Policies
General Information
BAC offers fine arts classes for children, teens and adults from beginners through advanced students in the visual arts—including foundational, figurative, landscape, and abstract painting, watercolor, drawing, and pastel, we well as sculpture, ceramics, wheel pottery, cartooning, and mixed media—to students of all ages and abilities. Fine arts instruction is rooted in the elements of art, principles of design, art history, and the K-12 Visual and Performing Arts Content standards. BAC is dedicated to an environment and curriculum that encourages self-expression, teaches traditional skills, reflects new and creative ideas, and is sensitive to the needs of the individual and to the dynamics of the group. Classes are small and individualized, and the optimum artistic development of each person is our ultimate goal. BAC’s instructors are talented artists and educators who have a desire to inspire each student while focusing on the integration of process and product, concept and skill, and creativity and structure.
Registration Information
Online Registration
Students may register for classes and ticketed events at www.brentwoodart.org by visiting the top Programs tab, selecting and reviewing the course and clicking Register Now. If you have trouble with online registration, please call 310-451-5657 or email us at info@brentwoodart.org.
Online Art Classes
Students may review adult online courses on this website by visiting the top Programs tab. Registered students receive a Zoom link a day before the class. We ask that all students on Zoom be registered for the class even if they are siblings. Questions? Please email info@brentwoodart.org.
Pay-Per-visit
Students are eligible to sign up for classes on a pay-per-visit basis with the consent of the instructor, providing the class is not fully enrolled and it is at least 24 hours in advance. Pay-per-visit course cost is $110 per 3 hour class session for in-person instruction, and $70 per 2 hour class session. Online courses are not eligible for pay-per-visit access. An additional registration fee is required each term. Payment for pay-per-visit must be received prior to class.
In-Person Classes
As of the Spring 2023 term, Brentwood Art Center returned to the in-person learning model at our new facility located at 1625 Olympic Blvd in Santa Monica. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, special safety requirements may be required.
Fees
Registration Fees
As of February 25, 2022, Brentwood Art Center implementied a Registration Fee of $25 per person for adults, $10 for children. This non-refundable Registration Fee will be applied one-time per quarter. The fee will help offset the necessary cost of administrative support and business systems required to develop, offer, and run BAC creative programs. Thank you for your understanding.
Materials Fees
In some cases there is a non-refundable Materials Fee for a course, which covers the cost of art supplies (for example, clay, glazes, and firing costs for ceramics courses.
Supplies
Students are required to purchase their own art supplies. Materials lists are provided alongside the course description.
Covid-19 Safety Protocols for In-Person Classes
Students & Faculty
Covid-19 vaccination and boosters strongly recommended, for faculty, staff, and students
Masks are recommended on the premises (KN95 masks provided to staff and faculty)
Hand-sanitizer provided at front desk, in the bathrooms, and administrative office
Ventilation: HVAC system was replaced in 2023; Doors may be propped open for cross ventilation
Frequent cleaning and disinfection
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Do not come to the Center with any type of cold/flu/Covid symptoms.
If a student, faculty, or staff member arrives at Campus exhibiting cold/flu/Covid symptoms, they will be asked to leave.
If you test positive for Covid after visiting the Center, please contact the Executive Director, Amy Gantman at 310-451-5657 so that we can implement BAC Covid Safety Procedures and contact exposed community members to limit further spread.
Cancelations
Canceled Courses (entire)
Brentwood Art Center reserves the right to cancel, reschedule, or combine courses on or before the first scheduled class if fewer than the required students enroll. If your course is canceled, discontinued, or rescheduled before the first class meeting date we will contact you and issue a full credit or refund at your request.
Canceled Class (individual session)
If an instructor has an emergency and is unable to teach an individual class session, another session date will be scheduled. If a student is unable to attend the new class session, a prorated credit or refund will be provided.
Refund Policy
Courses (5-12 classes)
Students must submit a written refund / credit request by email to info@brentwoodart.org prior to the 2nd class meeting to receive a full tuition refund. No refunds are provided after the second class.
Courses (1-4 classes)
Students must submit a written refund / credit request by email to info@brentwoodart.org prior to the 1st class meeting to receive a full tuition refund. No refunds are provided after the first class.
