Many active artists teach once in a while, next to their professional practice. Others would like to set up a teaching practice or school from which they generate their income. Why do you want to set up a teaching practice?

What is your area of expertise?
Think of what aspects of your profession you are really good at, what are your major skills and experience and what you love to do. Are you for instance specialized in a certain field of visual art or style of dance? Can you inspire others to freely express themselves? Or are you good at guiding an individual’s progress? Which target group would you prefer to work with? You can develop extensive courses for the people who are serious about developing themselves, or some one-off workshops for private groups like birthday parties or staff excursions.

What does your teaching practice look like?
You can set up a practice by yourself or with a person who is specialized in another field. That way you create a wider series of lessons. You can teach many ways and to a large variety of target groups; to novices and advanced, adults or children. You can teach one-on-one or in groups, weekly or fortnightly. Jam sessions, organize dance performances or exhibitions, or act as a band coach.

Your teaching spot
If you teach in your own space or in a community center, make sure it is big enough, especially in group lessons where you use extra instruments and materials like a piano, sound- or video equipment or painters’ easels. Also consider whether you need dressing rooms or waiting rooms.

How do you get your students?
Teaching often starts off with a few pupils. If you want to start a teaching practice for a living, you will need to do research into its feasibility.  Research potential students; Estimate the size of the region your students could come from; Look  for example if there are schools or community centers nearby; also research what other teachers or institutions have on offer. Who knows there may be a target group that has not been well catered for?  Or do you have a training program that compliments what is already available. Consciously target your promotion to the specific group that you consider suitable for the course. Clearly communicate the scope of the creative ambition in the course as well.

Carry out active acquisition: don’t be shy to walk in or to ring up. Personal contact is important and effective. You will leave the impression of being assertive and motivated. Tell people around you what you are doing and that you are looking for students. Make sure your advertisements look well presented; consider special offers, such as a (free) introductory lesson. That way your students will get a taste of the atmosphere before they join.

A teaching practice means accounting
You will need to decide on lesson fees for instance. Determine for yourself how much you want to clear and how much time you want to allocate for it.  Consider the time you spend besides teaching on preparation, administration and promotion of your teaching practice. Make a realistic budget of your spending and income.

Starting a course involves costs for advertising, telephone and advances on the purchase of materials; the acquisition of easels or tables, equipment or instruments or hiring a model. Budget the section “miscellaneous” at 10% of the total cost.

Your own teaching practice also means keeping good administration. You need to make invoices, with or without vat, and report your income to the Taxation department. You will also need to register yourself with the Business registry office. (Kamer van Koophandel).

More information
- Step by step: setting up a teaching practice and setting up accounts
- Wizard VAT for teachers and liability
- I want to....make publicity
- Income and taxes about Taxes (pdf) and VAT for teachers (pdf)

Dance:
- Website of Kunstfactor
- Website of Nederlandse Beroepsvereniging van Danskunstenaars

Music:
- Website of professional organisations KNTV: professional organization for musicians
- Website of NTB

Theatre
-website van LT Beroepsvereniging Docenten Drama en theater (BDD)
For teachers of all forms of education

Visual
- Website of NVTO: union for teachers in visual art education
- Website van de VLBV: society for teachers of visual arts

Other external links
- Website of the Kunstenaarsvakbond of the FNV
- Website with information on neighourhood survey
- Website of Belastingdienst