Art Department Masterclass is committed to providing a professional, respectful, and inclusive learning environment that values creative expertise, collaboration, and ethical creative practice. This Code of Conduct applies to all participants, tutors, guest speakers, collaborators, and organisers involved in the programme.
By participating in the Art Department Masterclass, you agree to uphold the principles outlined below.
Programme Structure and Participation
Art Department Masterclass consists of two training sessions per year.
Participants apply separately for each training session or to both training sessions at once.
Each training session includes up to 20 participants, primarily professionals working in or entering the art department, including:
Production designers
Art directors
Set decorators and set dressers
Prop masters and standby props
Graphic designers
Other art department roles
The first training session includes a practical assignment involving collaboration with five teams of writers and directors (max 10 participants in total).
All participants are expected to engage with the programme in a professional manner, recognising that the Masterclass is both a learning environment and a space for respectful creative exchange.
Participants are expected to attend all scheduled sessions. If unable to attend due to exceptional circumstances, please notify the organisers in advance.
Recording of lectures (audio or video) without explicit permission is not permitted. Official programme photography and documentation will be conducted by the Art Department Masterclass team in accordance with our privacy policy.
Professional Conduct and Mutual Respect
Participants are expected to:
Treat all individuals with respect, fairness, and consideration, regardless of role, background, experience level, or discipline
Show professional respect towards tutors, guest speakers, and experts, particularly when engaging with their work, presentations, and feedback
Communicate clearly and constructively, avoiding dismissive, demeaning, or aggressive language
Respect personal and professional boundaries at all times
Contribute to an environment that encourages learning, trust, and open exchange
Discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or disrespectful behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated.
Creative Collaboration and Respect for Ideas
Art Department Masterclass places strong emphasis on ethical creative collaboration and respect for creative authorship.
Participants are expected to:
Engage in collaborative work with openness, professionalism, and respect for differing creative perspectives
Acknowledge the expertise and authorship of experts and presenters, and approach discussion of their work with curiosity and professionalism
Respect the ideas, scripts, and creative intentions shared by directors, writers, and fellow participants
During practical assignments - particularly when developing mood boards, visual concepts, and design proposals - participants must:
Treat all creative material as part of a shared learning process
Present visual ideas as interpretations and proposals, not as dismissals of another collaborator’s work
Avoid appropriating, undermining, or misrepresenting the ideas or contributions of others
Give and receive feedback in a constructive, professional, and respectful manner
Credit collaborators appropriately and respect intellectual and creative ownership
Treat all creative materials shared during the programme (scripts, concepts, project details) as confidential unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Creative disagreement is a natural and valuable part of the design process; however, it must always be expressed with respect for people, ideas, and professional boundaries.
Safe and Respectful Learning Environment
Art Department Masterclass is committed to maintaining a safe environment where all participants feel respected and supported.
Unacceptable behaviour includes, but is not limited to:
Harassment or discrimination of any kind
Sexual harassment or inappropriate comments
Unwanted physical contact
Bullying, intimidation, or threats
Disruptive or dismissive behaviour that undermines learning, collaboration, or creative exchange
This Code of Conduct applies to all programme-related spaces, including live training sessions, online meetings, workshops, collaborative platforms, written communications, and social activities connected to the Art Department Masterclass.
Reporting Concerns
Participants who experience or witness behaviour that violates this Code of Conduct are encouraged to report it.
Reports can be made confidentially by contacting: hello@artdepartmentmasterclass.com
All reports will be taken seriously and handled with care, discretion, and respect for everyone involved.
Consequences of Breach
Art Department Masterclass reserves the right to take appropriate action if this Code of Conduct is breached. Actions may include:
A formal warning
Removal from a session or activity
Termination of participation in the programme without refund
Exclusion from future Art Department Masterclass activities
Any action taken will be proportionate, fair, and in line with European legal standards and duty-of-care responsibilities.
Shared Responsibility
A respectful, ethical, and inspiring learning environment is a shared responsibility. We ask all participants, tutors, and collaborators to actively contribute to a culture that values professional expertise, creative integrity, and mutual respect.