General

Who are workshops at DARA intended for?

Workshops at DARA are vocational training intended for continued professional development in the fine arts. Do any of the following descriptions sound like you?

• I am a creative professional, such as a painter, illustrator, tattoo artist, etc. I am already experienced - I am just looking to hone the skills I have for continued development in my career.

 

• I currently work in a non-creative profession, but I would like to eventually transition into a career in art. I am interested in networking with professionals and other aspiring artists, and developing my skillset further.

 

• Art is a serious hobby/passion for me, but I am not intending to turn it into a job. I love to draw and paint and I enjoy immersing myself in these activities during my free time.

If yes, then you are specifically who our workshops are intended for.

As a general rule of thumb, students benefit most from a workshop if they already have a good grasp of drawing and painting basics. If you have a passion for art, but you are a beginner who is just getting started, some of our summer bootcamps might be a better fit.

How much does a workshop cost, and what is included with the tuition fee?

With a few exceptions, most workshops at DARA currently consist of 30 hours of instruction (5 lesson days). As of 2024-2025, the typical cost of tuition is for a 30-hour workshop is €750. Some courses may vary, so please refer to the Workshop Tuition Fees page for exact rates.

Tuition fees for workshops always include:

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

Some courses may include art materials - please check the workshop materials list to see which, if any, materials are included with the tuition fee. For most courses, the expectation is that students will supply their own art materials.
​
The cost of the student's accommodation and transport are not included.

​Tuition fees are subject to annual increase.

What is the expected level for workshop students?

On each workshop page, we indicate the recommended skill level for students.

That said, we do not have a strict application process for workshops. We aim to be very upfront about what students can expect out of a workshop, and we trust that you can determine whether the course will benefit you at the current stage of your artistic practice/career.

What exactly will students learn / do in a workshop?

On each workshop page, you will find the following information:

• the recommended student level;
• an overview of key concepts that the course focuses on;
• a 2-3 paragraph description of the course, written by the instructor and DARA.

Once you are accepted, you will receive a programme outline that breaks down the general day-to-day lesson plan.

​This way, you can have a good idea before you pay to book your spot as to what you can expect from the class, and if it seems like the right fit for you.

When are workshops scheduled?

Most workshops are scheduled from late spring to early fall. At the moment, we typically do not run any workshops during the late fall and winter.

Lessons are typically held during the hours of 9:30 to 16:30, with a lunch break from 12:30 to 13:30.

Will a workshop at DARA offered this year also be offered next year?

We cannot make any guarantees that workshops led by visiting instructors will be offered again the following year.

When will DARA announce the workshop schedule for next year?

The workshop schedule for the next upcoming year is published in autumn. We generally do our best to publish the course roster in October or November, though organizing each year's programme and coordinating instructor schedules takes time, and delays may happen. Patience is appreciated.

Will I learn to draw or paint from photos?

No, copying from photos is not in line with DARA's approach to teaching. Students generally work from direct real-life observation, or from a reproduction of a master's work.

The only workshop on our 2025 roster which utilizes photos in some capacity is ​Painting the Invented Landscape with Ryan Brown. Ryan will be teaching strategies to compile different photo references and sketches to design your own landscape, not how to copy from the pictures directly.​

Which languages are used in class?

English is the main language spoken in our workshops.

Can students of any age join?

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 old: DARA must receive written permission from your parent or legal guardian in order for you to enroll. Please be advised that some classes may contain nudity (either models who pose nude, or copying after master works which depict nudity.) Maturity and professionalism is expected from all students.​

Can I follow a workshop online?

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

Can my friend or family member come to class with me?

No, classes are only open to registered students. In order to maintain a comfortable, safe, and focused class environment for all students, instructors, and models, 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 / lounge area while classes are still in session.

Can I bring my pet to class?

No, pets are not allowed. If you have a working service animal, please indicate this in your application form, or otherwise contact us before the start of your course.

Do I get a certificate when I complete a workshop?

If you require a certificate of course completion, please contact the office. Note that an attendance rate of 80% or more is required for a certificate of completion to be issued.

Can I park my car at DARA?

Yes. On Zuider Emmakade, the street where DARA is located, there is 24/7 free parking.

For more info, click here to see which areas in Haarlem are in paid parking zones, and where you may park for free.

How do I reach DARA by public transport?

Nearest bus stops / train connections:

• Haarlem Schouwtjesbrug (lines 80, 680) 3-4 minute walk to DARA, connection to Heemstede-Aerdenhout station;
• Haarlem Florapark (lines 50, 250) 8 minute walk to DARA, connection to Haarlem station;
• Haarlem Centrum/Houtplein (lines 3, 50, 80, 346, 356) 14 minute walk to DARA, connections to Haarlem station & Heemstede-Aerdenhout station

Visit Connexxion for up to date info about bus routes & schedules.

