We hold a variety of workshops all year long, some on our own and some with partners. There is one thing in common with them all. We are entirely open to creative tuition. So, what is creative tuition you ask? At its most basic form, creative tuition is a financial model to keep our workshops accessible.
Creative Tuition works off a few basic principles:
- Pay what you can and a little bit more
- Value what you get
- Offer your skills
So, it is essentially a hybrid of bartering, PWYC and a self-reflection exercise.
We put a lot of careful consideration to how much we charge for our workshops, it is a calculation of time and effort put into planning, designing and facilitating along with the hard costs of supplies, food and room bookings. We are honoured when someone shows interest in our workshop but are not able to pay the full fee. This is where creative tuition comes into effect.
We ask everyone to consider a few things:
- How much do you think this workshop is worth to you?
- What are you willing to offer?
- What do you think you will gain?
And, we ask you to consider this carefully. If you are asking for others to give to you, you are likely a person who gives a lot too. This is a trend that is perpetuated through the community and someone is always losing. There are always people who take more than they give and vice versus.
We believe that this reflection process will return to us the participants that truly see a place for themselves in the workshop and will in turn be able to contribute what they have to offer to us and to the group in a way that is clearer because they have personally decided what their time is worth. This policy is not a hard and fast rule. However, we have seen a difference in participation from individuals who take the time to gather their thoughts and submit a proposal that is reflective of our work and theirs.