General Questions

What is the Bootcamp and how is it different from DARA's other courses?

The new addition to our programme, the "Bootcamp" is a series of short courses centered around the fundamentals of academic drawing. These courses are accessible for:

• complete beginners;
• artists who are curious about DARA's methods and would like to see if our programme is a good fit;
• artists who have not been trained in academic art and wish to quickly advance their technical drawing skills.

The Bootcamp serves as an orientation to DARA's core drawing process, and prepares students for success within our Part-Time Programme.

Each course is scheduled for two or three lessons per week, over a period of 4 weeks, intended to offer an intense education within a short time frame.

Which course should I take?

Each Bootcamp course is successive, and it is strongly recommended that new students follow the courses in order.

• Bootcamps 1 and 2 largely focus on the foundational stages of drawing (controlled line-quality; achieving accurate proportions from real life observation; designing drawings which convey mass through an emphasis on planar structure.) These courses may be taken separately or together.

• Bootcamp 3 focuses on developing a conceptual understanding of form. Students learn to think about form a sculptural perspective, and to apply rendering techniques to convey three-dimensionality in their drawings.

• Bootcamp 4 builds upon the skills covered in the previous courses. The class features the practical application of academic drawing methods towards the completion of a master copy drawing. Students must therefore have completed Bootcamps 1 OR 2 & Bootcamp 3, or have completed a minimum of one trimester in our Part-Time Programme, in order to enroll. Since this class overlaps with the curriculum of Introduction to Classical Drawing, completion of Bootcamp 4 counts as credit towards advancement within the Introduction to Classical Drawing curriculum.

Will the Bootcamp be offered at other times during the year?

Currently, this is only being offered during the Summer.

Which languages are used in class?

English is the main language spoken in lectures, demonstrations, and any other group discussions. Individual feedback is offered in Nederlands or English.

Can students of any age enroll?

Classes are open to students ages 12 and up. Mature and respectful conduct, along with a serious commitment to learn, is expected from students of any age in order to participate.

Students under 18 years of age: DARA must receive written permission from a parent or legal guardian in order for students to enroll.​

Can I take DARA's courses online?

All courses are instructed in person at our studio building in Haarlem. We do not have any plans to offer online classes at this time.

If I miss some lessons, will I be able to make up that time later?

Absences during the course are not refunded, and will not be made up in private lessons with the instructor outside of class hours.

Benefiting from this kind of course requires students to regularly and consistently attend physical lessons in the studio. If you know ahead of time that it will not be possible for you to attend at least 80% of the lessons, please refrain from applying.
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If I decide to withdraw my enrollment after the course has started, do I receive a credit to take the course (or some other course) later in the future?​

No, there are no refunds or credits to other classes when a student withdraws after the course has started. Please review our full cancellation policy before applying.

Can I bring my pet with me to DARA?

No pets. If you have a service animal, please contact us before the start of your course.

Can I bring my friend or family member to class?

No. Classes are only open to registered students. In order to maintain a comfortable, safe, and focused class environment for all students, guests are not permitted to join lessons.

If someone will drop you off and/or pick you up from class, he or she is kindly requested to stay in the entrance or lounge area while classes are still in session.

Can I park at DARA?

Yes. At this moment, parking is free on the street at Zuider Emmakade. If street parking is full, there is a public parking lot with 24/7 free parking at Pascalstraat, which is about an 8 minutes walk from our studio building.

How do I reach DARA by public transport?

DARA's studio address is Zuider Emmakade 45, 2012 KN Haarlem.

By bus:
The nearest bus stops at Haarlem Schouwtjesbrug (Buslijn 80 Amsterdam Elandsgracht-Zandvoort Centrum), directly across the street from our building (about 1-2 minutes walking distance.)

By train (Heemstede-Aerdenhout Station):
The nearest train station is Heemstede-Aerdenhout. From the station, you can board bus 80 (direction Amsterdam Elandsgracht) and depart at Schouwtjesbrug. Alternately, walking to DARA directly from the station takes about 25 minutes.

By train (Haarlem Station):
From Haarlem Station, you can board bus 50 (direction Leiden Centraal) and depart at Haarlem Florapark (7 minutes walking distance from DARA.) Alternately, walking directly from the train station takes about 35 minutes.

Applications

How do I apply?

Enrollment in our courses is possible by completing an application form through the DARA website. To apply, navigate to any course by visiting the Summer Bootcamp page and clicking a course thumbnail. Click "Apply Now" to direct to an online application form.

Personal information requested in the application includes the following:

• 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 art
• A brief statement of your motivation to study academic art, and why you feel DARA is the right fit for you.

