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workshops/demos

updated wed 22 mar 00

 

Charles G Hughes on mon 20 mar 00

------------------
The studio I work in is considering bringing in potters for demonstrations =
and
workshops. I am envisioning two types of programs, one where the Artist =
gives a
talk and shows slides and or pieces, then answers questions and demonstrates
their style of working, another where they would conduct a hands on workshop
over a 2 or more day period of time. I am looking for advice on how to =
structure
such events. I'd like to hear from anyone who gives or attends workshops =
about
your experiences and what would make the experience optimal. I'd like to =
know
about the costs, paying the artist, travel expenses, lodging, meals. From
attendees, what do you expect? For a two day workshop, I can't envision
bisqueing the work in time for it to travel. How does this work?? Do you =
bring
clay and tote green pieces home? Do you expect not to bring anything home =
but
knowledge? How many hours of the day do you expect to be in the workshop?

Thanks=21

Charles Hughes

http://www.thecreativeoasis.com

Paul Lewing on tue 21 mar 00

Charles G Hughes wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I'd like to know
> about the costs, paying the artist, travel expenses, lodging, meals.
Charles,
Terry Sullivan, from Nottingham Center for the Arts in CA asked a year
or so about what peoplecharge for workshops. Peoeple replied privately
to him rather than on the list, but he told me later that, while there
were individuals who were asking as much as $1000 per day, most people
who teach workshops were asking about $300 per day for one or two-day
workshops, and usually a bit less for a week, maybe $1000 or $1200.
Unless it's a state school, like a university, the teacher expects to ge
paid at the end of the class. The sponsor can reserve the right to
cancel the workshop if there's not enough people signed up. That
"enough" is worked out by the school and the instructor. The sponsor
should also expect to pay all the instructor's expenses- travel, meals
and lodging. Some teachers prefer to stay in a home, others in a hotel.
In either case, the sponsor arranges and pays for that. Sometimes
travel costs can be split between two or more schools if the teacher is
doing several workshops. This is something the sponsor can really help
with. The instructor should also be willing to answer questions from
prospective student, help by supplying photos, descriptions, and course
descriptions, and they should be specific, right down to paper cups and
extension cords.

From
> attendees, what do you expect? For a two day workshop, I can't envision
> bisqueing the work in time for it to travel. How does this work?? Do you bring
> clay and tote green pieces home? Do you expect not to bring anything home but
> knowledge?
It sounds like you're envisioning a throwing class here. In a two-day
class, it's hard to have it be hands-on. For that short a class, it's
better to stick to demo- one day of throwing and the other trimming and
assembling. In a week, it would be a stretch to get something dry,
bisqued, glazed and fired. Maybe if it's real hot and dry you could do
it. You really need two weeks for that. If the focus is raku or
glazing, them people can bring bisque and get it finished even in a
two-day class.


How many hours of the day do you expect to be in the workshop?
If it's demo/lecture six hours is a long time to talk, say 10-12, an
hour for lunch, then 1-5. That's grueling, especially for two days.
But if it's a hands-on week-long shot, the instructor is often not
talking so hours can be longer. Some places even give students
unlimited access to the studio during a workshop, but don't ecpect the
instructor to hang around more than eight hours a day.
And if your instructor is going to be around for a while, it's always
nice to lay on some kind of treat for them in the off hours. In my
case, I've really appreciated that Yankees game, the drives in the
country, a trip to the beach, or to a gym, or a racquetball game, visits
to museums, galleries, studios, tile installations, etc.

The sponsor's job is to get everything the teacher needs, then get out
of the way. The teacher's job is to let you know everything they'll
need, and the students will need, in plenty of time. The students' job
is to show up prepared. It should be great fun for everybody.

Paul Lewing, wishing he could be around to see the replies to this one.
But it's off to Denver tomorrow.