WAC Teaching Agreement/Contract

Instructor Details/Experience 
Please tell us about your experience and what you would like to teach. 

Instructor Handbook Acknowledgement

Read the Instructor Handbook (external link; opens in new tab) before proceeding.

Student Communication:

1. Instructors will alert staff if they need to cancel or reschedule a class, before sending a memo to students.
2. Schedule changes for an existing course's upcoming class should be communicated in person during the class and via memos as a reminder. 
3. If the Instructor must cancel on the day of a scheduled class meeting, the Instructor will notify the Arts Education Admin or WAC director immediately so that we may send students a notification text and memo.
4. Instructors are prohibited from using student contact information to solicit students outside of Watauga Arts Council classes and programs.
   
   Students Automatically receive: 
5. Email confirming class registration. - Instructor may provide a custom email for their class as the autoresponce if desired. Must be given before the class is posted.
6. Thank you for an email within three days following the last class meeting along with a request to rate the class. 

Building Access And Care

• Opening/Closing: The Instructor will be given a personal code to use for building entry during class times. Instructor is responsible for opening and closing the the building if their class occurs before or after office hours. Thermostates can be adjusted according to need (one in classroom and one in hallway) Doors should be locked and lights turned off upon exit. Upon arrival the lights to the bathroom hall, gallery, and classrooms should be turned on. WAC hours are subject to change on short notice.
• Arrival: Instructors must be there before students arrive. WAC suggests instructors come to set up 30 minutes early for the first class of a session and at least 10 or more minutes early following classes. Failure to show up on time could result in termination of our teaching agreements. 
• Room Assignments: WAC and the Instructor will agree as to the room assignment and condition of the teaching space prior to signing this Agreement. The Instructor understands that the room assignment may be changed at the discretion of WAC, with WAC making the greatest effort possible to ensure a sufficient alternative.
• Maintanance: The instructor will ensure the classroom is clean and ready for the next class after each class - brushes, and materials used for the class are cleaned and put in their appropriate places. The Instructor shall properly maintain the Premises in a good, safe, and clean condition. If damage is caused during a class, the Instructor is responsible for notifying WAC immediately or as soon as possible. Aside from waste generated in the normal process of teaching and learning, the Instructor will remove all personal property, trash, and other items that were absent on the premises when the Instructor arrived unless agreed upon before the class.
• Storage: If Instructors need storage space for classes, they need verbal confirmation before storing anything at the WAC Center and agree to keep items only in the location(s) assigned to them by WAC. WAC shall exercise as much care to items in storage as WAC does in safeguarding its own property. Likewise, the Instructor shall care for WAC property as they would their own and will not disturb or take other items belonging to WAC or other Instructors without express permission. WAC is not liable for loss of, or damage to, personal property on the premises.

Financial Matters

• Payments: The arts council will process instructor pay within two weeks after the completion of the class. WAC will not release payment before the class is complete.
• Percentages: The current fee structure is 65% for the instructor and 35% for WAC for classes of 4 more students. For classes of 3 students or fewer there will be a 70/30 split. (current as of fall 2024) Flat rate or hourly rate pay are provided to instructors who are providing free or reduced cost classes as a service of WAC to make the arts accessible for all. These hourly rates or flat fees vary based on the funding source of the project.  
• Supplies Fees: a $5 supply fee will be added to the cost of each course per student unless otherwise indicated. The instructor will alert WAC of costs of any supplies that may cost more than $5 prior to publishing the course. In some cases the students wil be asked to bring supplies or WAC will provide the supplies and the supply fee will be included in the cost of the course. The supply fee will be deducted from the final total of the course and the instructor will be paid based on the remaining amount of the course. 
• Cancelation Payments: As a non-profit, WAC operates on a tight budget. The Instructor understands that they will not be paid for any classes that are canceled and not rescheduled, either by the Instructor or WAC.
• W-9: The Instructor understands that they will receive a 1099 form for taxes by January 31st following the year of instruction. If the Instructor is new or if details like address have changed, the Instructor will submit a completed W-9 form, either digitally or by mail/in person at the WAC Center. If a digital copy is ready, you may use the File Upload box at the bottom of this form to upload and submit. See the WAC Instructor Handbook, linked above, for further directions. Here is a link to the W-9 form from the IRS website. PAYMENT CANNOT BE ISSUED UNTIL A W-9 FORM IS ON FILE.
• Scholarships: Student scholarships may be available and the student(s) to receive scholarship is/are to be determined by WAC staff. Discounts or comps given as part of a scholarship could result in a reduction of course instructional fees collected and are thus reflected in the final instructor payment. Scholarships per class are limited. Each class is permitted at least one full scholarship or two partial scholarships. This will be communicated to the teacher ahead of time. 
• Discounts: WAC discounts may be given to board members or staff. The instructor will be paid for the full cost of the course and WAC will take the loss/or difference due to the discount.

