Comments on: 5 Ways to Follow Up with Students in Your Art Classes

By: Alyson Stanfield

Mon, 15 Aug 2016 15:05:38 +0000

In reply to Julie.

Julie: Yes! Find a new venue or start doing your own. This is ridiculous. If they are an art association, they should be working to support artists.
Alternatively, have a conversation with them and build your case. You can have students sign a photo release.

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By: Julie

Mon, 15 Aug 2016 14:23:55 +0000

I love this post, Alyson!
I teach classes every year but one of the art associations that is my primary venue won’t give any student info to instructors. I get a list of names the morning of the first class. My supply lists are sent through the art assoc. office to maintain the students’ privacy. Even if a student has a question for me, they have to go through the office. *sigh* It makes it difficult to 1) build enthusiasm, 2) get to know the students and their experience before the class, and 3) engage in follow-up with the students. All I can do is have a sign-up sheet and ask for their contact information, but they rarely give it. Last year the assoc. posted a notice stating no photography could be taken of the students during class, which I like to do to build enthusiasm for other classes I’m offering. Any suggestions?

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By: Deb

Sat, 06 Aug 2016 05:18:20 +0000

Great suggestions! I’ve just read-written my feedback form. Thank you!

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By: Lorraine Rimmelin

Fri, 05 Aug 2016 11:25:55 +0000

Great advice on following up with students. You sure practice what you preach, it’s always great to receive posts and updates from you. ???? Thanks

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By: Eileen Wiessner

Fri, 05 Aug 2016 02:49:30 +0000

As always, great stuff Alyson !! (Patricia C. Vener – Love your new profile pic !!)

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By: Allison Carter

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 21:20:52 +0000

Let students be your advocate: Ask them to take a photo with their finished work, or in progress if they choose, and post it to social media (instagram, facebook, pinterest) with a hashtag of your business name (or something like it). Those who send you the link can get a discount to next class, or some other incentive.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 21:08:40 +0000

In reply to Elva Robinson.

Have a great class, Elva!

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 21:08:20 +0000

In reply to Marcia Yudkin.

Absolutely, Marcia! And I’ve said it on numerous occasions. I’ve told people: “You have what you need. Go do the work.” That’s not what they wanted to hear. I guess they feel like they’re making progress if they just keep giving me money.

I am uncomfortable with that, which is why all of my classes are focused on taking action rather than just gathering info.

Thanks for bringing this up.

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By: Patricia C Vener

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 21:02:38 +0000

I’m not teaching at the moment but shoukd I do so in the future, this article is going to have to be taped to my wall.

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By: Marcia Yudkin

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 15:57:40 +0000

All excellent suggestions. But sometimes, Alyson, we need to tell people that it is time to stop studying and time to take action, instead.

I have done this numerous times when I wondered why a particular student took class after class with me. When I sensed that this was partly or mainly a delaying tactic, I would speak up and, in a nice way, suggest that they might be ready to graduate from the learning stage.

Do you agree that having people sign up for more and more classes may not be in their best interest?

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