Holter Museum of Art Drawing Studio Guidelines and Class Etiquette
The Holter Museum of Art strives to create safe places of learning and engaging with the arts. The Open Drawing Studios are both a place of expression and privacy for the artist and the model. To ensure safe practices, the Holter Museum of Art is requiring the following conduct within drawing classes for all artists, facilitators, and models. Disregard of these rules will require the participants removal from the session. It is for the safety of the models and participants that these rules have been established.
ARTISTS:
Do NOT take photographs of the model, do not ask the model if you can take a photo. This is a violation and unacceptable, and even the request can make the model uncomfortable.
Do NOT touch the model, NO exceptions.
Do NOT invade the model’s personal space. This includes sitting on the model’s stand any time the model is on it. This also includes anytime you see the model before, during, or after the session, in any environment. Keeping a minimum 5-6 feet of distance is a good rule of thumb.
Do NOT speak with the model unless first spoken to! This applies before, during, or after a drawing session. Other than a polite “hello” in a hallway, or a “thank you” at the end of the session, there is no reason to approach or talk to a model – maintaining this invisible boundary is important to allowing the model to feel safe and comfortable in an otherwise vulnerable position. If a model is comfortable, they may approach you about your work, but this interaction should never be initiated by the artist. If you have a question, see the facilitator of your session.
Do NOT ask the model out on a date, or ask any personal questions. This is a professional and academic environment, and should be treated as such at all times. This is not a social environment for artists and models, this is working time for artists and the model is at work as well.
Do NOT ask the model for personal contact information, even in the case of seeking them for modeling work outside of the session. This is a professional environment and such pursuit goes against the boundaries in place for the model’s safety and comfort. If you are interested in working with a specific model outside of sessions, see the facilitator of your session.
Do NOT talk about the model or comment on their body or appearance. If you would like to compliment the models’ work, keep language in a drawing-sense rather than referring to beauty, and refer to the facilitator to convey compliments or to ask for guidance.
Almost all life drawing studio etiquette is based around respect for the model. Remember, the model is putting themselves in a vulnerable position for the benefit of the artists, so keeping models happy and comfortable is our first priority.
The model has the right to make their poses as they feel comfortable. Suggestions can be made to the facilitator, but the model will make the choice of how they pose and for how long. We have amazing models with bodies they are willing to share with us to learn from. Acknowledge the value of their presence and ability in choosing poses they know are best for them. Just as you know your body best and its abilities, trust models to know their own bodies and what is possible and comfortable for them to sustain in both short and long poses.
Please show the utmost respect for all models at all times.
What CAN you do? Draw! Paint! Create! Learn! Talk to other artists! Talk to your facilitator! Treat this as a learning environment – consider everyone participating with you to be a community member and treat them with the utmost respect! This will allow for everyone to continue to create and learn in a safe space.
FACILITATORS AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:
To make models as comfortable as possible with the room and the class participants. Anything/Anyone that makes a model uncomfortable will not be tolerated – artists may be asked to leave, temperature and music may be adjusted, lighting may be adjusted, models may take breaks as needed, models may make and choose their own poses, etc. If an artist is asked to leave, facilitators will take record for the program administrator.
To set up the studio space and ensure necessary precautions for privacy have been taken – this includes but is not limited to closing doors to the studio and cover windows as well as hanging up signage on the outside of studio doors alerting all to the Figure Drawing Open Studio.
Non-Artists are not permitted in the room – they may not join the class, pass through, or otherwise interrupt or participate in a session.
To pay the model – all payments to the model will go through the facilitator.
To keep time and use electronics/phones appropriately. Be aware of music choices. Keep personal phone business outside of class.
Be aware of surroundings and class activity, and helpful to all participants.
MODELS
Be present and on-time. Arrive a few minutes early. If something unexpected happens, notify the facilitator immediately so we can try to book another model.
Bring a robe or other cover-up to change into and use between poses and on breaks.
Be prepared. You know your body and ability best. Please come prepared with 1 or 2 long poses and 5 or 7 short poses. The facilitator is available to suggest and guide poses but will not provide you with a list of pre-determined poses.
Do NOT be conversational while modeling – speak to the facilitator as needed to communicate needs and questions, refrain from speaking to artists unless necessary.
Do NOT give out personal contact information. If an artist wishes to work with you outside of sessions, an administrator will inform you and you may respond directly to that artist or through the administrator. You are more than welcome to pursue modeling outside of our sessions! We love it! We ask that to help us keep safe and comfortable boundaries during sessions for both yourself and in consideration of other models, you refrain from directly sharing your contact information with artists during programming.
Ask before photographing and sharing an artist’s work on social media – always give credit to the artist by tagging or linking to their professional site/page/account.
EVERYONE
Be kind and polite, and all will be well. It is always safe to air on the side of ultra-polite and ultra-formal! Artists and models are vulnerable in this situation. Don't critique work unless asked, this goes for artists and models.
We are beyond grateful to our drawing group and our models. You are much appreciated!
