted with credit/debit card or SEPA direct debit only; installment plans are not offered when there are fewer than 6 months from the start of the course).

If you are accepted into a workshop when there are fewer than 4 weeks from the start of the course, all tuition fees are due to be paid upfront within 5 working days.

Upon acceptance, a quote is provided which details our accepted payment methods, payment deadlines, bank details (for payments transferred to DARA's bank account), and a secure link to pay online. DARA processes all online payments through Stripe.

If a deposit is not paid within the deadline: DARA will consider this a cancellation. The student’s registration in the class is voided, and the space in the class is immediately offered to someone else if there is a waiting list.

If a deposit has been paid, but any outstanding balance of tuition fees are not paid on time: DARA sends a notice by email that tuition fees are overdue. If there is a waiting list for the class, and overdue fees are not settled within 5 days, DARA reserves the right to void and refund the student's registration and offer the space to someone on the waiting list. If the course does not have a waiting list, and the student wishes to maintain a place in the class, a €40 late fee is charged. An added 10% interest charge on the late fee is accrued for each week that the payment is overdue.

Missed installment payments: If an installment payment is missed, a new attempt to process the payment will be made every 3 days. Installments which are over 7 days late are subject to a €40 late fee. An added 10% interest charge on the late fee is accrued for each week that the payment is overdue. If overdue payments have not been settled within 30 days, DARA reserves the right to refer the student's account to a collection agency in order to demand full payment of the unpaid balance and late fees.

Transferring to a Different Workshop

If you applied for one workshop, but would like to switch to a different course instead, this can be considered under the following circumstances:
​

• There are more than 6 weeks from the start of the workshop you were originally accepted to;
• The workshop you would like to switch to has places available;
• You meet any necessary requirements set by the instructor for enrollment.

When transferring to a different workshop, any tuition fees you have already paid will be applied towards the cost of the new course. Any outstanding balance of fees due is to be paid within the deadline for the new course.

​If you paid a higher tuition fee for the original workshop, and are transferring to a course which has a lower tuition fee, DARA will refund the difference to you.

DARA is not responsible for reimbursing the student's cost of materials, accommodation, airfare or other travel expenses that were allocated towards the original workshop.

Student Cancellation Policy

To cancel your registration in a workshop, send a written notice to [email protected]

• "Cooling-Off" Period

​If your cancellation is made within 14 days of your initial payment, your tuition payment is fully refunded.

By "Initial Payment," this means the first payment the student made towards the total cost of tuition. If the workshop already started, and the cancellation falls within 14 days of the initial payment, students are still required to pay the total cost of services rendered. This is calculated by the number of lesson days which transpired (regardless of the student's attendance). The remaining balance is refunded.
​

• Full Refund

Cancellations made more than 6 months in advance of the workshop are fully refunded.

• Cancelling when there are fewer than 6 months from the start of the workshop**:

When cancellations are made at this time, DARA retains the student's initial deposit payment, or the equivalent of 50% of the total tuition fee. The difference is refunded to the student.

• Cancelling when there are fewer than 30 days before the trimester**:

​The student is not entitled to any refund at this time.

** Exceptions
Note: In both these instances, DARA will waive our policy and provide a full refund if there is someone on the waiting list who is able to take the student's place in the class. While we will do our best to fill spaces that are cancelled, please note that we make no guarantees that this will always be possible. In the event that DARA is not able to fill the cancelled space, then the standard policy applies.

• ​Cancelling any time after the workshop starts:

​No refunds are given. Students who drop out during the workshop do not receive credit to take another course at a future date.

• Processing of Refunds

All refunds are processed within 7 days of the cancellation date. Please note that DARA is only responsible for refunding tuition costs. The studio is not responsible for any other associated expenses, such as travel fare or purchase of class materials.​​

For credit card payments, the amount of time it takes for refunded transactions to be visible on your account may exceed 7 days if your bank is located outside of the Netherlands. Typically refunds will be processed within 14 days in this circumstance, but please note that this is outside of DARA's control.​

Absences

Absences during class are not refunded. It is not possible to make up missed lesson time in a private session with the instructor later.

Studio cancellations

In the event that DARA cancels 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 workshop.

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.

Waiting List

Once a course fills, a waiting list is established for any subsequent applications.

