EDUCATION

Policies & Procedures.

General Information:

CAC’s office hours are Monday through Thursday, 10am-6pm and Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-2pm. Our Staff operate on a staggered schedule and may not be in the office every day.

The main entrance to the building can be found under a large blue awning. Please follow the blue signs around the parking lot when entering from Hammonds Lane.

In response to the ongoing pandemic, CAC has enacted our C.A.R.E.S protocol to keep instructors and students safe. Protocols may change based on updated advice from medical authorities.

Only currently enrolled students or those with an appointment will be admitted to CAC. No walk-ins are permitted.

Registrations and payments are handled by CAC. Minimum enrollment must be met before the class can begin. Instructors will be notified at least two days prior if classes are cancelled due to low enrollment or other circumstances.

CAC has a large MakerSpace and Ceramics studio with a variety of tools, machines, kilns, and materials.

Tuition Assistance Program:

The Chesapeake Arts Center is committed to making exceptional arts education opportunities accessible and affordable for our citizens. Thanks to support from Arundel Community Development Services (ACDS), Chesapeake Arts Center is able to offer tuition assistance to residents who live in Northern Anne Arundel County; especially Brooklyn Park, Glen Burnie, Severn, and surrounding communities; 25-75% of tuition assistance is available for qualifying Anne Arundel County applicants. Qualified middle school aged students may also apply to CAC’s recurring ACDS Teen Art Club. Specific eligibility is defined by communities identified as priority revitalization areas. For more information and qualification requirements, contact the CAC Main Office at 410-636-6597 or download an application below.

In the event a tuition assistance recipient is unable to complete the class, withdraws from the class without notice approved by the Education Director, or misses more than two classes during the semester, CAC has the right to deny any additional financial assistance. Consequently, it becomes the obligation of the recipient to repay any tuition.

Refund Policy:

A $12.50 non-refundable processing fee is included in each class tuition. When you register for any class, you assume a financial responsibility. To be eligible for a 100% refund (minus the processing fee), you must officially drop the class/workshop one week before the first class. 75% of tuition (minus the processing fee) will be refunded if requested less than one week before the start of the class. No refunds will be made after the second class.

No refunds will be made after one-time classes/workshops.

Refunds are not available for any Try It class unless the class is cancelled by the CAC.

To request a refund, you must call the main office at 410-636-6597 or email the Education Coordinator. If you stop attending a course but do not officially drop the course, you continue to be financially responsible for all tuition and fees. Students are provided a full refund when the class is cancelled by CAC or you can’t attend the new rescheduled date. Patrons may choose to receive a credit, good towards any future CAC class/workshop, instead of a refund.

Refunds are issued to the original method of payment unless you request a credit to your account.

Holidays and Inclement Weather Policy:

CAC is closed on the following days: New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Jr., Day; President’s Day; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day (and the Wednesday before and Friday after); Christmas Day. CAC is also closed for the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day; and over Easter Weekend (from the Thursday before Easter Sunday and Monday after Easter Sunday).

CAC Inclement Weather Policy

In case of inclement weather, patrons should check the CAC website at chesapeakearts.org for the most up-to-date CAC weather closings.  Closings and other news will be posted at the very top of CAC’s home page.  CAC will also post closings on our social media platforms, but since these may not be as timely, the CAC website should be the primary source of information on closures.  

Classes and Exhibitions:

CAC follows Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) inclement weather policy for CAC Education Class and Exhibit offerings.  However, there may be occasional exceptions to this policy, such as if the school system is already closed during a weather situation.  Weekday messages about classes will be posted on our website by 8 am. 

CAC Weekday Policy:

• If AACPS closes schools for the day, CAC will NOT have classes or Open Studio.

• If AACPS opens one or two hours late, CAC classes starting before noon are canceled; Open Studio will open at noon.

• If AACPS dismisses early or after-school activities are canceled, CAC will cancel classes and Open Studio at 3 pm.  

CAC Weekend Policy:

• CAC will post snow closings on our web site by 8 am on Saturday and 8 am on Sunday when inclement weather occurs during the weekend.  

CAC Theater Performances/Events:

• Cancellations or postponements are determined on a case-by-case basis and depend on the performance/event start time and weather conditions.

• Updates about performance/events will be posted on the CAC website at least 4 hours before the scheduled start time of the performance/event.

Student Behavior Policy:

CAC reserves the right to cancel or refuse the registration of a student in a class or workshop if participation by the student is deemed disruptive or interferes with the learning atmosphere and enjoyment of the class/workshop.

