Programs

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Health and Safety

VanArts is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace and learning environment for its employees, students and visitors. We are committed to preventing occupational illness and injury in the school and continually improving health and safety practices. If you see something that does not align with the health and safety of students and/or instructors please email your concern(s) to studentservices@vanarts.com. All concerns will be reviewed and responded to within five business days. If a situation is urgent please address it directly with Student Services or an Administrative staff member so that it is addressed immediately.

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Please let us know if you have medical conditions that we should know about in the event of emergencies.

If persons are missing for more than three days (no contact with the school) then a designated staff person, faculty member or student will take all reasonable measures to find out where they are.

Communicable Disease Prevention Protocols

Students and staff are to:

  • Conduct daily health checks,
  • Remain or go home if they have any symptoms of a communicable disease (e.g., fever, chills, new or worsening cough, sore throat, diarrhea) and get tested,
  • wash/sanitize their hands regularly;

Medical Insurance Requirement

BC Medical Insurance is required by law for all students, international as well as Canadian, through the Medical Services Plan of B.C. Students from outside British Columbia and international students should apply for B.C. Medical insurance once arriving and establishing an address in BC. Forms are available in the Student Services office and Medical Services Plan website. Coverage starts three months after the month in which you apply so international students on visas should apply upon arrival and establishing a BC address. During the waiting period, your former insurance policy may cover you or you can arrange for private insurance through any broker for your first three months in BC.

Counseling Resources

VanArts does not have a qualified counselor on staff to help students with personal issues. However, Administration and/or Student Services can provide information on where to contact professional counselors and therapists who are qualified for such a service. The closest resources are listed below.

Do not hesitate to speak to your program’s department head or Student Services if you are going through a tough situation and would like to speak to a counselor. Any issues relating to mental health or personal obstacles that hinder your work will remain confidential.

Contacts:

HERE2TALK, A FREE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE
Our provincial government has just launched a free mental health counselling and referral service called Here2Talk for all post-secondary students. The service offers confidential, free single-session services by app, phone or online chat, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

There are 555,000 post-secondary students in B.C. who face pressure and anxiety differently from one another. With school workload, juggling a part-time job, distancing from family and friends, and with the pandemic, students need to watch how stressors in their lives can affect their mental health.

If you feel overwhelmed, upset or need someone to talk with, trained counsellors can speak with you on the Here2Talk service. Someone will be ready to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

– You can download the app here
– Visit the website: here2talk.ca
– Call toll free at 1 877 857-3397 or direct at 604 642-5212

Crisis Centre BC
24/7 Distress Phone Services.  The Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC (Crisis Centre) is a non-profit, volunteer organization committed to helping people help themselves and others deal with crisis.

Greater Vancouver: 604-872-3311
Toll Free: 1-866-661-3311
1-800-SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433

Stein Medical Walk-In Clinics
777 Hornby St, Vancouver BC
604-637-8777

Care Point Medical Clinics
1623 Commercial Drive – 604-254-5554
1123 Davie Street – 604-915-9517
5138 Joyce Street – 604-436-0800

St. Paul’s Hospital
1081 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC
604-806-9090

Vancouver General Hospital
899 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
604-875-4111

Coast Mental Health
293 E 11th Ave
Vancouver, BC
1-877-602-6278

S.A.F.E.R. (Suicide Attempt Follow-up, Education and Research)
604-675-3700
* this service is available to anyone and no medical insurance is required

Qmunity LGBTQ Community Centre
1170 Bute Street, Vancouver BC
604-684-5307
Offers free counseling for LGBTQ youth and adults

Living Through Loss Counseling Society
604-873-5013
Offers counseling for grief at lower rates

Mood Disorders Association of BC
789 W Pender St.
Vancouver, BC
604-873-0103

Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW)
By Phone:
WAVAW Office, Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm: 604 255 6228
24 Hour Crisis Line 604-255-6344
Toll-Free 1-877-392-7583

Vancouver Coastal Health
Locations for Community Mental Health Clinics:
http://www.vch.ca/locations-services

Critical Incident and Crisis Management Policy

Emergencies (Critical / Life-threatening)

Call 911 immediately.
Know our location: 7th floor, 333 Terminal Ave, Vancouver, BC.
Notify a staff/faculty member or Student Services as soon as possible.

Non-critical safety concerns

Report urgent but non-life-threatening issues (e.g. fire alarms, electrical problems, hazards) directly to a staff/faculty member or Student Services. Fire drills occur periodically—treat all alarms as real, evacuate via stairwells and gather in the designated area in front of the building.

Network or facility issues

Email VanArts IT Department: ✉️ it@vanarts.com or call 📞 +1 604‑682‑2787 ext. 111.

Critical Incident Response

VanArts defines a critical incident as any event that poses a serious threat—including but not limited to natural disaster, violent incident, or other major emergency.

Our response includes:

  • Coordination with local emergency services (e.g. police, fire, ambulance)
  • Providing timely communication and support to those impacted
  • Offering debrief and follow-up after the incident

Emergency procedures are reviewed at Orientation. VanArts President, Colin Phillips (✉️ colin@vanarts.com | 📞 +1 604-682-2787), is responsible for Crisis and Critical Incident management.

