General

What age ranges are the classes at the Brentwood Art Center (BAC)?
We offer classes for adults, teens and children (starting at age 3.5).

See below under the Kids Classes heading for a full description.

What is the average class size?
For children, ages 4-5 years and 5-6 years, the maximum size is 12 students. For classes with the age range of 6-8 years through adults, the average class range is 13-14 students.

Where are you located?
We are located at 13031 Montana Avenue on the corner of Montana Avenue and 26th in Los Angeles (on the Los Angeles/Santa Monica border).

Click here for directions to the BAC.

What are your office hours?
Our office hours are on the “contact us” page (click below)

Click here for specific office hours.

After office hours, you may always leave a message on our voicemail, and we will get back to you shortly.

Where can I park?
We have a small parking lot that is located at the back of the school (entrance on 26th street). There is street parking in the surrounding neighborhood. As a small business located in a residential community, we rely on the courtesy of our students when utilizing street parking so as to not block residents’ driveways, cause damage to private property or to otherwise impede access to residents’ homes. Also, please do not move recycling and/or trash bins to park your car on the street.

Please be aware of the following restrictions on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays:

	Mondays
	9-11am: East side of 26th Street
	10am-Noon: South side of Montana Ave
	Thursdays
	Noon-2pm: North side of Montana Avenue
	Fridays
	1-3pm: West side of 26th Street

Are your teachers professional working artists?
The majority of our teachers are working artists who, aside from teaching, produce their own work. Many have gallery representation and exhibit regularly.

Click here for a full listing of our faculty.

I like to travel and have a sporadic work schedule. Do you have any way of addressing that?
We offer the option of doing Pay-Per-Visits (PPVs), space and curriculum permitting. You must meet the prerequisites for the class you are interested in as well as have the appropriate supplies. As long as there is space in the class, you can pay per visit, with a $5 upcharge per class. PPVs must be scheduled with the front desk ahead of time so that we can prevent classes from being over-booked. Please do not “show up” at a class without previously scheduling and confirming a PPV in a particular class as there is limited space and enrollment in all classes.

Continued availability of PPVs cannot be guaranteed; therefore, if your space in a particular class is important to you, we recommend enrolling and utilizing our absence and make-up policy (see make up policy below).

If a PPV is scheduled but not attended nor cancelled with a minimum of 24 hours notice, the student is still responsible for the class tuition.

How can I automatically pay my bill each month?
Many of our students have requested automatic payment via their credit cards each month. If you would like us to automatically charge the tuition to your credit card each month, please download and complete the Automatic Payment PDF Form, and fax or mail it to us. You may also choose whether you wish to receive a copy of your bill for review (or not) each month 10 days prior to your card being charged on the 25th of the month.  (click here to download form)

Artist: Deborah Gero	Artist: Deborah Gero	Artists: Deborah Irmas

Registration & Enrollment

What do you recommend for an adult or teen who is an absolute beginner?
We recommend a Drawing Fundamentals class to teen or adult students who are brand new to art or who have not taken an art class in several years. This class allows the student to explore the fundamental concepts of drawing such as line, shape, form, volume, spatial relationships, and perspective while working with a variety of drawing materials. In addition, Drawing Fundamentals (or its equivalent) is a prerequisite for many of our other classes. Other options for beginners are Beginning Figure Drawing, Art of Color, Figure Sculpture, Introduction to Abstraction, and Photography. Classical Painting Fundamentals or Painting Fundamentals could also be taken; however, Drawing Fundamentals is strongly recommended before taking either of these courses.

Can I use my other art experience and courses as my prerequisites?
Your past experience may be discussed with an Advisor at the front desk to see if it would fit our prerequisite standards. In some instances, we will request that you provide images or originals of your previous work to assist us in determining if you have met the prerequisite(s) and to help us place you in the appropriate class for your skill level and interests.

Are supplies included in the class tuition?
The Brentwood Art Center provides supplies for most of the children’s classes as well as a few of the adult classes. However, most of the teen and adult classes require students to provide their own supplies; a supply list is provided at the time of registration.

Does the Brentwood Art Center sell art supplies?
The BAC sells a limited amount of basic drawing supplies including charcoal, pencils and erasers. Our front desk may assist you with recommending art stores.

What is the difference between “continuing” and “session” classes?
Continuing Classes
All courses are continuing classes with the exception of session classes (see below). Most continuing classes begin mid-September and continue through mid-June. Students may enroll in continuing classes at any time during the year, space and curriculum permitting. The tuition listed by each class is based on a four-week month and is adjusted during months with holidays or a varying number of weeks. Students are billed prior to each new month with tuition being due by the first of that month. Students or parents of children wishing to withdraw from class must notify the office at least one week prior to the beginning of a new month in order to avoid incurring new tuition charges. Refunds are not possible after the first of the month if a student withdraws within that month.

