About Our Classes

 

How long is the class?

• The class is 1 hour with time included at the beginning and end for student socialization.

 

What is the format of the class?

• The class will begin with students being invited to catch up with one another and talk about what they’ve done in the past two weeks. We will move on to an introduction of what the classes’ main topic. The lesson will provide five educational points, followed by an interactive period where participants will have the opportunity to share what they've learned. There will also be some time allotted at the end of the class for students to socialize and freely interact with each other. There is an optional “Beyond the Zoom” activity for students to do on their own or with their families.

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How many kids are in each class?

• We have 10-12 students in each class to maximize our ability to provide them with ample attention and focus. Once signed up, you will be assigned specific dates to ensure we keep each class size small.

 

How do I attend the class?

• A recurring Zoom link will be sent via the email(s) given as part of the sign-up process.

 

What is the goal/philosophy of this class?

• Our mission is to provide an overview of the arts in a way that is relevant to teenagers today. We will teach our students how to recognize and appreciate various art forms in their everyday lives.

 

Is there any preparation necessary or homework given?

• No preparation is necessary unless specifically communicated in advance to print a worksheet or stencil. Some of our classes have an option to participate in a "Beyond the Zoom" activity to do at home for a deeper, hands-on learning experience.

 

What is the difficulty level of the material?

• Students do not need to have any prior art experience as it's a class for beginners.

 

Do I need to have certain materials prior to starting the class?

• At this time, there is no need for students to have any specific materials in order to participate in the classes. In the future, if a class will involve a hands-on activity, we plan on sending an Amazon gift card to the students and providing the Amazon links so they can order the necessary materials.

 

What does a student need for the first day of class?

• We ask that our students come with a positive attitude and a smile on their faces! We look forward to meeting our students and creating a safe and friendly space where they have the opportunity to meet and engage with other teenagers interested in learning more about the arts.

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Scheduling

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When are the classes?

• The classes are held every other Monday at 7pm local time.

 

How often are the classes and how long will they continue?

• Our classes are offered every other week and will continue through 2021 and beyond. :)

 

What happens if I miss a class/can’t attend every class on a regular basis?

• We prefer that our students attend class on a regular basis for consistency, but we understand that’s not always possible. Please email us ahead of time if you know a student will be missing class.

 

Students

 

Who can attend this class?

• Our classes are geared towards high school students with Down Syndrome.

 

Is the class just for Down syndrome or other students with special needs too?

• The class is initially geared for students with Down syndrome, but if you think a student could benefit from the class and the class content is suitable for the student’s abilities, then please contact us at lauren@vmalive.org. We’d love to have as many students as possible benefit from our interactive and fun art classes.

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Do I sign up by class or for the course?

• We prefer that students sign up for the entire course in order to provide them with the continuity necessary to build on the skills gained in the previous sessions. 

 

What information about our students will be shared publicly? 

• Upon signing up for the class, an authorization form will be sent via email that gives us permission to share recorded class sessions, students’ work, and students’ pictures. We will not use the student's full name; only their first name and last initial.

 

If a student misses class, can they watch it later?

• While we won’t be posting a video of the full sessions on the website, we will record each session and can send you a link to watch the recorded class.

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Donations

 

How much does the class cost?

• Our classes are free of charge, but we kindly request donations to cover the costs of running a nonprofit including technology, outreach, and legal and educational expenses. Our donations page offers donation amounts of $25, $50, $100, and $250, but to customize a donation amount, contact us at lauren@vmalive.org.

 

What forms of payment do you accept? Will I get a receipt of my tax-deductible donation?

• We are accepting donations through credit card, debit card, PayPal, and Venmo. 

• Yes, your credit card transaction serves as your receipt. At the end of the year, VMA will email you a tax-deductible letter for your contributions.

 

Join our Mission

 

What is the goal/philosophy of this class?

• Our mission is to provide an overview of the arts in a way that is relevant to teenagers today. We will teach our students how to recognize and appreciate various art forms in their everyday lives.

 

As a parent or teacher, what steps would I need to take in order to teach this class?

• We appreciate your interest in furthering our goal and look forward to you joining our team! If you are interested in starting a local chapter, please contact us at lauren@vmalive.org. We look forward to expanding Virtual Museum of Art in order to reach as many students as possible, in a fun and engaging way.