Applications

I am new to DARA. Which class should I take?

We strongly encourage starting with Introduction to Classical Drawing before taking other courses.

This is DARA's foundation-level drawing class which is designed to prepare students to succeed in other drawing and painting courses in our studio. In particular, students who have no formal training in academic art should start here. We strongly encourage developing strong drawing skills before considering a painting class.

Students who have already achieved basic proficiency in drawing may consider Cast Drawing, Portrait Drawing, or Painting From the Old Masters.

Cast Painting and Portrait Painting are more advanced classes and require a high level of drawing ability, in addition to other course-specific prerequisites.

When applying, there will be an opportunity to upload examples of your work to your application. Please note that if the instructor feels the work shown does not demonstrate a sufficient level of readiness to take the class, the studio will advise you which alternate course would be appropriate.

How and when can I apply?

DARA accepts applications for part-time courses starting from 3 months before the beginning of each trimester. Application dates for the current academic year are published on the sidebar of the Part-Time Programme page.

All applications are submitted online. To apply, navigate to any course by visiting the Part-Time Programme page and clicking a course thumbnail. If applications are open, an "Apply Now" button will appear near the top of the screen, which will 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.

Can I join more than one course at a time?

Yes, as long as the course schedules do not overlap.

With that said, each part-time class requires a minimum study load of 6 hours per week in the studio, and most courses include homework to be completed outside of class. Attending the optional extracurricular sessions will also add on to the weekly study load.

It's important to be realistic about what is practical for your schedule to avoid a burnout. Most students enroll in just one course per trimester, and a few enroll in 2 courses per term.

Can I apply for more than one trimester at a time?

Not at this time. DARA's current policy is to accept applications for one trimester at a time, and the application period starts 3 months before the beginning of each term.

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

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 into a class 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 the trimester tuition fees. 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 the trimester 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.

General

What will I learn at DARA?

DARA teaches academic drawing and painting using traditional media, with an emphasis on learning through practical application of measurable technical skills. We place a high level of importance on drawing/painting from direct observation, or through the reproduction of a master's work.

Our stance towards self-expression, style, and originality is that these qualities cannot be realized to their full potential without solid footing in technical expertise. We believe that a serious education starts with the rigorous study of the observable material world, and studying after those artists who have achieved mastery in this field, before departing into stylisation.

All our courses are directed towards the objective of understanding and reproducing what can be observed in nature, at a high level of technical proficiency. Any ideology which devalues the importance of academic study through the faithful representation of nature is out of line with DARA's philosophy and teaching methods.

To learn more about the specific curriculum of a particular course, please navigate to the course webpage and read the 'curriculum' section.

Which languages are used in class?

English is the main language spoken in lectures, demonstrations, and any other group discussions. Basic fluency in English is necessary in order to fully participate.

Does DARA take students of any age?

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. Please be advised that some classes may contain nudity (either models who pose nude, or copying after master works which depict nudity.) 

Can I start classes at any time?

Classes are scheduled on a basis of 11-week trimesters during the Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons. New students can begin at the start of any trimester during the year. Please check the application schedule on the sidebar of the Part-Time Programme page to see when to apply for the trimester you wish to start.

Can I take courses online?

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

Will I learn to draw or paint from photos?

No class at DARA teaches from photos. Students work from either direct real-life observation, or from high-quality reproductions of a master's work. 

Will I learn the sight-size method?

No. The founders of DARA were trained in the sight-size method, and our general stance is that it could have some limited benefits for beginners, but we consider other methods far more useful.

Note that working at a 1:1 scale to the model/reference does not automatically denote the use of the sight-size method. Students in some classes, such as Introduction to Classical Drawing, do work at a 1:1 scale, but not using the sight-size method. We encourage starting with freehand sketches (drawing by eye alone) before checking measurements, and conceptualizing form rather than rote copying of contour lines and shadow shapes.

​For more advanced classes, students use comparative measurements only.

Can I take a painting course if I do not have much experience with drawing?

Painting From the Old Masters is an accessible painting class, even if you do not have a lot of experience with drawing. ​Cast Painting and Portrait Painting ​are not suitable.

Some courses say the programme duration lasts multiple trimesters. What does that mean?

Each course is successive, and designed so that students who enroll for multiple trimesters will progress to assignments of increasing complexity. In each course description, a general estimate of how many trimesters it will take to complete the full curriculum is indicated.

Note that this is only an estimate. Students advance through a programme by completing the work assigned up to the instructor's standards, and this could take more or less time than what is estimated depending on the student's level of skill and prior experience.

If I miss some classes during the trimester, can I make up that time later?

Absences during the trimester are not refunded, and will not be made up in private lessons with the instructor outside of class hours. Lesson materials shown in class are shared with students online, and it is the sole responsibility of students who are absent to catch up on missed work at home or during open studio hours.

It is expected that students will maintain an attendance rate of at least 80% during the trimester. If you know ahead of time that this will not be feasible for you, please refrain from applying.

