BCYS POLICIES

GENERAL (Students & Renters/Annual Members)

VISITORS

Building access is for individuals; We do not allow friends/spouses/children, etc, to attend class with you or hang out elsewhere in the building while you work in the studio. A violation of this rule will result in termination of your studio access privileges or Rental contract.

Students, Renters and Annual Members are encouraged to bring their visitors in for a tour of our building during Gallery/Public hours:

Tuesday-Friday* 10am-5pm 

*First Fridays till 8pm

Saturday 10am-4pm

Contact gallery@belgerarts.org with any questions or to schedule large groups.


CLEANING EXPECTATIONS

In a communal studio setting, all individuals must do their part to help maintain a clean and healthy environment. Individuals are expected to clean up any mess they made before leaving, and stations (be it at a wheel, work table or wedging table) must be cleaned after each use. Floors must be swept and mopped where you were working if made dirty. Any communal tools used (wareboards, hand tools, extruder, etc) must be cleaned and returned to their home after each use. 

ALCOHOL/CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

As part of our commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment for our artists, community, staff, and visitors, alcohol is not allowed on the premises unless provided at a sanctioned BCYS event. Controlled substances, regardless of legal status, are likewise not permitted at any time at any Belger Arts location.

NO DISCRIMINATION OR HARASSMENT POLICY

Belger Arts (hereinafter referred to as “The Company”)  is committed to providing a welcoming environment for all renters, annual members and students (hereinafter collectively referred to as “individual” or “individuals”). The Company does not authorize and will not tolerate any form of  discrimination or harassment based on race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

1. Objective

The Company has adopted this policy to ensure that all individuals can work in an environment free from unlawful harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Any complaint of a potential violation of this policy will be investigated and resolved. Any harasser will be told to stop and disciplinary action will be taken. Conduct prohibited by these policies is unacceptable on The Company grounds and in any programs which may occur outside The Company grounds, such as during trips, meetings and supported social events.

2. Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment (whether opposite-sex or same-sex) is strictly prohibited. Examples of the  types of behavior that may be considered sexual harassment in violation of this policy include but are not limited to the following: 

  • Sexually offensive jokes or comments 

  • “Sexist” comments or behavior (in other words, conduct that demeans other individuals  because of their sex, even if not vulgar, lewd, or sexually provocative) 

  • Physical assaults or other touching that is sexual in nature 

  •  Promising favorable treatment or threatening unfavorable treatment based on the  employee’s response to sexual demands 

  • Physical or electronic (which will also be considered a violation of the Use of the Internet Policy) displays of sexually oriented reading materials or pictures

3. Harassment Based on Protected Characteristics

Harassment based on protected characteristics is strictly prohibited. Examples of the types of behavior that will be considered harassment include but are not limited to the following: 

  • Jokes or negative comments about these characteristics 

  • Vandalism or “pranks” based on these characteristics 

  • Name-calling based on these characteristics 

  • Displays of reading materials or pictures containing negative material about these  characteristics

  • Using electronic avenues such as e-mail or instant messaging  (which will also be considered a violation of the Use of the Internet Policy)  to transmit messages, “pranks”, jokes, pictures or other material about these characteristics that is defined as harassment in this policy (this includes forwarding or saving such  material that has been sent to you by others) 

It is not a violation of this policy for employees, independent contractors, interns, residents, renters, annual members or students to discuss religion,  or to read or view religious materials, at The Company during non-working time. However, individuals  who do so should be sensitive to and respectful of the different beliefs (or lack of belief) of  others. Religious practices that interfere with job performance, excessive “preaching” that is  unwelcome to others, or adverse treatment of others because of their beliefs, different beliefs, or  lack of belief, may be considered “harassment” within the meaning of this policy. 

4. Reporting Discrimination or Harassment

The Company cannot resolve matters that it does not know about. Every individual has a duty to  immediately report discrimination or harassment so that The Company can try to resolve the  situation. You should report discrimination or harassment when 

  • You believe that you have been or are being discriminated against or harassed 

  • You believe that someone else has been or is being discriminated against or harassed 

This is true whether the alleged discriminator or harasser is an employee, a supervisor or  manager, or even a non-employee, such as a resident or vendor with whom the Company does  business. 

To report discrimination or harassment, contact BCYS Manager Lilli Powell at lpowell@belgerarts.org or BGA Manager Katie Hogan at khogan@belgerarts.org .

Once your report has been received, The Company will 

  • Conduct a prompt and thorough investigation 

  • Discuss the results with the complaining employee and, where appropriate, the action to  be taken 

  • Keep the investigation and results as confidential as possible 

  • If the complaint is verified, take appropriate corrective action, up through and including  termination

Additionally, no individual will be subjected to retaliation by The Company because they have  reported what they reasonably believe to be an incident of discrimination or harassment or  for participating in an investigation into an allegation of discrimination or harassment. If an  individual believes they are being harassed or retaliated against for having made good faith  complaint of discrimination or harassment, or for participating in an investigation into an  allegation of discrimination or harassment, the individual must report such retaliation to The  Company by immediately contacting Deputy Director Consuelo Cruz at ccruz@belger.net , so that the complaint of retaliation may be investigated and dealt with in an appropriate manner. No individual will be punished for bringing a good-faith report of discrimination or harassment to  The Company’s attention or for cooperating in an investigation.

EDUCATION SPECIFIC (Students)

STORAGE

Each Four Week class has an assigned shelving unit for your tools, projects, and clay bags to be kept for the duration of your class.

You will receive a ‘Class Wrap-Up’ email with specific instructions for removing your items off the shelf (the date typically being six days after your last class). 

*If you are signed up for a class the following month, you may leave your things BUT: consolidate, grab scrap paper (from the metal table in the kiln room) and leave a note with your name & specific class you will be taking. If you don't do this, your things will be discarded/donated.

OUTSIDE OF CLASS ACCESS 

Four Week classes come with access to the studio with the hours of: 

Mon-Thur 8:30am-9pm

Friday 8:30pm-5pm

Sat & Sun 10am-4pm

MISSED CLASS DAYS

Email your instructor to discuss what information you missed. Free make-ups are not included, but you can ask your instructor to do a separately paid for Private Lesson, if they have the time.

CANCELLATION POLICIES

Date Night:

  • If participants do not arrive within the first 10 minutes of class, they have forfeited the right to participate and a refund

  • There will be a $25 fee for cancelling or rescheduling within seven days before
    *MAX two reschedules per order

  • If you cancel day-of, you will not receive a refund

  • If you do not reschedule and do not show up to Date Night, you will not receive a refund

Four Week Classes:

  • If you need to change or cancel your class, there will be a $25 fee if it is within the three days before that scheduled class start date

    *MAX two reschedules per order

  • If you cancel day-of, you will not receive a refund

Private Lessons:

  • If you need to change or cancel your lesson, please do so with your instructor no later than 24 hours before your lesson and include studio@belgerarts.org in the email so we are made aware, or you will be charged a $25 fee 

    *MAX two reschedules per order

  • If you do not reschedule and do not show up to your lesson, you will not be refunded