Session Classes
Session classes run for a specific number of weeks. These classes are paid for in advance, and the student enrolls for the entire course. All summer classes are considered session classes.

When do your classes “begin”?
Continuing Classes
Many of our classes are continuing classes which means you can begin at any time as long as there is space in the class and the curriculum permits. Most of these continuing classes begin mid-September and will be held continuously through mid-June of the following year; we also offer a 10-week summer session. Students are sometimes concerned that they are not “starting” with everyone if they begin a class after the mid-September “start” of the class. However, by offering continuing month-to-month classes, a great deal of flexibility is offered for students to begin and stop enrollment as their schedule and interests permit. Furthermore, our exceptional faculty are accustomed to the enrollment policies of our continuing classes and are very adept at welcoming in and orienting new students during the academic year. The instructors will familiarize themselves with your skill level and background and begin your instruction accordingly. (See above question for a full description of continuing and session classes and the differences between the two).

Session Classes
Our session classes, which meet for a specific number of weeks, have exact beginning and ending dates. Please see the Schedule of Classes for the semester you are interested in for specific dates. Session classees usually have very sequential lesson plans with each consecutive week building on the previous week’s instruction. Therefore, enrollment is usually restricted after the second or third week because enrollment after this time can put the student, their classmates and the instructor at a disadvantage based on the extra attention needed to “catch students up”. However, some session classes are able to accomodate “open enrollment” as long as there is space in the class. Please see the Schedule of Classes for the semester you are interested in for specific details. (See above question for a full description of continuing and session classes and the differences between the two).

How come one class is more expensive than another?
“Per class” prices vary depending on the number of hours the class is in session, whether supplies are included, and whether there is a model. Furthermore, our pricing is separated between continuing andsession classes. Session class tuition for classes held from September – June is listed with an asterisk (*) next to the tuition amount. This amount represents the tuition for the full number of weeks the class will be held. All summer classes are considered session classes and, therefore, no asterisk is shown. Usually, the “per class” price for classes with a similar subject is the same amount, but for a session class the amount is higher because you enroll for the full class and pay the tuition in full at least two weeks before the start of class. For example, a continuing painting workshop class is $260 per 4-week month (which equals $65/class) while a Painting Fundamentals session class which meets for 10 weeks in a row is $650 for the full class (which also equals $65/class).

(Please see above for a complete explanation of the difference between a “continuing” and a “session” class.)

Do I have to enroll from September through June?
No. The Brentwood Art Center offers two types of classes: continuing or session classes.

For continuing classes, students may enroll at any time, space and curriculum permitting. Students are billed prior to each new month and, if the student wishes to withdraw, they must notify the office at least one week prior to a new month in order to avoid incurring new tuition charges.

For session classes, the course runs for a specific amount of weeks (usually 8-13 weeks). These classes are paid for in advance, and the student enrolls for the entire course.

What is your policy if I need to stop my enrollment?
For continuing classes, if a student wishes to withdraw from a continuing class they must notify the office at least one week prior to the beginning of a new month in order to avoid incurring tuition charges for that new month. If a student wishes to withdraw from a session class, the Center will refund all monies paid for session classes, except the non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, if a student cancels at least four business days prior to the first class meeting; 80% of the tuition will be refunded if cancellation occurs at least four business days prior to the second class meeting; 70% of the tuition will be refunded if cancellation occurs at least four business days prior to the third class meeting. No refunds are possible thereafter. In all refund instances, including Day Camps, a minimum of the non-refundable, non-transferable deposit will be retained.

Kids Classes

What age ranges are the classes?
Mixed media classes for children start at 4 years of age, with drawing and painting classes beginning at age 6. Our children’s classes are structured by age so that students will have comparable levels of motor skills, manual dexterity, attention spans, social skills and interests (i.e., 7-9 yrs or 8-11 yrs). We also have more structured drawing classes for 9-12 year olds and 12-15 year olds. In addition, we also offer a wide variety of classes for teens and adults. Students 16 years and older may also take adult classes.

What is the average class size of your kid’s classes?
For children, ages 4-5 years and 5-6 years, the maximum size is 9 students. For classes with the age range of 6-8 years through teen, the average class range is 12-13 students.