If I decide to withdraw during the trimester, 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 trimester has started. Students should be sure that they are interested in DARA's teaching methods and able to attend the full trimester before reserving a space.

Do I receive a diploma or certificate when I study here?

DARA is a private training institution, and is not able to offer an officially recognized diploma or certificate at this time.

Can I bring my pet to the studio?

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 of the studio while classes are still in session.

Can I park at the studio?

Yes. There is a public parking lot with 24/7 free parking directly in front of the building.

What is the easiest way to reach DARA by public transport?

By bus:
The nearest bus stops at Haarlem Edisonstraat (Buslijn 80 Amsterdam Elandsgracht-Zandvoort Centrum) about 5 minutes walking distance from the studio.

By train:
The nearest train station is Heemstede-Aerdenhout. From the station, you can board bus 80 (direction Amsterdam Elandsgracht) and depart at Edisonstraat. Alternately, walking to DARA directly from the station takes about 20 minutes.

Payments

How much does tuition cost?

On average, tuition costs around 500 EUR per course per trimester. The tuition fee for some courses may vary, depending on model fees or other variable costs. Please visit the webpage for the course you are interested in to see the specific tuition cost.

​Tuition fees are subject to annual increase at the start of each academic year.

What is included with the cost of tuition?

Tuition fees include:

• Model costs (when applicable)
• Access to work in the studio during open studio hours
• Access to extracurricular sketch sessions during the trimester
• Storage space for artwork and supplies for the duration of the trimester
• Use of easels and drawing boards

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 class. The remaining balance is due 30 days before the start of the trimester.

If there are fewer than 30 days before the start of the trimester at the time you are accepted into the class, 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 initial deposit was not paid by the deadline, your registration is cancelled. If you are still interested in joining the class, 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 the studio 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, the studio charges a 10 EUR per week late fee on top of the outstanding balance.

What is DARA's refund policy?

• Full Refund

If the cancellation is made within 14 days of the first payment, tuition fees are fully refunded.*

* Note: If the trimester has already started, then students are still required to pay the total cost of services rendered (calculated by the number of lessons attended.) The remaining balance is refunded.

• Cancelling more than 60 days before the trimester:

75% of the tuition fee is refunded.

• Cancelling more than 30 days before the trimester:

50% of the tuition fee is refunded.

• Cancelling fewer than 30 days before the trimester:

​Cancellations made at this time are not entitled to any refund. If we are able to find another person to take the vacant space, the cancellation will be refunded, however we cannot guarantee that this will be possible.

•  After the trimester starts:

No refunds are given. Crediting the tuition fee towards taking the course (or any other course) at some later date is not permitted.

Are DARA students eligible for the STAP-budget?

Not at this time.

Please note that the STAP-budget will be discontinued in 2024.

Are there any discounts or other financial aid?

Yes. Students who are 21 years old or younger, or enrolled in a full-time university or MBO programme while studying at DARA, receive a 10% discount off the cost of tuition.

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

Finally, there are a few limited work-study opportunities every trimester to assist instructors in exchange for reduced tuition.

Materials

What materials do I need to bring to class?

Easels, stools, and drawing boards are always provided at the studio. 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 very subjective – which brand of paints or brushes you prefer, the type/shape of palette that works best for you, etc. are personal.

Where can I buy art supplies?

We have a very small store space in the studio with a few limited 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 drawing and painting supplies stored at DARA?

Yes, during the trimester. All students are given a designated storage space to keep supplies, drawings, and paintings for the duration of the term.

At the end of the trimester, if you are not enrolled in the next immediately scheduled course, you must take your belongings home with you. Our space is very limited and we do 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.

Extracurriculars

What are extracurriculars?

Extracurricular sessions are organized by the studio to offer additional opportunities for our students to draw or paint from life with other students and instructors at DARA. Currently, we organize extracurricular sessions on portrait, nude figure, and plein air sketching.

Do extracurricular sessions take place year round?

There are no sessions held during the summer, or any other breaks in between trimesters. The plein air sketch group is seasonal and only takes place during the spring.

I am not a student at DARA, can I still join?

At this time, extracurricular sessions are not open to anyone who has never enrolled as a student at DARA.

If you are a former student who has taken a part-time class or workshop in the past, you may attend if space is available. Please contact the studio first.

Are there any costs to attend?

For the most part, extracurricular sessions are free and included with the cost of your tuition fee. The only exception is the model sketch group, in which the model's payment is divided evenly among the participants in attendance.

I signed up to join an extracurricular, but I cannot attend every session. Is that OK?

Yes. Attendance at every session is not required.

Are extracurricular sessions instructed?

All extracurriculars are uninstructed.

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.

​

• 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.

Please keep this in mind if you are interested in following multiple trimesters at DARA. After completing one trimester, you would be obliged to exit the entire Schengen Area for at least 90 days before returning for enrollment in a new term.

• 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.