Creating a Class
The guiding vision of CCAC is one of a dynamic and collaborative civic hub – a bustling hive of artistic activity and personal expression where people of all ages and backgrounds from all over Greater Cincinnati will come and go from morning until evening.
As a part of that mission, Clifton Cultural Arts Center (CCAC) has created a unique opportunity for individual community members, arts organizations, and other groups to offer classes here at CCAC.
We currently host classes from Miss Nancy’s Musikgarten, MamLuft&Co. Modern Dance, Art Academy of Cincinnati, and a variety of independent artists and educators. Class providers can choose to develop classes in one of two ways: as a pro-bono volunteer or as a tenant (renter). Our structure is unique in that it puts the creative control directly in the hands of our community educators. This enables CCAC to collaborate with all of our regional community experts to provide our constituents with the widest array of offerings possible.
Pro-Bono/Volunteer Taught Classes
CCAC is so grateful for our pro-bono class providers! Pro-bono providers generously volunteer their time and expertise to teach classes. Potential pro-bono providers meet with CCAC to discuss their class vision and determine whether or not the course is a good fit for CCAC. Providers then submit a more detailed class description and bio and work with CCAC staff to determine the day, time, and class fee.
Once their course is approved, the class structure and curriculum is up to the educator. Pro-bono class providers collect the student fees/donations during class and generously deliver them to the CCAC office. Offering a pro-bono class is a great way to gain teaching experience, share something you love, and support CCAC’s ongoing operations.
Renter/Tenant Taught Classes
Class providers can also offer classes at CCAC for profit by renting a classroom space at an hourly rate. CCAC staff meets with new class providers to discuss their class vision, learn about their experience, and answer any questions they may have. If the course fits within CCAC’s mission and structure, then CCAC will work with the provider to determine an appropriate space, rental rate, day, and time for the class and will request a more detailed class description and bio.
Rental rates are set to cover the cost of operating the space and are designed to be as affordable as possible. Class providers are responsible for determining class fees and the collection process; CCAC does not collect or handle student fees. Most classes meet weekly for 1 hour, but educators will determine what length of time makes the most sense for their course. CCAC offers four quarters of classes per year, each lasting ten weeks. Class providers are welcome to design their cumulative courses to last anywhere from three to ten weeks, or to run on an ongoing basis.
Sample Cost Structure
| Fee Per Student | # of Students | Total Revenue From Student Fees Per Qtr |
| $100 (1hr, 10 Week Class – 10 class hours) | 8 | $800 |
| $120 (4 hrs, 3 Week Class – 12 class hours) | 10 | $1200 |
| Rental Rate* | # of Hours Per Week | # of Weeks | Total Rent Per Qtr |
| $30/hr (classroom) | 1 | 10 | $300 |
| $30/hr (classroom) | 4 | 3 | $360 |
| Total Revenue From Student Fees | Total Rent Per Qtr | Fee Revenue minus Rent | Instructors Payment |
| $800 | $300 | $500 | $500/10 class hours = $50/hr |
| $1200 | $300 | $840 | $840/12 class hours = $70/hr |
*Rental rates subject to change.
Class Policies & Procedures
Class Providers are required to submit a completed class description form, contact information form, and completed rental agreement (contract not applicable for pro-bono providers).
Sign In / Sign Out Policy
All students enrolled in CCAC classes are required to sign in and provide contact information at the beginning of each CCAC class quarter. The sign in sheet is located on the front desk of each class location. Please be sure your students are aware of this policy!
Record Keeping
- Class Providers are required to provide CCAC with quantitative information about class participants. This can be done by accurately recording attendance records in the binder at the CCAC front desk or through another method arranged with CCAC. This data is used in CCAC grant applications, which in turn keeps tenant rental fees reasonable
- If this information is not submitted to CCAC by the end of the month, CCAC will invoice tenant providers for all regularly scheduled classes.
Class Cancellation – Full Quarter
CCAC allows new class providers the opportunity to offer 2 classes without the risk of incurring a cancellation fee:
- Cancelling within the first 2 weeks of the quarter will result in regular rent per class charged.
- Cancelling after the first two weeks of class will result in a charge of 1.5x the rental fee per class.
It is up to the class providers to communicate with CCAC about whether or not they will run the class.
Class cancellation – Individual Sessions
Once the quarter has started, should class providers need to cancel or reschedule their individual class sessions due to weather or personal circumstance they are required to notify both their students and CCAC.
Invoicing
CCAC will issues monthly invoices to tenant class providers.
With their signed contract, class providers are required to provide CCAC with a valid credit card number, with an expiration date equal to three months after the end of each quarter. Should an invoice go unpaid for 90 days, CCAC will charge the credit card for the total rent due, plus a 1.5% / month late fee.
Snow/Weather
- When hazardous road conditions are present, CCAC will cancel all daytime classes (held between 9am – 4pm). CCAC will decide by 12pm that day if the building will be open for evening classes (held 4pm – 9pm).
- CCAC Staff will e-mail all class providers by 8am when CCAC is closed for daytime classes, and by 12pm if CCAC is closed for evening classes.
- CCAC will update their website, voicemail, Facebook, and Twitter with this information.
- Class Providers may cancel their individual classes pending inclement weather. It is the responsibility of class providers to alert both students and CCAC Staff of class cancellations no later than 1 hour prior to the schedule class start time.
It is the responsibility of class providers to alert their students of class cancellations due to weather.
Support
CCAC is able to offer support for classes in the following ways:
- Listing comprehensive class information on our website
- Printing and distributing quarterly class brochures throughout Uptown neighborhoods
- Featuring new classes at least once through our social media outlets
- Sending out e-mail updates to our more than 2,700 person e-mail list promoting the beginning of each quarter.
- Providing table space for educators to display flyers promoting their courses
- Hosting an all-class recital after the Fall and Spring Quarters
CCAC is not able to advertise classes individually except through social media outlets. All of our materials include the full list of classes. In our experience, we’ve found that the most successful classes are also self-promoted by the class provider, and you’re encouraged to advertise your classes in any way you like. Networking and connecting with interested groups is the best way to make your class stand out and to promote registration. If you’d like additional consultation, please contact the Programs and Communication Manager for promotional strategies and a list of community calendars that are free to post to.