Why am I getting an error message when I try to upload images of my work?

An error message will be returned if image files are too large. Any images of your work included with your application must be 5MB or smaller.

I submitted an application. How do I know if DARA received it?

An automated confirmation email is sent to you when your application is submitted. If you do not see this message in your inbox, please check your Junk/Spam folder in case it was filtered there.

If you did not receive any confirmation email at all, then DARA did not receive your application.

How long will it take to hear if I am accepted or not?

Applications are reviewed and responded to within 5 working days, though we do our best to respond sooner if possible.

If you received a confirmation message at the time your application was submitted, then you can expect to receive a response from DARA by email within 5 working days. (Note that the office is closed on weekends and holidays.)

I was accepted to a course. Is there anything else I have to do?

• Review your acceptance documents. You should have received an acceptance letter, class calendar, materials list, and a bill for tuition fees which states the payment deadline(s). Please review these materials thoroughly so that you are familiar with DARA's studio policies and fully prepared for class.
• Check the materials list. Allow yourself enough time to secure any items you need before class starts.
• Add the studio's email to your safe sender list. Important announcements and other correspondence from DARA are sent by email, please ensure that you are able to receive it.
• Do you live outside of the Netherlands? Check whether you need a visa before traveling to the Netherlands. If so, it is advised that you file your application at the appropriate Dutch Embassy or Consular Office as early as possible.
• Keep the studio updated if your contact information changes.
• Prepare to arrive to the first lesson on time and with the correct materials.

Payments

How much does tuition cost?

• Bootcamps 1, 3, and 4: Tuition fees are €395 per course. Each course consists of 36 hours of instruction.
• Bootcamp 2: Tuition fees are €265 for 24 hours of instruction.

This information is also shown on the Tuition Fees page.

Are materials included with the cost of tuition?

No. Drawing materials needed for class (pencils, paper, eraser, etc.) are not included with the course tuition fee.

When is the deadline to pay for a class?

A deposit payment of one-half of the tuition fee is due within 14 days of acceptance into a course. The remaining balance is due 4 weeks before the first day of class.

If you are accepted at a time when there are fewer than 4 weeks before the start of the course, the full cost of tuition is due within 5 business days.

If I do not pay by the deadline, is my space in the class still saved for me?

If your deposit was not paid by the deadline, your registration is cancelled. If you are still interested in joining the course you may contact the studio to see if a place is still available, but there are no guarantees.

If you paid a deposit, but did not pay the outstanding balance within the deadline, there is a limited time in which DARA will continue holding your place for you. If the course has a waiting list, the studio will return your deposit and cancel your registration if the remaining fees are not paid within 5 days. If the course does not have a waiting list, and you wish to remain enrolled, DARA charges a a €40 late fee. An added 10% interest charge on the late fee is accrued for each week that the payment is overdue.

What is DARA's refund policy?

• "Cooling-Off" Period

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

If the course already started, and your cancellation falls within the "cooling-off period", you are still required to pay the total cost of services rendered. This is calculated by the number of lesson days which transpired prior to your cancellation date (regardless of whether or not you attended.) The remaining balance is refunded.
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• Full Refund

Cancellations made more than 8 weeks in advance of the course are fully refunded.

• Cancelling when there are fewer than 8 weeks from the start of the course**:

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

• Cancelling when there are fewer than 4 weeks from the start of the course**:

​​Cancellations made at this time are not entitled to be refunded.

** 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 your place in the course. 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 our standard policy applies.

• ​Cancelling at any time after the course starts:

​​No refunds are given, regardless of the number of lessons you attended. DARA will not apply the tuition fee you paid as credit towards taking 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. In this circumstance, typically refunds will be visible on your account within 14 days, but please note that this is outside of DARA's control.

Are there any discounts or other financial aid?

Yes. Discounts are offered by DARA when you enroll in multiple Summer Bootcamps. For more information, please visit the Tuition Fees page.

Students who work professionally in the creative or cultural sector may also be eligible for a subsidy from Werktuig-PPO to help cover the cost of training at DARA.

Materials

What materials do I need to bring to class?

Easels, stools, and drawing boards are always provided at school. Any other supplies need to participate are stated on the course page, under the "Materials" section. This list is also sent to accepted students as an email attachment.

Why is it that DARA does not provide materials like brushes, pencils, etc.?

• DARA offers vocational training for artists who are furthering their skills in drawing or painting at a serious level. Supplies like brushes, pencils, etc. are common tools that we expect students are likely to already own, and will continue to use after the trimester ends.
• Communal supplies are not always handled properly or with care. When your supplies belong to you, it is more likely that they will be handled correctly.
• Some items are subjective – for example, whether you prefer to use traditional or mechanical pencils, which brands you prefer, etc. is a personal choice.

