FAQ

Looking for information about our program? Find it easily using the links below, or scrolling down this page:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is “Classesandworkshops.com”?

Classesandworkshops.com is an independent educational program, offering fun, affordable classes and workshops in writing, cartooning, filmmaking, dance, drawing,  painting, acting,  and other subjects.  We were established in 2002.  Our classes are for personal enrichment, not for university credit. That means you can focus on having fun and learning a new skill, without having to worry about about tests or grades.

Our philosophy is that everyone is creative. We all have an impulse to write, draw, paint and express ourselves in other ways.  Step-by-step training and instruction can help.

How long have you been offering classes in Seattle?

Our program was established in Seattle in 2002. 

Are these online classes, or held in classrooms?

Currently all of our classes are held in classrooms in the greater Seattle area. We are working on adding several online courses.  We are hoping to have them ready by the end of 2013.

Who are your instructors?

Current instructors include Nils Osmar, Jon Peck, Judith Skillman, Ron Reid, Tempest, Robin Walker, Theresa, and Nicole Miller.  Between them, they bring a wealth of experience in their respective subject areas.  We will be adding more classes and instructors in the future.  Information about instructors’ backgrounds, approaches and qualifications can be found on the class pages.

Where do your classes meet?

Most of them take place on the University of Washington campus in Seattle.  Some meet in other locations, such as the Phinney Neighborhood Center.  Plus, we recently added several classes which will meet on the campus of North Seattle Community College.  Driving directions can be found here.

What makes Classesandworkshops.com different from other educational programs?

• Our mandate is to deliver high quality instruction at an affordable price.  One way we do this is by minimizing bureaucracy.  Signing up is as easy as clicking on a  link, filling out your contact info,  and making your payment online.
• Another unique feature is that you can ALWAYS sign up for our classes.   (There’s never a “down time” between quarters when you have to wait for registrations to begin.) On the day after a class starts each quarter, registration becomes active (for that class) for the following quarter.
• For example: if a spring quarter session of a class begins on June 15th, the summer quarter session of the same class will become available for registration on June 16th (the day after the spring class starts.)  So you can always sign up for an upcoming class.
• We’re small and locally owned, and plan to stay that way.  We’re in it to offer classes and serve the local community.  
• Our program is growing as more people hear about us, and we will be adding additional courses in the future.  But our plan is to stay small and connected to the Seattle community.

Do you offer certificates for students who complete a course of instruction?

Yes, we have certificates in several subject areas.  You can either take classes individually, just choosing the ones that look fun or interesting, or take several courses in a subject area if you would like to work toward a Certificate.  Our certificate programs include drawing, acting, cartooning, filmmaking, painting and creative writing.  Working for a certificate can be a fun and satisfying way of demonstrating to yourself and others that you’ve accomplished a goal and learned key information related to a subject area.  If you’d like more information please click here.

How do I sign up for a class?

You can sign up online, or by phone or mail.  See our HOW TO SIGN UP page for more information.

How soon will I receive a confirmation, after signing up for a class?

You should receive a confirmation by email within a few hours of registering. If you don’t see it, please check your spam folder.  If its not there, call 206-420-1309 or drop us an email and we’ll resend it.

Do you offer financial aid?

No, sorry, at this point we don’t. If we should add that option in the future, we’d advise students to approach it very cautiously, since student loans can become so problematic for some students.  Our goal is to keep our classes affordable so there’s minimal if any need for loans to take them.

Why is there a discount for University of Washington students? (and not for other students?)

Many of our classes are co-sponsored by the University of Washington’s Experimental College, which is run by the ASUW (Associated Students University of Washington).  The ASUW’s policy is to offer a discount to UW students.  To be in line with this policy, we offer discounts for UW students.

Does a person have to be a University of Washington student to sign up for your classes?  Or are the classes open to everyone?

Our classes are open to everyone 18 or older.  You do not have to be a UW student to enroll in our classes.

What is someone is younger than 18?  Can they still sign up?

If a student is under 18, the parent or guardian should contact us before signing them up to make sure the class is a good match for the young student’s needs. To check on a specific class, call 206-420-1309 or email us. The classes are designed for adult students, but some also work for younger folks.

How old are most of the students in your classes?

It’s different every quarter, because anyone over 18 can sign up. But the ages tend to range from as young as 18 years old, up to past retirement age.

Why are there two fees for the classes? i.e, a course fee (tuition) and a registration fee?

All schools charge course fees and registration fees; we just list them separately, to help with our bookkeeping. The course fee, or tuition, goes to pay the instructor’s salary, room rental and equipment, and other costs. The registration fee covers office costs involved in processing your enrollment.

The course fee is refundable under some circumstances; the registration fee in not refundable unless your class is either canceled, or the dates or times are changed in a way that makes you unable to attend.  See our refund policy for more information.

Some classes say they’re “co-sponsored by the University of Washington’s ASUW Experimental College (EC).  What does this mean?   Is Classesandworkshops.com part of the U.W. or Experimental College?

If a class is co-sponsored by Classesandworkshops.com and the UW’s Experimental College, it means that you can either sign up for it through our website, or through theirs.  There are several advantages to signing up through our program:

1. Our registration fees are 20 percent lower.
2. Classes are listed here weeks earlier, so if you sign up through our web page you’ll have a better chance of getting into the class of your choice.
3. By signing up through our program you can take care of both the course fee and registration fee in one simple payment.  If you sign up through the E.C., they need to be processed as separate payments.
4. When you sign up through our program, the portion of your fee that is owed to the U.W. is automatically forwarded to them.  There’s nothing more for you to do, to sign up.
5. So it’s simpler, easier, and quicker, and saves you a few bucks, to sign up through our website.

Classesandworkshops.com is a Limited Liability Company operating independently in the state of Washington.  We are not part of the University of Washington or the Experimental College.  We just co-sponsor some classes with them. Note: about half of our classes are offered ONLY on our web page, not the EC’s.

How can I make sure that a class still has openings?

If a class is full, the TAKE CLASS links will be removed.  If the links are still there, it means there are still openings.

I’m an “arts” teacher, and would like to teach through your program.  How can I propose a class?

See the “proposing a new class” page.

Thank you for visiting the Classesandworkshops.com website.  Your thoughts, feelings and opinions are welcome.  We’d love to hear from you:  Who you are, what kind of art you’re doing or thinking about doing, what sorts of classes you’re looking for.  Feel free to drop us an email with any questions or thoughts.

- Nils Osmar, Director

About Nils
Nils Osmar’s home page