BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR

Interested In Becoming An OAS Instructor?

The Oakville Art Society invites contact from qualified art instructors. We offer classes, workshops, and lectures in painting, drawing, mixed media, photography, and more in the Oakville area.  We look for quality fine art instructors, accomplished in their field and dedicated to sharing their skills, knowledge, and expertise.

If you are a professional artist with teaching experience and/or an art teacher, please contact us OASprogramcoordinator@gmail.com. 

All instructors are hired as independent consultants on an as needed basis, may be required to sign an instructors’ agreement with the OAS, and must present a current (not more than 3 years old) criminal background check if working with students under 18 years old.

Please submit the following information to our Program Coordinator (OASprogramcoordinator@gmail.com) 

  1. Current Resume / CV
  2. Your social media
  3. Art area(s) of strength:
    Watercolour – Acrylic – Oil – Drawing – Pastels – Photography – Digital Arts – Other
  4. Preference: class, workshop or lectures- classes are 4-8 weeks long –  workshops range from 3 hours to several days
  5. Basic outline / course description
  6. Materials list (or cost for materials in total, or per person)
  7. Level of difficulty- beginner, intermediate or advanced
  8. preferred dates
  9. preferred hours for workshops (or AM, PM , or EVE weekly class)
  10. Your hourly rate of payment (not per participant)
  11. Link to your website (if applicable)
  12. Images of work for promotional use
  13. Any additional information for our consideration

Oakville Art Society Guidelines & Expectations for Instructors

  1. Compensation for instructors contracted with the OAS is based on an hourly rate, commensurate with experience, and the ability to attract students to your course.
  2. Programs are listed on oakvilleartsociety.com and are advertised in our brochure, and on our social media. Instructors are encouraged to publicize their classes and recruit additional students independently.
  3. We reserve the right to observe classes, in full or in part.

  1. Provides studio space.
  2. Promotes all programs.
  3. Administers program fees.
  4. Provides liability insurance for class/workshop time as scheduled.
  5. Notifies students of programs’ status — running or not.
  6. Determines the maximum number of students based on accommodation.

  1. Agrees to teach the contracted program at Oakville Art Society on the dates and times specified.
  2. Provides a copy-ready materials list if required.
  3. Determines if a separate materials/equipment use fee is to be charged. If an additional fee is charged, instructors must provide a list of materials & equipment that students will receive for the fee. There is no reimbursement by OAS to instructors who choose to provide extras which are not originally included on itemized list.
  4. Provides all copies of handouts that may required for the class.
  5. Notifies registered students and OAS about changes in a class schedule due to unexpected circumstances like weather or illness preventing the instructor from attending.
  6. Agrees to leave studio(s) clean after any program. All supplies, tools and equipment must be returned to the storage areas and tables and chairs arranged neatly. Instructor will be given a cleanup and closing procedure checklist for the studio they are using prior to the first class.
  7. Secures premises prior to departure.
  8. Shows discretion and professionalism at all times in all matters pertaining to OAS.

The combined efforts of both the instructor and the OAS provide the most effective means to successfully promote and fill a class. To promote classes the Oakville Art Society will do the following:

  1. Distribute printed copies of program brochures.
  2. Share instructors’ bios on OAS website.
  3. Promote programs via email, social media, and print ads.

Instructors are asked to:

  1. Include his or her biography (3‐4 sentences) and résumé describing a background, experience, and interests, which qualify instructor to teach the program. These may be used for website bios and news releases.
  2. Provide photos of work to enhance the effectiveness of the website listing.
  3. Support promotion of OAS programs.

  1. Programs may be cancelled prior to the start date due to low enrollment.
  2. The instructor  will notify registered students and OAS about changes in a class schedule or cancellation due to unexpected circumstances like weather or illness preventing the instructor from attending as soon as possible.

In the case of a change to/or cancellation of class:

  1. The instructor agrees to teach a make-up class on the date designated in the contract.

  1. OAS pays by cheque for properly invoiced hours, as per the hourly rate agreement.
  2. Cheques will be issued within 7 days of receipt of invoice.

  1. Instructor agrees that he/she is not an employee of the Oakville Art Society, nor he/she entitled to any employee benefits.
  2. No deductions, withholding of any taxes, any other employee benefits will be made by OAS on behalf of contractor.
  3. Oakville Art Society shall be held harmless for any injury, loss, damages, or expense of any nature sustained by Contractor in the conduct of any class, workshop, or in the execution of any duties or obligations pertaining to this agreement.
  4. NO turpentine/linseed oil based solvents – NO open flames. The OAS prohibits use of all turpentine/linseed oil based solvents and open flames including candles, welding torches, etc., without express permission of the Program Coordinator.

If you do not have teaching experience, you may want to begin in a volunteer capacity, as a volunteer or intern at OAS. Assisting an experienced instructor is a great way to gain experience, determine your interests, and gain an understanding of art education. It can be listed on your resume. Volunteerism and internships are great ways to try it out and see if you really want to work as a Teaching Artist.