​Are you visiting DARA from abroad? Please note that bus drivers here do not accept cash for bus fare. It's advisable to purchase your ticket in advance of your trip, or be prepared to pay the driver with a card. At the bus stop, stick out your hand as the bus is approaching to indicate to the driver that you want to board.

Applications

How do I apply for a workshop?

All applications must be submitted online.

To apply, navigate to any course by visiting the Workshop 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
• Allergies or other dietary restrictions that the studio must accommodate when serving meals

How do I check if there are spaces available for a workshop?

If a workshop is fully booked, the course thumbnail is clearly marked with an orange banner that indicates "FULL." When visiting the course page, the course status at the top of the page is marked "Waiting List," and a written notice that the course is full is stated above the "Apply Now" button.

If there are no such indications that the course is fully booked, and the status at the top of the course page reads "Applications Open," then there are still spaces available in the class.

Can I still apply for a workshop if it's full?

Yes. By applying for a workshop that is full, your name will be placed on a waiting list.

If someone in the workshop cancels before the start of lessons, the instructor will review the waiting list to determine the applicant most suited for the class. The studio will then offer the available space to this person.

It is not possible to be placed on the waiting list without submitting an application.

When does the application period for workshops close?

Applications close two business days before the start of the course.

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 workshop or not?

Applications are reviewed and responded to within 2 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 2 working days. (Note that the office is closed on weekends and holidays.)

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

• Review your acceptance documents. You should have received an acceptance letter, materials list, and a bill for the workshop tuition fees. Please review these materials thoroughly so that you are familiar with DARA's studio policies and fully prepared for class.
• Reserve your place. Your bill indicates the dates when each installment of tuition fees must be paid in order to reserve your place in the 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 or dietary information changes.
• Prepare to arrive to the first lesson on time and with the correct materials.

Payments

How much does a workshop cost, and what is included with the tuition fee?

With a few exceptions, most workshops at DARA currently consist of 30 hours of instruction (5 lesson days). As of 2024-2025, the typical cost of tuition is for a 30-hour workshop is €750. Some courses may vary, so please refer to the Workshop Tuition Fees page for exact rates.

Tuition fees for workshops always include:

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

Some courses may include art materials - please check the workshop materials list to see which, if any, materials are included with the tuition fee. For most courses, the expectation is that students will supply their own art materials.
​
The cost of the student's accommodation and transport are not included.

​Tuition fees are subject to annual increase.

When is the deadline to pay for a workshop?

The deadline to pay the tuition fee depends on how far in advance the course will be held from the time you are accepted.

If you are accepted when there are more than 45 days before the start of the workshop:
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 for a deposit are:

• Paying half of the tuition fee as a deposit, and the remaining half 30 days before the first day of class. 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. 

If you are accepted when there are fewer than 45 days from the start of the workshop:
The full cost of tuition is due 4 weeks before the start of class. 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.

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 in time to keep your space in the class reserved, this is considered a cancellation and DARA is no longer keeping your space on hold. If you decide later that you want to join the workshop, you are very welcome to do so if there are still places available, but DARA is not able to guarantee availability.

If you paid a deposit, but you are late with paying the outstanding balance according to your chosen payment plan, there is a late fee of EUR 40,- per week if the overdue payment is not settled within 5 working days.

What is DARA's cancellation & refund policy?

• "Cool-off" Period

If your cancellation is made within 14 days of the initial tuition payment, tuition fees are fully refunded, regardless of the amount of time between the cancellation date and the start of the workshop.*

* Note: If the workshop has already started, then you are 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 your cancellation, regardless of whether or not you attended. The remaining balance is refunded.

• Cancelling more than 6 months before the workshop:

100% of the tuition fee is refunded.

• Cancelling fewer than 6 months before the workshop**:

50% of the total tuition fee is refunded (excluding the initial deposit.)

• Cancelling fewer than 30 days before the workshop**:

No refunds are given at this time. It is also too late at this time to credit your tuition fees towards another course. (Please refer to the next question below about transfers.)

** In both these circumstances, DARA will waive our standard policy and refund you in full if another student is available to take your space. We will do our best to make this happen, but cannot guarantee that this will always be possible. If your space is not filled by someone else before the workshop starts, then our standard policy written above applies.

• Withdrawing from the workshop after the class starts:

There are no refunds given or credits to take a different course in the future.

• Absences

​Any absences during workshops are not refunded or made up with the instructor in a private lesson outside of class.

If I want to transfer my tuition fees towards a different workshop, can I do that?

Crediting your tuition fees and enrollment from one workshop to a different course is considered a course transfer. DARA only accepts course transfers if all the following conditions are met:

• There are more than 6 weeks from the start of the workshop you were originally accepted into;
• The course you would like to transfer to is currently open for registration;
• Space is available in the alternate class, and you meet any acceptance requirements.

If these conditions are not met, transferring courses is not permitted and our regular cancellation policy applies (see above 'What is DARA's refund policy?')

Are there any discounts or other financial aid?

