Adaptive Art Policies

Welcome

Welcome to the Stay Arts Adaptive Art Program! Our goal is to provide a safe, creative, and inclusive environment where participants can express themselves through art while building independence and community. The following policies help ensure a positive experience for all participants, families, and Stay Arts team members. By registering for the program, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to the following policies and expectations.

Our Commitment

Stay Arts is committed to maintaining a welcoming environment where every participant is treated with dignity, kindness, and respect. We ask participants, families, caregivers, and staff to contribute to a culture of patience and inclusion. Together, we can create a safe, supportive, and creative space where every participant has the opportunity to learn, connect, and express themselves through art.

Program Scope

Stay Arts Adaptive Art is a social-recreational arts program designed for participants who benefit from adapted instruction and individualized support in a small-group setting. Our teaching artists provide individualized accommodations within our classroom model; however, Stay Arts is not a medical, therapeutic, behavioral, respite care, or special education provider.

Our program does not provide:

  • Medical or nursing services

  • Medication administration

  • Toileting or personal hygiene assistance

  • Feeding assistance beyond routine reminders

  • Physical restraint or crisis intervention

  • One-on-one behavioral therapy

  • Continuous one-on-one supervision unless specifically arranged with Stay Arts

Enrollment & Placement

Enrollment begins with the Adaptive Art Intake Form. Class placement is determined after reviewing each participant’s age, support needs, staffing availability, and overall class fit.

Registration is confirmed only after Stay Arts has reviewed the intake information and invited the participant to enroll. Stay Arts reserves the right to recommend a different class placement or additional supports to help ensure a successful experience.

Behavior & Safety Expectations

Our goal is to support every participant through patience, flexibility, and positive guidance. We recognize that every participant communicates differently and may require individualized accommodations. To help maintain a safe and welcoming environment for everyone:

  • Teaching artists may use verbal redirection, visual supports, movement breaks, or other reasonable accommodations to support participation.

  • Families will be notified of significant behavioral concerns.

  • If a participant is unable to safely continue participating during class, a parent, guardian, or emergency contact may be asked to pick them up early.

  • Repeated behaviors that create safety concerns may result in a review of appropriate supports, changes in placement, or withdrawal from the program.

  • Stay Arts reserves the right to discontinue participation if the program can no longer safely meet a participant’s needs or if participation poses an ongoing safety risk to themselves or others.

Drop Off & Classroom Access

Adaptive Art classes are designed as drop-off programs to encourage participant independence, confidence, and engagement within the classroom community.

Parents, guardians, family members, and caregivers are welcome to wait in our front lobby or outdoor seating area during class but are not permitted inside the classroom unless prior approval has been provided by Stay Arts. Classroom observations or caregiver participation may be approved on a case-by-case basis when determined to be beneficial for a participant’s success.

Our teaching artists will communicate with families before, during, or after class whenever necessary and will always contact a parent, guardian, or emergency contact immediately if a participant is unable to safely continue participating. Parents, guardians, and emergency contacts must remain reachable by phone throughout the duration of each class.

Arrival & Dismissal Procedures

  • Ages 5-12 – Participants must be checked in and checked out by a parent, guardian, or authorized adult for every class.

  • Ages 13-17 – Participants must be checked in and checked out by a parent, guardian or authorized adult on their first day of class. Independent arrival and dismissal for future classes is permitted only if authorized by a parent or guardian during registration.

  • Ages 18+ – Participants are expected to arrive on time and check in with a Stay Arts staff member upon arrival. Participants must check out with the front desk before leaving the studio.

Attendance

Consistent attendance helps participants build familiarity with classroom routines, develop relationships with teaching artists and peers, and experience the greatest benefit from the program. While we understand that absences may occasionally occur, families are encouraged to attend all scheduled classes whenever possible.

If a participant will be absent, late, or needs to leave early, please notify Stay Arts as soon as possible by emailing hello@stayarts.org or calling (562) 774-2056.