In case a vacancy opens in the class before the start of the trimester, DARA will contact students on the waiting list, starting with the strongest/most qualified application first. The applicant has two days to reserve the available space in the class by paying a course deposit. Otherwise, the space is offered to the next person on the waiting list.

To be considered for the waiting list, it is necessary to complete an application form online.

Model Etiquette

There are certain rules in place for classes in which students work from live models.

Portrait & Nude

• No chatting while the model is in pose. Keep the conversation to the breaks, or take the conversation out of the classroom.
• If you arrive late and the pose is already in session, prepare your materials outside the classroom. Enter quietly and do not disrupt others.
• 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.
• There is a no tolerance policy regarding any behavior towards models which is demeaning, discriminatory, intimidating, or otherwise inflammatory.

Portrait

• Always ask the model for permission before taking a photo. Do not just assume it's OK. If the model says no, respect that.
• Wait for a break in the pose to photograph your own work.
• Ask your classmates for permission before taking photos of their work.

Nude

• It is strictly forbidden to take photos or videos of models posing nude. There are no exceptions to this. Do not ask.
• Wait for a break in the pose to photograph your work.
• If you are in the studio building while a model is posing nude, and you are not part of the class, you may not enter the classroom while the pose is in session.
• Students under age 18 need permission from a parent or legal guardian to attend nude model sessions.
• Ask your classmates for permission before taking photos of their work.​

Materials Storage

During the workshop, DARA provides each student with personal storage spaces to keep personal belongings, art supplies, and any drawings or paintings in progress. You are welcome to keep these items stored at the studio for the duration of the class.

At the end of the course, all of your personal belongings must be taken home. If you are not able to do so, DARA is available to ship your belongings to you at a fee.

​DARA does not agree to store any belongings after your course has ended, and we accept no liability for anything left in the studio after the end of the workshop that you have not paid to have shipped to you. This rule applies even if you plan to take another course at some point in the future.

Studio Hours

Unless otherwise specified, DARA is open to workshop students during the following hours:

• 9:00 | Studio Open
• 9:30 - 12:30 | Morning lessons
• 12:30 - 13:30 | Lunch break (lunch is offered at the studio)
• 13:30 - 16:30 | Afternoon lessons
• 17:00 | Studio Closed

It is not permitted to work in the studio outside of designated workshop hours. If you are enrolled in a workshop, friends, family, or other guests who are not registered in the class are not permitted to join the lesson with you.

Studio Rules

It is expected that students will maintain a professional working environment at DARA by respecting themselves, fellow classmates, instructors, and models in accordance with the following policies:

• Arrive to class on time and with the correct materials.
• ​Classes are only open to registered students. Outside guests such as friends are not permitted to join the lessons.
• Cell phones should be switched off or silent during class.
• Clean up after yourself, and leave the studio in the same condition that you found it.
• There is a small kitchen available for students to use. Please clean any utensils or appliances that you use. Food kept in the refrigerator past its expiration date will be tossed.
• Please be respectful of DARA’s schedule. The building is not open to students before opening hours. After class, please clean up promptly and be ready to leave at closing time.
• If you find any broken equipment (such as an easel, etc.) advise your instructor.
• Items borrowed from DARA (drawing boards, etc.) must be returned by the end of the course.
• Ask permission before taking a photo of someone else’s work.
• Absolutely no photos are allowed of models posing nude. No exceptions, do not ask.
• Gamsol is the only solvent permitted for use inside the building. No exceptions.
• Any use of materials which creates dust/powder (sharpening charcoal, pencils, etc.) needs to be done over a trash bin. Do not sand palettes or canvas indoors.
  
• Working with powdered pigment is not permitted indoors.
• The use of spray fixative is not allowed indoors.
• It is strongly recommended to wear gloves if you are painting with lead white or other toxic pigments.
• All painting waste must be disposed in a metal waste bin sealed with a lid.
• Paintbrushes must be washed in the designated brush-washing sink.
• Clean any paint or solvent spills with soap and warm water.
• Disruptive conduct, including (but not limited to)
  • discrimination, harassment, verbal abuse, or physical violence directed towards another student or staff member;
  • destruction or theft of another student or staff member’s property;
  • ​refusal to follow safety guidelines;

​will result in dismissal from class and / or permanent expulsion from DARA.