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help! we need info on public studio set-up

updated fri 13 sep 02

 

Mary Lynch on tue 10 sep 02


Dear Clayarters,

Seems like I'm asking for a lot of help these days . . . but Clayart is such
an incredible resource and I could really use some expert guidance here . .
. .

I am looking for information to share with the administrators in our city
Parks and Recreation Department regarding the organization
of our ceramics studio. They are interested in finding out how
similar organizations determine charges for clay and other materials sold to
students, fees for classes and open studio use, charges for firing work
(electric kilns), and
other associated expenses. We would also appreciate any information about
qualifications, pay scales and benefits (such as studio use) for
instructors, studio assistants, or other personnel associated with the clay
studios.

I understand that this is no small request - but we are starting practically
from scratch and the administration is unfamiliar with this field. There is
no other comparable facility in this immediate area and we are hoping that
others who already have "been there, done that" can help point us in the
right direction, either with their own information or to sources that were
of help to them.

I feel like I'm asking for a lot here, so anyone who can be of help may want
to contact me off-list.

Thanks in advance for any help or resources that you can share with us to
get us off to a good start,
Mary in TN

Tim on tue 10 sep 02


If someone's going to take a stab at this, I'd love to hear the answer as
well. I've been doing the same thing. So please either share it with the
list or copy me on it too!

- Tim Miller -

-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of Mary Lynch
Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2002 6:35 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Help! We need info on public studio set-up


Dear Clayarters,

Seems like I'm asking for a lot of help these days . . . but Clayart is such
an incredible resource and I could really use some expert guidance here . .
. .

I am looking for information to share with the administrators in our city
Parks and Recreation Department regarding the organization
of our ceramics studio. They are interested in finding out how
similar organizations determine charges for clay and other materials sold to
students, fees for classes and open studio use, charges for firing work
(electric kilns), and
other associated expenses. We would also appreciate any information about
qualifications, pay scales and benefits (such as studio use) for
instructors, studio assistants, or other personnel associated with the clay
studios.

I understand that this is no small request - but we are starting practically
from scratch and the administration is unfamiliar with this field. There is
no other comparable facility in this immediate area and we are hoping that
others who already have "been there, done that" can help point us in the
right direction, either with their own information or to sources that were
of help to them.

I feel like I'm asking for a lot here, so anyone who can be of help may want
to contact me off-list.

Thanks in advance for any help or resources that you can share with us to
get us off to a good start,
Mary in TN

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Penni Stoddart on wed 11 sep 02


Mary (and others)
I will put my reply to each query in caps not because I am yelling but to
make it easier to tell the question from the answer.
To start with I am a member and the secretary for the London Potters Guild
in London Ontario Canada.

>charges for clay and other materials sold to students
WE DO NOT NECESSARILY SELL CLAY TO STUDENTS BUT WE DO HAVE UP TO 60 STUDIO
MEMBERS WHO USE OUR STUDIO. CLAY CHARGES FOR THEM ARE $20 PER BOX OR $5 PER
BAG OF RECLAIM (WITH NO GUARANTEE HAS TO THE WEIGHT OF THE BAG) OTHER CLAY
ORDERS (CLAY, TOOLS OTHER MATERIALS) CAN BE MADE VIA THE GUILD ON A MONTHLY
BASIS FOR A NOMINAL DELIVERY FEE - CERTAINLY LESS THEN IF ORDERING ON OUR
OWN
>, fees for classes
$125 INCLUDES MATERIALS AND FIRING FOR A 10 WEEK COURSE, MEMBERS FEE IS $75
BUT THEY MUST PROVIDE THEIR OWN CLAY AND PAY FOR FIRING ACCORDINGLY (SEE
BELOW)
>and open studio use,
$50 MEMBERSHIP FEE PLUS $75 FOR STUDIO USE/MEMBERSHIP
>charges for firing work
WE CHARGE $0.75 PER POUND OF FINISHED PRODUCT. THIS MEANS THAT IF YOU ARE
FINISHED AT A BISQUE STAGE THEN YOU WEIGH AND PAY THEN. IF A GLAZED PIECE IS
THE FINISHED PIECE IT IS WEIGHED AND PAID FOR. YOU DO NOT PAY TWICE. ONLY
FOR FINISHED WORK LEAVING THE STUDIO.
> other associated expenses.
WORKSHOPS, SPECIAL PROGRAMS ARE ALL CHARGED A FEE FOR. THE BEST EXAMPLE I
HAVE IS A WORKSHOP THAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR STUDIO IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS. AN
OUT OF CITY POTTER IS COMING IN TO DEMO HIS WORK ETC. THE GUILD IS CHARGING
$25 FOR MEMBERS AND $40 FOR NON MEMBERS. I CAN'T THINK OF ANY OTHER EXPENSES
RIGHT NOW. JUDGING BY OTHER GUILDS IN THE ONTARIO AREA WE ARE QUITE CHEAP BY
COMPARISON.
> qualifications, pay scales and benefits (such as studio use) for
> instructors, studio assistants, or other personnel associated with the
clay
> studios.
OUR TEACHERS ARE GENERALLY GUILD MEMBERS. SO FAR AS I KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN
WITHER ASKED TO TEACH OR HAVE OFFERED AND BEEN ACCEPTED. AFTER TEACHING MY
FIRST FEW CLASSES THIS SUMMER AT MY HISTORIC STUDIO IN OUR LOCAL PIONEER
VILLAGE I HAVE OFFERED TO TEACH AT THE GUILD. I WAS TOLD I COULD DO A
BEGINNER CLASS IF I WISHED BUT WILL HAVE TO WIAT UNTIL THE WINTER SESSION

LET ME ADD TOO THAT WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF RELOCATION. OUR STUDIO IS SMALL
AND WHEN CLASSES ARE GOING ON IT IS NOT ACCESSIBLE TO OUR MEMBERS. WE ARE
HOPING TO GET THE CITY ON LINE WITH THE IDEA OF AN ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTRE
FOR THE ENTIRE CITY. WE HAVE AN UMBRELLA GROUP WE WORK WITH THAT ENCOMPASSES
THREE LARGE GUILDS - OF WHICH WERE ARE THE BIGGEST AT AROUND 120 MEMBERS -
AND ONE OR TWO SMALLER GUILDS. OUR HOPES ARE THAT THIS UMBRELLA GROUP WILL
THEN GROW AS THE MAIN GROUP FOR THE CULTURAL CENTRE.

I HOPE THIS HAS HELPED AND IS NOT TOO LONG WINDED!!
~~~~
Penni Stoddart of Penelope's Pots
Now acting as PAST President,
Artisans London (Ontario, Canada)

I live in my own little world, but it's ok... they know me here