Missed classes are not eligible for make-up sessions unless otherwise approved by Stay Arts. If a participant misses multiple consecutive classes without communication, Stay Arts may contact the family to confirm continued participation. In some cases, enrollment may be discontinued to allow another participant to enroll, particularly when a waitlist is in place.

Class Transfers

Class placements are carefully determined based on each participant’s age, support needs, staffing, and class availability. Requests to transfer to another Adaptive Art class may be considered if space is available and the requested class is determined to be an appropriate fit.

Cancellations & Refunds

Participants enrolled through Regional Center funding should notify both their Service Coordinator and Stay Arts as soon as possible if they are unable to participate in the program or need to withdraw.

For private-pay families, cancellation requests must be submitted at least two (2) days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. No refunds will be issued for for missed classes after the program has begun. Requests resulting from illness or emergencies may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Refunds outside of the standard policy may be issued as class credit at the discretion of Stay Arts.

Program Changes

Adaptive Art classes require a minimum enrollment and appropriate staffing ratios to operate safely and effectively.

Stay Arts reserves the right to cancel, combine, reschedule, or modify classes due to enrollment, staffing, facility needs, or unforeseen circumstances. If a class is canceled by Stay Arts, families will be notified as soon as possible and provided with available options, which may include a transfer, class credit, refund, or alternative placement.

Health & Illness

As with any shared public space, participation in in-person programs may involve exposure to communicable illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and other contagious illnesses. Stay Arts is committed to maintaining a healthy and welcoming environment for students, families, and staff.

Families are responsible for informing Stay Arts of any allergies, seizure disorders, medical conditions, emergency contact changes, or other information that may affect a participant’s safe participation.

  • Illness – Students should stay home if they are experiencing a fever, vomiting, or symptoms of a contagious illness that may put others at risk. If a student becomes ill during class or is unable to participate safely due to symptoms of illness, Stay Arts may contact their parent or caregiver and request that they be picked up early.

  • Masks & Hand Sanitizer – Face masks are welcome and encouraged for individuals who are at higher risk of illness or who prefer an additional layer of protection. Disposable face masks and hand sanitizer are available at Stay Studio.

  • Outbreaks & Notifications – If Stay Arts becomes aware of multiple confirmed or suspected cases of a communicable illness associated with a program, we will take appropriate precautions based on current public health guidance. Families and staff who may have been affected will be notified when appropriate, while protecting the privacy of individuals involved.

  • Additional Precautions – Stay Arts may implement additional health precautions, program modifications, or temporary class cancellations when necessary and will consult with public health authorities when required or appropriate.

  • Illness-Related Cancellations – If illness affects a student’s ability to attend or complete a program, please contact Stay Arts. Illness-related cancellations and enrollment adjustments may be considered in accordance with our Cancellation & Refund Policy.

Communication

Stay Arts values open communication with families. We may communicate with parents, guardians, Regional Center Service Coordinators, Independent Facilitators, or other authorized support team members regarding enrollment, attendance, support needs, participant progress, or safety concerns when appropriate.

Photo Release

Stay Arts may photograph or record classes for promotional purposes, including but not limited to, flyers, brochures, websites, social media, and advertisements. By participating, parents or guardians grant us permission to use photographs, videos or recordings of their child for these purposes.

Liability Waiver

While Stay Arts takes reasonable precautions to provide a safe environment, participation in art classes involves inherent risks.

By enrolling in the Adaptive Art Program, parents, guardians, participants, or authorized representatives voluntarily assume these risks and agree to release, waive, and hold harmless Stay Arts, its employees, volunteers, board members, contractors, and affiliates from liability for injuries, illnesses, property damage, or losses arising from participation in the program, except where prohibited by law.

In the event of a medical emergency, I authorize Stay Arts staff to seek emergency medical treatment for the participant if I or my emergency contact cannot be reached immediately. I understand that every reasonable effort will be made to contact me as soon as possible.

I understand that Stay Arts does not provide medical or accident insurance for participants and that I am responsible for any medical expenses, emergency transportation costs, or other related expenses incurred as a result of participation in the program.