Gallery Covid Policy:
Masks are optional when visiting the galleries at the Guild. We continue to monitor the situation and update our policies as necessary to ensure a safe experience for all.
Class Times
Please arrive on time for your class. Set-up and clean-up time is scheduled into each class timeframe. Please do not arrive early or stay past the end of the class. The teacher will leave promptly at the end of class and lock up so please do not delay. When the teacher leaves the classroom, students are also expected to leave.
Convenience Fee
A non–refundable convenience fee of 2.5% will be added to any credit card payment for classes. This fee covers the cost of processing the credit card transaction. Classes paid by check in person do not incur the processing fee.
Enrollment
A minimum enrollment is required for The Guild to conduct a class. In addition, there can be a maximum enrollment based on the studio size, equipment and instructor’s requirements. If a class is cancelled for minimum enrollment, either a credit or refund will be made.
Course or Workshop Changes
The Guild reserves the right to change its calendar, withdraw or modify courses or workshops based on weather or other extenuating circumstances. We reserve the right to use substitute instructors, as needed. Classes or workshops cancelled due to bad weather or instructor’s absence will be rescheduled according to studio availability. Every attempt will be made to makeup a class due to bad weather or instructor’s absences but in the event a makeup date is not possible, we will issue either a credit or a refund.
Attendance
There are no makeups or refunds if a student cannot attend a regularly scheduled class or makeup class or workshop. Students who cannot attend a regularly scheduled class or workshop cannot substitute another person in their place or take a different class as a makeup.
Cancellations
If the Guild needs to cancel a course or workshop for any other reason, all fees will either be credited or refunded. In the event a course or workshop is cancelled due to low enrollment or teacher’s absence, notice will be given one to three days prior to the course or workshop start date.
Refunds for Courses
If a student wishes to withdraw from a class after registering, the student must notify the Guild office before the first class meets to receive a refund. This must be in writing via email to education.rgoa@gmail.com. All fees will be refunded minus any non-refundable credit card processing fee if paid by credit card. No refunds will be given for any reason, including written withdrawal requests, after the first class meets. For classes that have begun, RGOA may issue a credit to be used within one year. If a student withdraws for a medical emergency with a doctor’s note, a pro-rated tuition credit may be considered after the first day of class. If credit is issued, there will be an expiration date and must be used within that date. There are no substitutions or transfers for granted credits.
Refunds for Workshops
The student must notify the Guild office at least one week (seven days) prior to the scheduled workshop date in order to receive a refund for withdrawal. If a student notifies the Guild office with an official withdrawal, a refund will be granted minus any non-refundable credit card processing fee. Refunds take four to six weeks to process. Students who register seven days or less before the workshops start date cannot receive a refund. All withdrawal requests must be in writing via email to education.rgoa@gmail.com. Withdrawal request forms are available in the Guild office and must be returned to the Guild office before the the Board considers any credit. There are no substitutions or transfers for granted credits. There will be an expiration date and must be used within that date.
Paint & Pour and ARTini
Any student registered for a Paint & Pour or ARTini event must notify the Guild office at least one week (seven days) prior to the scheduled workshop date in order to receive a refund for withdrawal. If a student notifies the Guild office with an official withdrawal via email to education.rgoa@gmail.com, a refund will be granted minus any non-refundable credit card processing fee. Refunds take four to six weeks to process.
Private Parties
A non-refundable 50% deposit is due upon signing up for any private art party, paint & pour or ARTini event. The other non-refundable 50% is due one week prior to the event date. A minimum number must be met in order to run the private party. Parties can be run with enrollment below the minimum as long as the minimum fee is paid. The party contact must notify the Guild office at least one week (seven days) prior to the scheduled party date in order to receive a refund for withdrawal. No refunds after seven days. If a student notifies the Guild office with an official withdrawal via email to education.rgoa@gmail.com, a refund will be granted minus any non-refundable credit card processing fee. Refunds take four to six weeks to process.
School Weather Cancellations or Delays
The Ridgefield Guild of Artists follows the Ridgefield Public School calendar. If RPS is cancelled or has an early dismissal, Guild classes will also be cancelled. If the RPS is on a delayed opening, the opening of the Guild will be at the discretion of the teacher. Please visit our website, www.rgoa.org, for messages regarding cancellations and delays. A voice message on our main phone line 203.438.8863 will also be posted. Please call the Guild prior to heading to class.
Waiver for Pictures Taken/Used
Ridgefield Guild of Artists occasionally documents classes using photographs and video for publicity purposes. These images are used in the course brochure, advertisements, and other publicity materials for the benefit of the Guild. Registration in a course at Ridgefield Guild of Artists assumes permission to photograph you and/or your artwork, and to use your image in publicity materials. Student’s names will be used in all photographs for the Ridgefield Press. If a student (adult or child), prefers not to be photographed, please notify the Guild office in writing via email to education.rgoa@gmail.com.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy
At Ridgefield Guild of Artists, we are committed to promoting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all individuals involved in our visual arts non-profit. We firmly believe that embracing diversity and fostering inclusivity is essential to creating an enriching and vibrant artistic community.
Our commitment to ensuring equal opportunities, representation, and respect for all stakeholders includes the following:
- Recognizing that diverse perspectives enrich our creative environment, we strive to represent and celebrate a wide range of cultures, backgrounds, races, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages in our programs and activities.
- We are dedicated to providing equitable opportunities for all artists, ensuring fair access to exhibitions, events, workshops, and resources, irrespective of their socio-economic background, continually striving to create a welcoming and accessible environment.
- We foster an inclusive space where everyone feels valued, respected, and safe, free from discrimination, and harassment, encouraging open dialogue, actively listening to all our members, visitors and collaborators.
- We have zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, including racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, or any other prejudiced behavior within our organization.
- We seek partnerships with diverse organizations and individuals to expand our impact and amplify all voices, striving for collaborations that share our DEI beliefs and our responsibility to inclusivity.
- We plan to regularly review and assess our DEI efforts to identify areas for improvement and ensure the policy’s effectiveness.
This DEI policy represents an important part of Ridgefield Guild of Artists’ mission and values. By encouraging these values, we aim to create a thriving visual arts community that celebrates the richness of diversity and empowers every individual to flourish creatively.