Camps
Parents must submit a written refund / credit request by email to info@brentwoodart.org a minimum of 1 week before the start of the camp to withdraw their child for a full refund. After that time, no refunds are possible.
Private Lessons
As per BAC’s private lesson agreement, students must submit a written request to cancel their session(s) at least 1 week prior to the scheduled date to receive a refund or credit. Without this notification, the student will be responsible for the full fee of the scheduled session.
Registration Fees
If a class is canceled, Registration Fees are fully refundable. If a student drops a class their Registration Fee is non-refundable.
Materials Fees
If a class is canceled by BAC, the Materials Fee is fully refundable. If a student drops a class their Materials Fee is non-refunable.
Make-Up Sessions
We are not able to facilitate make-up sessions for students. There are no makeups, refunds, or credits for missed classes or student absences.
Emergency Circumstances
We understand that an unforeseen emergency circumstance may arise causing a student’s inability to complete a class. Student requests that fall outside the above policy will be considered on a case by case basis by the Center Director. If an exception to policy is granted, it will be in the form of a class credit. All requests must be received within 90 days from the course end date to be considered. If the final refund date has passed, claims for exception to the course refund policy will be considered only under the most unusual circumstances. Please send an email describing your circumstance, with appropriate documentation, to info@brentwoodart.org
Scholarships
The Friends of the Brentwood Art Center offers scholarships for classes each semester for children, teens, and adults, based on financial need. To learn more about our Scholarship Program and to fill out an application, please visit the Scholarships & Awards page or email info@brentwoodart.org.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The Brentwood Art Center admits students of any race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sex, age, and sexual orientation to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the center. It does not discriminate on the basis of any of these characteristics in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship, and loan programs, or other programs. Our students, staff and faculty include a diverse population, embracing a variety of traditions, and the Brentwood Art Center recognizes the importance of each individual’s beliefs and convictions. Due to our policy of non-discrimination, we maintain an academic calendar that includes a limited number of holiday closures.
Pronoun Policy
Pronouns – we all use them as part of everyday conversation. A pronoun is a word that refers to either the people talking (like “I” or “you”) or someone or something that is being talked about (like “she,” “it,” “them,” and “this”.)
Brentwood Art Center strives to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community. Several BAC members have shared with our organization that they identify as non-binary gender identity or transgender, indicating their preference to be identified by different pronouns such as they rather than he or she, or Teacher rather than Miss or Mister. To help us navigate these timely social changes, BAC has come up with the following plan:
During the employee onboarding process, new employees will be provided with a place to declare preferred names and pronouns. BAC will strive to use these as the basis of introducing new employees in meetings and classroom settings.
At their discretion, faculty, students, and staff are welcome to assign preferred names and personal pronouns on Zoom during their online classes.
At their discretion, staff and faculty are welcome to assign personal pronouns in their email signature lines.
We also support employees to self-identify preferred names and pronouns as part of their work profiles.
We request that community members respect the identities of their instructors, peers, and colleagues, and how they would like to be addressed.
We encourage community members to role model preferred pronoun usage when introducing people to a new workgroup, in meetings, or in the classroom setting.
Thank you for your support in fostering an inclusive environment where all community members feel safe to be themselves and welcomed to be their creative best. Please be aware that we expect this policy to evolve over time.
Painting Studio Usage: Acceptable Oil Painting Materials
Painting hazards are generally those presented by using toxic paint pigments and paint cleaning solvents. In an effort to create a safe working environment for everyone, BAC has established a list of acceptable materials and solvents for use in its facilities.
Please be aware that some of our allowed art making materials have a high odor, even though they are natural and safer products. We have taken every step to keep spaces ventilated including the installation of 4 new HVAC units.
Download a copy of the acceptable materials list here.
Thank you for your understanding.
Other Policies
The Center reserves the right to change its calendar, withdraw a class, modify curriculum or substitute instructors at any time. There will be no refunds for classes in the event of teacher substitution due to illness or other circumstance. The Center also reserves the right to require the withdrawal of any student whose conduct is deemed detrimental to other students, faculty or staff. Students are not permitted to film or otherwise record the Zoom classes. No photography, videography, or any other recording is permitted in classes where a model is present.