Arts Academy Policies

The UMHB Arts Academy exists to provide quality, innovative Arts instruction and experiences for all ages within a Christian environment, teaching skills and techniques that will enhance not only the lives of our students but, in turn, the quality of life within the community in which we live.

Please check our website regularly for current schedules, closures, holidays, and program information: UMHB Arts Academy.

Arts Academy closures generally follow the UMHB academic calendar. Typical closures include, but are not limited to: Labor Day, Thanksgiving Break, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Spring Break, Good Friday, and Memorial Day.

Private lessons are offered year-round and operate on an ongoing monthly subscription model. Lessons continue from month to month until canceled. Families wishing to discontinue lessons must provide notice by the 25th of the current month to avoid charges for the following month.

Group classes are offered in designated sessions throughout the year. Session lengths, schedules, tuition, and enrollment dates vary by class and will be published on the Arts Academy website and registration portal. Students are expected to enroll for and participate in the full session for which they register.

Summer programming may include camps, workshops, private lessons, and specialized classes. Summer offerings typically operate on a condensed schedule and are announced separately from regular academic-year programming.

Building: Presser Hall, University of Mary-Hardin Baylor Campus

Physical Address: 904 King St, Belton TX, 76513

Mailing Address: 900 College Street, Box 8012, Belton, TX 76513

Main Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Summer Office Hour: Monday-Friday, 8:00a.m.-4:00 p.m.

All Arts Academy participants will receive a UMHB Special Parking Pass provided by UMHB Campus Police. This pass permits parking in any campus spaces marked with yellow lines. Please ensure the pass is clearly displayed on your dashboard, above the steering wheel, with the expiration date visible.

Presser Hall Parking Lot (available for public use after 2:00 p.m.)

Parking Lot D (located behind Crusader Stadium)

Street parking along Moore Avenue

Email is the primary method of communication for the Arts Academy. Families should regularly monitor their email for important information regarding schedules, enrollment, performances, billing, closures, and program updates.

For general questions or assistance, please contact the Arts Academy at artsacademy@umhb.edu.

The student portal may be used to update account information, manage enrollments, schedule eligible makeup lessons, and communicate with instructors.

An initial deposit is required for each private lesson subscription and each group class enrollment.

• The deposit reserves the student's place in a lesson or class.

• The deposit will be applied toward tuition.

• Deposits are non-refundable

• Enrollment is not considered complete until the deposit has been paid.

All families must maintain a valid payment method on file. Accepted payment methods include:

• Credit cards

• Debit cards

• ACH bank transfers

A valid payment method is required for enrollment, waitlists, and recurring billing.

Private lessons are offered year-round and billed monthly based on the number of scheduled lessons each month. Months with five lessons are billed for five lessons, and months with four lessons are billed for four. Tuition is not charged for scheduled holidays or Arts Academy closures.

Monthly Billing

• Tuition is billed monthly.

• Charges for the upcoming month are posted to accounts on the 25th of each month.

• Tuition payments are due on the 1st of the month.

• Families may pay their balance before the due date or maintain a payment method for automatic processing.

• Enrollment in a private lesson reserves a dedicated lesson time with your teacher. Students remain enrolled in that lesson slot until they submit a cancellation request or request a schedule change through the Arts Academy office.

Cancellation of Private Lessons

Private lesson subscriptions continue until canceled.

To discontinue private lessons, families must provide notice by the 25th of the current month. Example: To stop lessons beginning in November, notice must be received by October 25.

• Requests received after the 25th will be responsible for the following month's tuition.

• Refunds are not provided for lessons already delivered or for deposits paid.

Holds

• Families may request to place their private lesson subscription on hold for extended absences (e.g., travel). While on hold, the student's lesson spot will be reserved. Holds cannot be reversed once they have been scheduled, so families should carefully consider this option before submitting a request.

Private Lessons

• Private lesson subscriptions are billed monthly.

• Charges for the upcoming month are posted on the 25th of the previous month.

• Tuition is due on the 1st of each month.

