Policies

Please read over our policies below or download a Winter 2010 policy sheet in English and español.

Registration

Students of all ages - beginners to intermediate levels are accepted in our program. There are some exceptions for advanced level students. Arts For All is divided into three semesters: fall/winter - 12 weeks; winter/spring - 14 weeks; summer - 6-8 weeks. Enrollment is for the semester. At the end of the fall and winter/spring semesters, a combined recital/performance/art show and reception is held. Several week long morning camps are available during the summer for students age 6-12 years.

You may pre-register on our website, using email, by phone or through the US mail. On-site registration is the first day of the semester. If you pre-register and find you need to cancel, please notify us immediately. There may be people on a waiting list wanting your class space. Sometimes, students may enroll after the semester has begun.

Tuition

Class tuition is calculated by semesters: Fall - 12 weeks - $72. Winter/Spring - 14 weeks - $84. Every student enrolls for the semester. If students enroll after the semester begins, tuition is prorated. Each weekly class session is $6 when the semester cost is divided by the number of classes. Discounts are negotiated based on income/hardship and the number of students in a family enrolling. Some scholarships may be awarded. Each student who receives a discount commits to the entire semester (we need to: pay instructors, purchase insurance, run background checks, pay for the internet and phone, taxes, pay for advertising and more). If a student qualifies, payment plans based on need may be: two, three, monthly, bi-monthly or weekly for the entire semester. There are only a few exceptions: moving out of town, major illness or disability.

Refunds and Withdrawal

If a class is canceled due to insufficient enrollment, a refund is made. If a student needs to withdraw (for the above acceptable reasons) before the third week of the semester, the refund will be prorated. Students withdrawing after the 2nd week of the semester are financially responsible for the full semester fee. We expect students to notify us if they are not returning to class. Their lack of participation may affect the ability of the class to meet the class objectives. Accommodations may need to be made to the class based on the changing size of the class. Arts For All, Inc. reserves the right to cancel a class or workshop due to insufficient enrollment and to discontinue lessons/classes for any student who falls behind in payment.

Returned Checks

There is a $15 charge if your check is returned for insufficient funds.

Absences

We do our best to provide substitutes when a teacher is absent. If a site is closed/classes cancelled because of weather, the first and second days missed will be made up; this will therefore, extend the semester. Students are financially responsible for classes they are unable to attend. If students know they will be absent, occasionally arrangements can be made for the student to attend another class on a different day to make up for the absence. If this is not possible and a student plans to be absent, please contact the AFA office at 402-556-7821 or on our contact page as soon as possible.

Class Cancellations

Classes may be cancelled due to snow, ice, below zero temperatures, tornados or storms. During the school week, if Omaha area schools are closed at the beginning of the school day because of weather, our classes will be closed. If schools are closed at the beginning of the school day because of frigid temperatures, we will be open. The reason being, by the end of the day, temperatures will be warmer and students will be driven to our class sites. For Saturday classes, if the weather and roads are bad, the site may be closed. We will make every attempt on Saturday to contact you. This is one of the reasons we need an up-to-date phone number and email address. If classes are closed, there will be an announcement on the AFA telephone 402-556-7821. If we are able to reach the TV stations in time, cancellation announcements will be shown on local TV channels found at the bottom of TV screens. Our announcements may be on local TV station websites.

Sometimes, when bad weather begins after the school day has begun, and students are NOT sent home early or may go home at lunch-time, AFA may close classes even though the schools have been in session that day.

If you feel it is not safe to drive or be out in bad weather, stay home. Being safe is most important.