The available discounts that DARA offers for workshops can be viewed on the Workshop Tuition Fees page.

Please note that discounts which apply to other programmes, like the Trimester Programme or Summer Bootcamps, are not applicable to workshops.

 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 enrollment in courses at DARA. Please visit their website for more information.

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 theworkshop page, under the "Materials" section. This list is also provided in PDF format upon acceptance.

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

• Our workshops are offered as vocational training for artists seeking professional development, or otherwise pursuing drawing and painting at a serious level. For this type of training, it is expected that students already own materials like oil paints, brushes, etc. and will continue to use these tools after the course 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 down to personal taste.

Where can I buy art supplies?

We have a small store space in the studio with some supplies for sale. Any item we sell at DARA is indicated on the PDF materials list sent to accepted students.

For any items that we do not currently have in stock at DARA, the materials list contains various art supply stores in Haarlem and surrounding cities where items can be purchased.

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

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

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 another art store.

Can I keep my drawing and painting supplies stored at DARA?

Yes, during the workshop. 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 workshop, if you are not enrolled in any further workshops, you must take your belongings home with you, or pay a fee to have your belongings shipped to 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.

Travel

Does DARA arrange accommodation for workshop students?

Accommodation is not provided by DARA, and students are responsible for organizing accommodation during their stay.

Can you recommend me a place to stay near the studio?

Hotels Nearest to DARA

• The Niu Dairy - most economical rates
• Hotel Raecks
• Boutique Hotel 't Vosje
• Carlton Square Hotel Haarlem

These locations are all within approximately 15 to 20 minutes walking distance from DARA.

Near the Train Station
A stone's throw from Haarlem Station:

• Hotel Lion d'Or

Haarlem Centrum
Located in the historic center of Haarlem, near the Frans Hals Museum and Teylers Museum:

• Ambassador City Centre Hotel
• Amrâth Grand Hotel Frans Hals
• Haarlem Hotel Suites

Other Accommodation Options

• AirBnB has been a very popular option for our past workshop students visiting from out of town.

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

• Do you need a visa?

​​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.

​Check whether you need a visa here.

• Plan ahead if you need a Schengen Visa

A Schengen Visa can be applied for 6 months ahead of your travel. 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. 

Further, 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 advised that you plan ahead, and are prepared to apply for the visa as early as possible.

• Travel requirements for visa-exempt nationals

If you do not need to apply for a short-stay Schengen Visa, please note that there are new travel requirements scheduled to begin in mid-2025.

Presently, nationals of visa-free countries (such as the United States, Canada, etc.) are able to travel to the European Union for up to 90 days out of a 180-day period with only a valid passport. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will soon be implemented as an additional requirement for this type of travel.

Travellers will need to apply for ETIAS prior to arrival in the European Union. ETIAS will be linked to your passport and is valid for three years (or until your passport expires), and travellers will be able to apply online for a fee of €7.

At the time of this writing (November 2024), ETIAS is not in operation and there is not yet a fixed date as to when it will be implemented. Please visit the official ETIAS website for up-to-date information.

• Study duration

At this time, DARA is not able to sponsor students who reside outside of the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (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, even if you are a national of a country which is entitled to enter the Schengen Area without a visa.

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. If you are planning on applying for multiple workshops, or otherwise combining your study at DARA with a longer trip in Europe, you must ensure that your travel dates are within the maximum legal duration of 90 days out of a 180-day period.

Will DARA help me obtain 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 workshop 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.

​Upon your acceptance into a workshop, advise the studio if you will need to apply for a Schengen Visa. 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 (note that the earliest date that you can apply for a Schengen Visa is 6 months before your intended travel.)

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.

What if I cannot transport wet paintings or other personal belongings home at the end of the workshop?

​If you are unable to bring any items home with you at the end of the workshop, DARA can ship your belongings to you for a fee. We use PostNL for all shipments (both domestic and abroad). Shipping costs are at the student's expense, and can be calculated here.

• Before the end of the course, let a member of staff know that you would like your belongings to be shipped to you. A waiver of liability must be signed, which states that DARA only retains responsibility of your belongings while they are stored in our care; we are not financially responsible if the package is lost or damaged during transit.*
• At the studio, we will weigh and measure your items. A staff member will help you to print a shipping label on the PostNL website, which will requires you to submit a list of the weight, dimensions, and estimated value of all items if you are shipping outside of the country. Here, you will input your delivery address, contact details, and pay PostNL's shipping fee.
• DARA charges an additional service cost per package, which covers the cost of packing materials, labor, and transport to a shipping facility. Rates start from €25 for small parcels, and increase to €35 for medium and large parcels. (Check PostNL parcel sizes here.)
• Shipments are sent out on the last weekend of every month. If your shipment includes a painting which is still wet, your shipment will be rolled over to the next month.

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* Liability: PostNL offers insured delivery for both domestic and international shipments, which compensates up to 5500 EUR in the event of damage or loss. Insuring the package is at the student’s expense.