Where can I buy art supplies?

We have a small store space in school with some supplies for sale. If there is an item on the course materials list that we sell at DARA, it will be indicated. All other materials should be purchased as necessary before the start of class.

On the materials list emailed to accepted students, there is a suggestion of 8 art supply stores in Haarlem and surrounding cities where you can purchase any necessary supplies. (Availability may vary between stores.)

Can I substitute an item on the materials list with something else?

Consult with the studio first, before the start of class.

Can DARA purchase supplies for me to pick up at the studio later?

If there is an item you need available for purchase at our studio, we can place it on reserve for you. Otherwise, we cannot place an order on your behalf at an art store.

Can I keep my supplies stored at DARA?

Yes, during the course. All students are given a designated storage space to keep their supplies and artwork for the duration of the course.

At the end of the course, if you are not enrolled in the next immediately scheduled course, you must take your belongings home with you. DARA does not agree to store belongings for anyone other than currently registered students. Please be respectful and do not treat our space as if it should be your free storage facility.

Travel from abroad

Do I need a visa to study in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands is a Schengen Area member state.

• If you are a citizen of a country that has signed a visa-free agreement with the Schengen Area member states: You do not need to obtain a Schengen Visa to enter the Netherlands. Your valid national passport will allow free entry and travel within the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days out of a 180-day period.

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• If you are a citizen of a country that has not signed a visa-free agreement with the Schengen Area member states: You must obtain a short-term Schengen Visa (in Dutch: visum kort verblijf, or VKV) before entering the Netherlands. You must apply for a VKV in your home country at the appropriate Dutch Embassy or Consular Office. Schools cannot apply for this type of visa on your behalf.

More information about which countries' citizens require a travel visa can be found here.

I live outside of the EU/EEA. What do I need to know before I apply?

• Study duration

​At this time, DARA is not able to sponsor students who reside outside of the EU/EEA to study in the Netherlands for a period that exceeds 90 days out of a 180-day duration. There are no possible exceptions to this. Unless you have legal residency status in the Netherlands through your work or relationship with an EU citizen, there is unfortunately no circumstance in which you can attain a long-term study visa as a student at DARA at this time.

• Do you need a visa? Plan ahead

​If you are a citizen of a country that has not signed a visa-free agreement with the Schengen Area member states, you will need a short-stay Schengen Visa (in Dutch: visum kort verblijf or VKV) to enter the Netherlands. You must apply for this type of visa yourself at the Dutch Embassy or Consular Office that serves your country of residence.

This type of visa generally takes no more than 15 days to process from the time of your application. However, it may take time to book an appointment and gather all necessary documents to support your application, such as proof of accommodation during your stay. You can view all required documentation here.

It is therefore important that you apply for the trimester as early as possible. If you know ahead of time that you wish to apply, contact the studio and we will be happy to add you to the 'early bird/first priority' application group.

• Do not wait to book an appointment for a visa

From the time of your appointment at the Dutch Embassy or Consular Office, your visa application will typically be processed within 15 days; however, this period can be legally extended up to 45 days. It is important that you plan ahead, gather all necessary documentation as early as possible, and book your appointment within enough time before the trimester starts.

Can DARA help me with obtaining a visa?

A Schengen Visa must be applied for by you personally at the appropriate Dutch Embassy or Consular Office in your country of residence. DARA cannot apply for a visa on your behalf, however we can provide documentation certifying your enrollment in our courses to support your application.

I will not pay a deposit until my visa is secured. Will DARA guarantee that my space in the class is held for me in the meantime?

The studio will hold your place in the course within a reasonable limit of time. It is recommended that you are in contact with DARA before the application period starts, so that you may apply for courses as soon as applications are open.

​Upon acceptance into a course, the studio will request to know the date of your appointment with the Dutch Embassy or Consular Office. This appointment should be booked at the earliest possibility.

From the time of your appointment, in most circumstances it takes 15 days for your visa application to process. DARA requires a course deposit to be paid at this time. If no payment is made at this point, the studio will not continue to hold a space in the course without evidence that the processing of the visa has been extended.

Will DARA help me find housing?

Students are responsible for organizing accommodation during their stay. Some helpful free websites to search for rentals are listed below:

• Pararius
• Funda
• StuWorld
• IAmExpat
• Kamernet
• Huurwoningen
• Huislijn

Students may also consider AirBnB or check housing groups on Facebook in Haarlem and surrounding areas.

More information about rental contracts and tenants rights in the Netherlands can be found here.