Can my 3-year-old take the 4-5 year mixed media classes?
No. Our classes start at 4 years old, and we feel any child younger than that should be allowed to play and experiment freely with artistic materials, instead of being put into a more structured class. At 3 years or younger a child is at a different developmental level than a four or five year old. Further, there is a significant difference between a 3 year old and a 4 or 5 year old’s attention span, motor skills, manual dexterity, and emotional level. It can be hard for the younger child when they compare themselves to the abilities of 4 and 5 year olds. These differences in ability and temperament can also be difficult for the teacher.

For your kid’s classes, what is the difference between “mixed media” and “drawing and painting”?
Our “mixed media” classes provide the students with a variety of materials to work with. The teachers create projects that incorporate different techniques and mediums in both two and three dimensions, including sculpture and collage. Our “drawing and painting” classes allow for the students to focus on just two-dimensional art-making techniques.

Do you offer Day Camps?
Yes. We offer Day Camps during the summer and a couple of days during the Winter Break. We do not offer Spring Break Camps due to the varying schedules of the local schools. We have 5 sessions of summer camps that are two weeks long and meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a total of 4 meetings or Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for a total of 6 meetings; camps for 5-6 year olds meet Tuesdays and Thursdays or Mondays and Wednesdays for a total of 4 meetings.
Is there a sibling discount?
For children 18 years and under, when two or more siblings are enrolled in classes at the same time, each child receives a reduction of 10% of their tuition. If four or more children are enrolled at the same time, each child receives a reduction of 15% of their tuition.
Click here for a full explanation of our Summer 2012 Day Camp program.

Absence & Make Ups

What if I have to miss a class?
We have a make-up policy that you can utilize (described below).

Make-up Policy

Refunds or credit cannot be given in the case of absences and in no event may missed classes be deducted from tuition payment. However, students who notify the office, not the instructor, 24 hours or more in advance of an absence will receive a make-up class as a courtesy. Unforeseen circumstances that prevent students from giving 24-hour notice cannot be accommodated.

Students may use make-ups in appropriate alternate classes, excluding the class(es) they are enrolled in, space and curriculum permitting. Students who are currently attending classes have priority to schedule and attend “gold” make-ups. If a gold make-up class is scheduled but not attended nor canceled with a minimum of 24 hours notice, the make-up is then forfeited. If you are not currently enrolled, you may call 24 hours before the start of a class to schedule a “silver” make-up; there are no cancellations for silver make-ups and, if one is scheduled but not attended, the make-up is then forfeited. Make-ups expire one year from the date of the original absence and must be scheduled with the office, not the instructor.

How do I use my make-ups?
Review the schedule of classes and identify classes that you would like to use your make-ups in. You must meet the prerequisites for the make-up classes as well as have the appropriate supplies. Then, call the front desk and let the staff know which classes you are interested in and the dates that you are available for make-ups. Make-ups will be scheduled immediately, if possible. If not, your name will be placed on a list, and you will be called as soon as a space opens up. The more options you can give for make-up requests the better the chances of being able to complete a request. You must schedule make-ups with the front desk. Please do not “show up” at a class without previously scheduling and confirming a make-up in a particular class as there is limited space and enrollment in all classes.

What is the Creative Edge Program?

If you would like to further explore your creativity, the Creative Edge is for you! As a student of the BAC, you can now take unlimited art classes concurrently during the period you are enrolled. There is no additional fee to participate in this program. It is completely free to BAC students. Along with the recently created Gratitude Program, this is another phenomenal benefit of being a BAC student. The BAC is truly a community school of fine art that is dedicated to deepening your artistic experience and your Creative Edge.

Just call a maximum of 24 hours in advance of the particular class you would like to attend (and for which you have the skill level and supplies). If there is space available and the curriculum permits, you are welcome to reserve your space and attend the class. Program begins January, 2012.

Can I end my enrollment at the end of April, and then use my make-ups in May?
It depends…see below.

Yes
The make-up program involves significant resources to organize, maintain, schedule and track, and the program is a courtesy to our students. Enrolled students have priority to use make-ups while they are enrolled. Once enrollment ends, as long as you have live, active (non-expired) make-ups, you may call up to 24 hours before the start of the class you are interested in. If there is space available, you may schedule a make-up. Make-ups expire one year after the original excused absence.

No
All of the above conditions apply. You would not be guaranteed a make-up space, as make-up spaces are never guaranteed. They are always filled on a space-available basis. Therefore, if you call 24 hours before the start of the class you are interested in but there is no space available, then a make-up could not be scheduled. Simply keep calling (up to 24 hours in advance) of the class(es) you want until you are able to schedule all of the make-ups you want and have available.