2017 WRS Teaching Artist Policies:

Part of our mission as a nonprofit is to create economic opportunities for artists, and we want you to make a living from your art. We are your partners in building your classes, and helping to promote your art and classes!

We ask that you please abide by these rules out of mutual respect:

  1. WRS advertises your classes on our website, Facebook, eblasts, and some printed materials.We hope you will do the same.
  2. You have access to WRS’s website and can monitor your class attendance and enrollment. It is up to you to make sure that the attendance is accurate so that we can pay you accurately.
  3. WRS supplies the space, equipment (easels, tables, chairs, etc) for your classes but does not set up or clean up after your class. THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, make sure you are physically capable of doing this, or ask staff to help you.
  4. Artist is responsible for setting up the classroom 30 minutes prior to the start of class, and cleaning up after the class so that the classroom is ready for the next teacher. This includes washing any dishes/brushes. Do not leave tables and chairs, or dishes in the sink, or dirty brushes, for the next teacher to have to clean up.
  5. WRS splits the workshop fees or class tuition 50/50 with the artist, we register participants and provide you with a check before the class ends, or within a week of the workshop. If you choose to set up a class with any other payment split, it must be approved first, and set into place by staff.
  6. WRS provides refreshments for each class, teaching artist may need to replenish the refreshment cart or notify staff if refreshments are low.
  7. WRS reimburses teaching artists for materials, or model fees, depending on attendance.
  8. We ask that you promote your workshops and distribute our brochures. While many artists teach from their studios as well as ours, we ask that you not promote your home studio classes to our clientele during your class or workshop!
  9. We are happy to host a workshop for a small number if enrollments are low. You may elect to cancel your class/workshop if it is unprofitable for you. We encourage you to have the workshop even for a small number as it helps to build a following for you as a teacher, and will pay you 80/20 for holding a class for 1 person if you request it.
  10. Behave professionally as if you were working in an office during your class; appropriate language, no discriminatory behaviors (jokes, etc) do not talk on cellphone or allow it to ring, dress appropriately, be punctual.NEVER YELL AT A STUDENT or respond angrily to a student; walk away and let a staff person handle any disputes.
  11. If you must cancel a class, it is up to you to notify the students based on your website enrollment sheet. You must also notify the staff so we can issue refunds.
  12. If you are teaching a class outside of business hours (12-6, Mon-Sat) you may need access to the building and to turn on heat/ac/lights. Make sure you know how to do this in advance of your class. Also, if you are leaving after staff, please make sure and shut down things listed on the back of the door. You may want to lock the door to avoid foot traffic and disruption of your class.
  13. Never end a class more than 15 mins. Early. Always have another class ready to recommend to your students so that they can register for it before they leave. 
  14. It is suggested that you do not touch a student’s artwork without their permission; some people can be weird about a teacher drawing on their paper, some want it. You need to communicate with your students to determine what is best.
  15. Ending with a group critique helps students to get peer feedback and better talk about art. We highly recommend it.

You are not am employee of WRS but rather a partner; we work with you to make your classes a success. You are technically called an “independent contractor” and will be given a 1099 at year’s end for tax purposes if you make over $500 that year.

We think of you more as a friend and colleague, and will do everything in our power to make your classes a success as your success if also our success. We have set up a teacher’s membership to our nonprofit, to give you certain benefits if you chose:

  1. Teacher’s ID for discounts at art supply stores. To obtain this, email a headshot photo to Wallkill River School and we will design, print, and laminate one for you.
  2. AFLAC insurance since so many artists don’t have adequate insurance. We offer you policies through us in case you contract cancer, become hospitalized, or disabled. Please ask the desk for information and enroll if you are interested. We do not pay for these, nor do we make any money from them, it is purely a professional courtesy.
  3. Teacher’s meetings happen quarterly through the year and are opportunities to discuss ideas and concerns with staff and board members. You are encouraged to attend as we value your opinions.
  4. Teacher’s Exhibit is every year; this year in March, and we focus on each teacher with group show of 3-4 works and a live demo. This helps to build your class enrollment, and increase your profile as a professional artist.
  5. Plein air class this year will be single workshops that are promoted and register independently (like Sip and Paint parties) so you are welcome to offer a plein air workshop anywhere you wish, on any topic you wish and we will promote it. We suggest $30 for two hours you would keep half. 10 people will net you $150 for the workshop.

Once you have read through these guidelines, please sign below, or respond by email the following quote:

I have read and understand the 2017 teacher’s guidelines.

Teacher’s signature

date