Group Classes

• A non-refundable deposit is due at enrollment to reserve a student's spot.

• The remaining tuition balance is due on or before the student's first class meeting, unless alternate payment arrangements have been approved by the Arts Academy.

Drop-In and Trial Classes

Drop-in lessons and trial classes may be offered when availability permits.

• Fees for drop-in or trial participation are due at enrollment.

• Drop-in and trial registrations are non-refundable.

Returned or Declined Payments

If a payment method is declined or an ACH payment is returned:

• A $25 returned payment fee will be added to the account.

• Participation may be suspended until the account is brought current.

Outstanding Balances

Students with outstanding balances may be denied enrollment in future classes, lessons, camps, ensembles, performances, or other Arts Academy programs until the account is paid in full.

Private Lessons Only

Makeup credits are available for private lessons only.

• Students must provide at least 24 hours' notice to receive a makeup credit.

• Lessons canceled through the student portal with at least 24 hours' notice will automatically receive a makeup credit.

• Makeup credits may be scheduled through the student portal and are subject to teacher availability.

• Makeup credits expire 60 days after the missed lesson. Make-up credits have no cash value, cannot be transferred, and cannot be converted into a monetary credit or refund on a family's account.

• Students may receive up to two makeup credits within a 30-day period.

• Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice and no-shows are not eligible for a makeup credit.

• Makeup lessons cannot be canceled or rescheduled. Missed or canceled makeup lessons are forfeited.

• Lessons canceled in advance may be removed from the schedule and will not be billed. Because no tuition is charged for these lessons, no make-up credit will be issued.

• If a teacher must cancel a lesson due to unforeseen circumstances, the teacher will notify the student or parent as soon as possible and arrange a makeup lesson at a mutually convenient time.

• All lessons and makeups are held in person on UMHB's campus. Virtual lessons are not offered unless otherwise approved by the Director under special circumstances.

Group classes and ensembles are not eligible for makeup classes, makeup credits, or refunds for missed classes.

Consistent attendance is essential for student progress and a positive learning environment. While occasional conflicts are understandable, students and families are expected to prioritize regular attendance.

Tardiness

• Lessons, group classes, camps, rehearsals, and events will end at their scheduled time regardless of a student's arrival time.

• Students who arrive more than ten (10) minutes late without prior notice may forfeit participation at the instructor's discretion.

• Habitual tardiness may be reported to the Director and may result in further review. Attendance Expectations

• Students are expected to attend all scheduled lessons, classes, camps, rehearsals, and events for which they are enrolled.

• Consistent attendance demonstrates respect for instructors, fellow students, and the learning process.

Excessive Absences or Tardiness

The Arts Academy reserves the right to dismiss a student from a lesson, class, ensemble, camp, or event due to excessive absences, repeated tardiness, or disruptive attendance patterns.

If a student is dismissed for attendance-related reasons, no refunds, credits, makeup lessons, or prorated tuition will be issued for the remaining portion of the lesson subscription, class session, camp, ensemble, or event.

Parents and guardians play an important role in supporting student success.

Observing Lessons

• Parents and guardians are welcome to observe lessons.

• For all Baby & Toddler classes, a parent or guardian must remain in attendance for the entire class.

• A teacher may recommend that a parent or guardian attend or not attend a lesson based on the student's instructional needs.

• When observing a lesson, parents and guardians should minimize distractions and allow the teacher to lead instruction.

• Parents and guardians are encouraged to take note of teacher recommendations and practice assignments to support learning at home.

To ensure the safety and well-being of all minor students, a parent, guardian, or other authorized adult must remain in the building for the duration of the student's lesson or class.

• Minor students will not be permitted to leave the building or wait unattended outside without a parent, guardian, or other authorized adult listed on their Arts Academy account.

• Parents, guardians, or authorized adults are responsible for picking up students promptly at the conclusion of their lesson or class.

• Students should be picked up directly from their lesson or class location.

The Arts Academy is not responsible for supervising students before their scheduled activity begins or after it has concluded.

