Registration
– Policies
– Senior’s Discount
Age Requirements
Course Materials
Missed Classes
Course Transfers, Withdrawals and Refunds
Sexual Violence, Harassment and Abuse Policy
Life At DVSA
– Photographs
– Nut Allergies
– Scent Free Studios
– Cleaning Solvents and Aerosol Use
– Student Code of Conduct
– Parents in Children’s Classes and Expectations
– Inclement Weather Closures
In some cases, a course may need to be cancelled due to lack of enrolment. DVSA reserves the right to change, alter or cancel any course or student registration.
If a course has a low enrollment, it will be postponed for one week. Students will be notified of this change before the start of the course. A postponed course may be cancelled if the minimum enrolment is not reached.
Students (with instructor’s permission) may register after the 3rd week of classes for a pro-rated tuition plus a $25 +HST processing fee.
Instructors are provided with a class list of their students’ names, phone numbers and email addresses. If you do not wish to be included on the class list, please notify the school office.
DVSA reserves the right to cancel a student registration without the benefit of a refund/credit if the registrant’s age does not meet the course age requirements. We are not licensed to provide art programming for children under the age of 4 years. Parents with children in programs for 4-6 year olds may be asked to provide proof of age for their child.
A $50.00 + HST administration charge will be applied for NSF cheques.
Students 65 and over receive a 10% discount off tuition for all full term courses (courses that run the full duration of the term, minimum 8 weeks). Discounts must be requested when registering. We are unable to refund discounts after registration has been processed. To use the senior’s discount when registering online, please call us first so we can establish the discount in your account and it will be available for future use.
Adult classes are intended for students ages 16+. Students under the age of 16 must receive permission from the Executive Director and course instructor before enrolling. We are not licensed to provide art programming for children under the age of 4 years. Parents with children in programs for 4-6 year olds may be asked to provide proof of age for their child.
Materials for all adult classes are to be provided by the student, unless otherwise stated. Course material lists and necessary information will be emailed prior to the first class and/or made available on the DVSA website. Materials for children’s classes are included, unless otherwise stated.
As a non-profit school, DVSA is unable to offer refunds, credits or compensatory classes for absences and/or missed lessons that occur due to student illness or schedule conflicts. However, if a class is cancelled because of a weather-related school closing or the teacher’s inability to attend, a make-up class will be offered (please note: this does not apply to March Break or Summer Art Camp children’s classes).
We want you to love your program. If you’ve chosen a class that isn’t the right fit, let us know within the first two classes (ideally, the sooner the better!) and we’ll work with you to find an alternate program (transfer fee of $15+HST will apply).
We offer full refunds on cancelled classes. If for any reason DVSA cancels a course, every attempt will be made to identify an alternative course that will be suitable to the student. If this is not possible, the course will be fully refunded with no administrative charges applied.
All monetary refunds requested by registrants are subject to a $25 + HST administrative fee. All requests for refunds (minus $25 + HST administrative charge) must be made at least 2 weeks prior to the start date of the course. If a request is made after the 2 week notice period, but prior to the start date of the course, a 50% refund for the tuition (minus $25 + HST administrative charge) will be refunded (does not apply to March Break or Summer Art Camp children’s classes). No monetary refunds will be issued after the start date of the course unless there is a prolonged absence due to illness.
Withdrawal is available at any time for doctor-certified medical reasons and a pro-rated percentage of the tuition will be refunded less applicable fees and taxes.
Medical Refunds will be calculated at the following rates:
PLEASE NOTE: Should you request to withdraw from a class/workshop, be aware the registration fee, model and/or material fees + HST are non-refundable.
March Break and Summer Art Camp request for transfers ($15+HST) and/or refunds must be made 2 weeks prior to the start date of the camp program. With refund requests, 50% of camp tuition fees will be refunded (minus $25 + HST administrative charge). We are unable to offer refunds after the 2 week notice period.
PLEASE NOTE: Should you request to withdraw from a camp, be aware the registration fee and any model and/or material fees + HST are non-refundable.
Please allow up to six weeks of processing time on any refund. Applied credits remain on your account for 2 years.
This policy extends to all persons at DVSA that includes, but is not limited to, employees, students, volunteers, instructors, Board of Governors and other related third parties. This policy prohibits any type of harassment on DVSA premises as well as off-site locations if there are real or implied consequences related to the school (i.e. offsite programs, meetings, events, supplier locations, social situations related to DVSA, contact at home, etc.). View a PDF of the policy here.
Photographs
From time to time, DVSA takes photographs of our students at work for use in our publications, on our website or in grant materials. For privacy reasons, students are NEVER identified. The photographs are not released to any other group and are not used for commercial purposes. If you do not wish to have yourself or your child photographed, please inform the school office at the time of registration.
Nut Allergies
Due to allergy concerns, we ask that you please avoid bringing products with nuts into the DVSA.
Scent Free Studios
We have a Scent-Free policy in all our studios. Please refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, aftershave and other fragrances. The chemicals used in scented products can make some people sick, especially those with fragrance sensitivities, asthma, allergies and other medical conditions.
Cleaning Solvents and Aerosol Use
DVSA does not permit the use of aerosols (adhesives, sealants, varnishes, etc.) within the School. Additionally, in keeping with our Scent-Free policy, turpentine/linseed oil based solvents are not permitted. Oil painters must clean their brushes with Turpenoid, vegetable oil or soap & water. Alternately, water-based oil paints are available at all art suppliers.
Student Code of Conduct
All students have the right to learn in a positive and creative environment. If any student disrupts the learning of others, or is disrespectful towards others, he or she will be given one warning by the instructor. In the case of a child, the parent/guardian will be notified by the executive director. Failure to correct the disruptive behaviour will result in the student’s removal from the course with no reimbursement of fees.
Parents In Children’s Classes and Expectations
As a parent, you are welcome to take a few minutes to settle your child in a new class or workshop. However, if your child is still unsettled after ten minutes, we ask that you either request some art supplies and move to the lobby to see if it’s possible to calm your child to the extent they are ready to join their program, or let us know that you will be leaving and will return the following class.
Should it not be possible to introduce your child successfully to a new program, you may request a refund, as per our refund policy or we can credit your account. Please note that the amount would be prorated relative to the number of classes remaining and administrative fees may apply.
Alternatively, if after three classes an instructor remains concerned about your child’s ability to get the best out of the program, we will contact you to discuss next steps. DVSA reserves the right to remove a child that is disrupting a program should it be in the best interest of ensuring other students’ ability to engage with the program.
Should we need to close DVSA due to inclement winter weather, the following methods are used to notify our school community:
If you are uncertain whether the school is open, please refer to one of the resources above.