In order to provide students, visitors and staff with a supportive program environment, CAC will not tolerate any behavior that is disruptive of its programs.

Students are not to engage in any behavior that: Threatens the safety or comfort of any student, employee, faculty member or visitor, is a danger to themselves or any other student, employee, faculty member or visitor, or interferes with CAC’s ability to conduct classes, workshops, open studios, special events, or other programs. CAC has the sole right to determine whether the behavior is in violation of its Code of Conduct. Some examples of unacceptable behavior are: being present on the premises or in class under the influence of drugs or alcohol, sexual harassment, inappropriate touching, verbal abuse, physical violence or threat of physical violence, disruptive behavior in class which compromises the instructor’s authority, or interferes with other students’ ability to participate effectively, and damaging or destroying the property of CAC, other students, staff, members or visitors. 

Violation of the above may result in suspension or expulsion from Chesapeake Arts Center. Other penalties might include the forfeit of tuition and fees, financial responsibility for any damage caused, parental notification, and being sent home at the parent’s expense.

Nondiscrimination:

CAC does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

CAC is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Please direct any questions concerning CAC’s nondiscrimination policies to info@chesapeakearts.org

CAC is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations and will accommodate patrons' needs upon request.

Please reach out to our Education Director for more information.

Code of Ethics:

CAC adheres to the highest legal and ethical standards applicable in our business. Our business is conducted in strict observance of both the letter and spirit of all applicable laws and the integrity of each staff is of utmost importance. Please contact the CAC Executive Director with any concerns or questions.

Grievance Procedure:

Persons who have experienced difficulties with service or who wish to question a CAC policy can discuss those concerns with the Executive Director and/or member of the CAC staff. The Executive Director and/or CAC staff will endeavor to resolve issues as quickly and fairly as possible. If an informal meeting with the Executive Director and/or CAC staff does not settle the complaint, a patron may submit a formal grievance in writing to the Executive Director to start a grievance process. Please contact the CAC Executive Director directly.

Photograph Release:

Photographs are routinely taken at all CAC classes, studios, workshops, performances, and events. These images are used for marketing purposes only, and may appear in CAC's print or digital communications or other marketing materials. All registered and attending students/patrons authorize CAC to use their image, related to the educational mission of the center, without compensation. Filming or photography within the galleries, theaters, or other spaces within the facility is prohibited unless approved by CAC or by the presenting organization and/or the artist.  

Please notify CAC if you wish to attend but not have your picture taken or image used.

Waiver of Liability, and Indemnity Agreement:

Upon entering Chesapeake Arts Center or participation in Chesapeake Arts Center programing, you acknowledge the contagious nature of certain bacteria and viruses, including, without limitation, COVID-19, and voluntarily assume the risk that you may be exposed to or infected by such bacteria or viruses by entering into Chesapeake Arts Center and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability or death. You understand that the risk of being exposed to or infected by COIVD-19 at Chesapeake Arts Center may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of yourself and others, including, but not limited to, Chesapeake Arts Centers employees, volunteers, and program participants and their families. You voluntarily agree to assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury to yourself (including but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense of any kind, that you may experience or incur in connection with attendance at Chesapeake Arts Center or participation in Chesapeake Arts Center programing.

By registering for a class, you hereby agree with the Chesapeake Arts Center, Inc. (CAC) to the following. In connection with your participation in the CAC program (“Program”), you understand and acknowledge the nature and extent of the activities that will be involved in the Program and assume the risk inherent in such activities on behalf of yourself and any minor/children. You voluntarily waive any and all claims, costs, liabilities, expenses (including attorney’s fees), and judgments against CAC, its directors, officers, employees, servants, subcontractors, and agents and hereby release, excuse and discharge CAC, its directors, officers, employees, servants, subcontractors and agents from all claims, costs, liabilities, expenses (including attorney’s fees), and judgments which may arise out of my participation in the Program and all aspects attendant thereto. You further agree to indemnify and hold CAC, its directors, officers, employees, servants, subcontractors, and agents harmless from any and all claims, damages, actions, liabilities, expenses (including attorney’s fees) and judgments that may arise out of my participation with the Program.

CAC is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your donation.

Confidentiality:

The protection of confidential business information is vital to the interests and success of CAC. CAC considers certain information to be confidential and/or proprietary. Such confidential information will not be communicated or disclosed, purposefully or inadvertently, without proper authorization from the Executive Director.