Participation

• Students must receive teacher approval before participating in a recital.

• Participation is encouraged but not required.

Recital Registration

• Recital registration is completed by the student's teacher, who will submit approved performers and performance information for the recital program.

• Recital performance opportunities are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis based on teacher submissions and available recital capacity.

• While students may discuss preferred recital dates with their teacher, final recital assignments are determined by recital availability and scheduling needs.

• Participation may be limited by venue capacity and scheduling constraints.

• Once recital capacity has been reached, additional entries may not be accepted. Scheduling

• Families may not request specific performance times. While consideration will be given to students participating in multiple performances and households with multiple performers, final scheduling decisions are made by the Arts Academy.

• Performance order and scheduling are determined by the Arts Academy. Arrival Time

• Performers should arrive at least 30 minutes before the recital start time unless otherwise instructed.

Backstage Etiquette

• Families are not permitted backstage unless there is an emergency or prior arrangements have been made with the Director.

• Unscheduled backstage visits may be disruptive to students and staff. Event Expectations

• Students are expected to remain for the entire recital.

• Families are encouraged to stay for the full recital whenever possible.

• Audience members should be attentive and respectful during performances.

• To minimize distractions, entering or exiting the performance space should be limited to breaks between performers or pieces whenever possible.

• Students and families are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that supports a positive performance experience for all participants.

If a student is not yet ready to perform, they are encouraged to continue preparing and participate in a future recital. Students and families are also encouraged to attend recitals as audience members when not performing.

Dress Code

Students should wear attire appropriate for a formal performance setting. Appropriate attire includes:

• Dress pants

• Skirts

• Dresses

• Blouses

• Button-down shirts

• Other performance attire approved by the instructor

Not permitted:

• Shorts

• T-shirts

• Jeans

• Athletic wear

• Clothing with holes or tears

Students should wear footwear appropriate for performing on stage.

Outreach and community performances may take place at nursing homes, restaurants, art galleries, festivals, schools, churches, community centers, and other public venues.

Participation

• Students must receive teacher approval before participating.

Arrival Time

• Performers should arrive at least 30 minutes before the event unless otherwise instructed.

• Students must check in with Arts Academy staff upon arrival.

Event Expectations

• Students are expected to follow all instructions from Arts Academy staff and venue personnel.

• Students are expected to remain for the entire event unless prior arrangements have been approved.

• Audience members should be attentive and respectful during performances.

• To minimize distractions, movement through performance areas should be limited during performances whenever possible.

• Disruptive behavior may result in removal from the event and may affect future performance opportunities.

Public Venue Expectations

• Most outreach performances do not have designated backstage areas.

• Students should remain with their instructor or designated group unless released to a parent or guardian.

• Students and families should be mindful that they are representing both the Arts Academy and UMHB.

Dress Code

Attire should reflect the venue and occasion. Formal Venues Examples include art galleries, nursing homes, care facilities, churches, and similar venues.

Appropriate attire includes:

• Dress pants

• Skirts

• Dresses

• Blouses

• Button-down shirts

Casual Venues

Examples include restaurants, festivals, outdoor events, and community gatherings.

Appropriate attire includes:

• Arts Academy shirts (preferred when provided)

• Plain shirts

• Jeans or other neat casual attire

Not permitted:

• Short shorts or short skirts

• Athletic wear

• Clothing with holes or tears

• Clothing displaying inappropriate language or graphics

Students should wear comfortable footwear suitable for walking and performing.

**Representation of the Arts Academy

• Students and families are expected to represent the UMHB Arts Academy in a positive and respectful manner.

• Failure to follow performance expectations may result in removal from the event and may affect participation in future performance opportunities.

Weather, Venue, and Schedule Changes

• Performance dates, times, locations, and participation opportunities may be modified, relocated, postponed, or canceled as necessary.

• Families will be notified as soon as reasonably possible of any event changes.

• Participation opportunities may vary based on venue capacity, event requirements, and instructor recommendations.