Legal Matters

• The Instructor shall not knowingly commit nor permit any act contrary to the rules and regulations prescribed by any federal, state, or local authorities.
• Background Check: The Instructor shall submit, either digitally or by mail/in person at the WAC Center, a valid background check within 2 weeks of submitting this Agreement or at least 30 days prior to the first class or event, whichever comes first. WAC WILL NOT MAKE AVAILABLE FOR REGISTRATION OR ADVERTISE ANY OFFERING PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE BACKGROUND CHECK. If a digital copy is ready, you may use the File Upload box at the bottom of this form to upload a digital copy and submit. If you have completed your background check online through BIB, then WAC will automatically receive your completed check. See the WAC Instructor Handbook, linked above, for further directions.
• Photo Release: The Instructor may not use images of students on personal social media or other public platform without (a.) permission from WAC and (b.) a photo release form signed by participants over 18 or, if under 18, by participants' guardians. Photo releases are included in the class registration. 
• Health Guide: The Watauga Arts Council follows all current North Carolina health guidelines. The Instructor agrees to follow and enforce these guidelines during their class.
• Termination of Agreement: Both parties can terminate this agreement for convenience by giving the other party 30 days written notice.
• Student Retention: Instructors are prohibited from using student contact information to solicit students outside of Watauga Arts Council classes and programs.
• Hold Harmless: The Instructor, individually, and on behalf of heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives, hereby release and forever discharge The Watauga Arts Council, and its employees, agents, officers, trustees and representatives (in their official and individual capacities) (“Releasees”) from any and all liability whatsoever for any and all damages, losses or injuries (including death) sustained to person or property or both, including but not limited to any claims, demands, actions, causes of action, judgments, damages, expenses and costs, including attorney fees, which arise out of, result from, occur during, or are connected in any manner with my participation in the art education program whether caused by the negligence of the Releasees or otherwise; except that which is the result of gross negligence and/or wanton misconduct by the Releasees. In addition, the Instructor, individually, and on behalf of heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives, hereby agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless The Watauga Arts Council, and its employees, agents, officers, trustees and representatives (in their official and individual capacities) from any and all liability, loss, damage or expense, including attorney fees, that they or any of them incur or sustain as a result of any claims, demands, actions, causes of action, damages, judgments, costs or expenses, including attorneys fees, which arise out of, occur during, or are in any way connected with the Instructor's participation in the art education program.
• Waiver Release: The Instructor agrees that this Waiver, Release, and Indemnification Agreement is to be construed under the laws of the State of North Carolina, U.S.A.; and that if any portion is held invalid, the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect. The Instructor agrees that this Agreement is to be construed broadly to provide a release, indemnification and waiver to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law. In signing this document, the Instructor hereby acknowledges having read this entire document, and understand its terms, and is at least eighteen (18) years of age, that by signing it, is giving up substantial legal rights that the Instructor might otherwise have, and has signed it knowingly and voluntarily.