Sexual Misconduct Policy

  1. VanArts is committed to the prevention of and appropriate response to sexual misconduct.
  2. Sexual misconduct refers to a spectrum of non-consensual sexual contact and behaviour including the following:
    • sexual assault;
    • sexual exploitation;
    • sexual harassment;
    • stalking;
    • indecent exposure;
    • voyeurism;
    • the distribution of a sexually explicit photograph or video of a person to one or more persons other than the person in the photograph or video without the consent of the person in the photograph or video and with the intent to distress the person in the photograph or video;
    • the attempt to commit an act of sexual misconduct; and
    • the threat to commit an act of sexual misconduct.
  3. A Complaint of sexual misconduct is different than a Report of sexual misconduct. A person may choose to disclose or complain of sexual misconduct without making a formal report. A Report is a formal notification of an incident of sexual misconduct to someone at the institution accompanied by a request for action.
  4. A student making a Complaint will be provided with resolution options and, if appropriate, accommodation, and will not be required or pressured to make a Report.
  5. The process for making a Complaint about sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
    1. The Complainant contacts the Manager of Student Services (studentservices@vanarts.com) or, in their absence, the Operations Manager (administration@vanarts.com) to make a Complaint.
    2. The Complainant describes their experience in as much or as little detail as they feel comfortable. No proof is required to make a Complaint.
    3. Making a Complaint does not prevent the Complainant from later making a Report.
  6. The process for responding to a Complaint of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
    1. VanArts Administration (“Administration”) will acknowledge receipt of the Complaint within 5 business days.
    2. Administration will determine if an investigation is warranted and whether the Complainant wishes to participate.
    3. If an investigation is undertaken:
      1. The Complainant may be interviewed to gather all information regarding the Complaint (including specific details of the incident, dates/times, all individuals involved, and any witnesses);
      2. The Respondent will be notified of the Complaint and given the opportunity to respond and present any information they feel is pertinent to the investigation;
      3. Interviews may be conducted with any involved parties or witnesses; and
      4. Reasonable updates will be provided on the status and outcome of the investigation to the Complainant and Respondent.
    4. If it is determined that action must be taken, Administration will do as required to ensure student safety and uphold contract requirements.
  7. The process for making a Report of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
    1. The Complainant submits a Report in writing to the Manager of Student Services (studentservices@vanarts.com) or, in their absence, the Operations Manager (administration@vanarts.com).
    2. The Report should include specific details of the incident, dates/times, all individuals involved, and any witnesses.
  8. The process for responding to a Report of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
    1. VanArts Administration (“Administration”) will acknowledge receipt of the Report within 5 business days.
    2. If an investigation is undertaken:
      1. The Complainant may be interviewed to confirm or clarify information contained in the Report;
      2. The Respondent will be notified of the Report and given the opportunity to respond and present any information they feel is pertinent to the investigation;
      3. Interviews may be conducted with any involved parties or witnesses; and
      4. Reasonable updates will be provided on the status and outcome of the investigation to the Complainant and Respondent.
    3. If it is determined that action must be taken, Administration will do as required to ensure student safety and uphold contract requirements.
    4. The Report and any information gathered related to the Report will be kept on file.
  9. It is contrary to this policy for an institution to retaliate, engage in reprisals or threaten to retaliate in relation to a Complaint or a Report.
  10. Any processes undertaken pursuant to this policy will be based on the principles of administrative fairness. All parties involved will be treated with dignity and respect.
  11. All information related to a Complaint or Report is confidential and will not be shared without the written consent of the parties, subject to the following exceptions:
    1. If an individual is at imminent risk of severe or life-threatening self-harm.
    2. If an individual is at imminent risk of harming another.
    3. There are reasonable grounds to believe that others in the institutional community may be at significant risk of harm based on the information provided.
    4. Where reporting is required by law.
    5. Where it is necessary to ensure procedural fairness in an investigation or other response to a Complaint or Report.

Harassment and Anti-Racism Policy

VanArts is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment. We do not tolerate harassment, racism, or discrimination of any kind within our community.

Our Sexual Misconduct Policy outlines the procedures for reporting and responding to incidents of sexual harassment or misconduct. The same reporting channels and processes also apply to any incidents of:

  • Racial or ethnic discrimination
  • Hate speech or harassment based on race, nationality, or cultural identity
  • Any other form of discriminatory behaviour

Students who experience or witness such conduct are encouraged to report it to Student Services, a department head, or any trusted staff member. All reports will be treated seriously, respectfully, and in confidence, following the procedures already established in our misconduct policy.

General Information

Operating Hours

The school’s business hours are from 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. Classes are typically held from 9:00am to 12:00pm, 1:00 pm to 4:00pm, or 6:00 pm to 9:00pm weekdays. Check your schedule for specific class times.

Evening and Weekend Access

The school labs are open to students and staff by keycard access from 7:30am until midnight 7 days a week. Before 9:00am and after 4pm on weekdays (and all day on weekends) you will need your keycard to gain access through the front door of the building and to use the elevator.

The deposit to get a keycard is $50, paid as additional school fees. If you lose your keycard you will have to pay $50 for a replacement. We do not lend out spare keycards, so please do not leave them at home. These cards are for your personal use only and must not be loaned or given to others.

VanArts is proud of the high standard of work ethic established by our students in past classes. Our diploma programs are very intensive, and when a student devotes extra hours to their education, we expect that effort to be respected by other students. Please respect the hard work and dedication of students who elect to work late and do not act in a way that disrupts their concentration on their studies.

Security

During business hours the front door is unlocked. Personal possessions as well as equipment can be stolen in broad daylight during business hours if security provisions are not followed. Please be sure that your personal belongings are never left unattended. VanArts is not responsible for the loss of any personal items. Do not let strangers into the classroom areas. If this should occur and a teacher or administrator is not available kindly ask the stranger to leave and report the incident to Administration immediately. Wear your student ID badge at all times. This will help us all to identify someone who is not a student or staff member.

Visitors

Bringing friends or family into the school without permission is not permitted, and school equipment is for student use only. You are paying to use this equipment and visitors are not. We also ask that there be no guests brought in after regular hours unless permission has been granted in advance. So if you expect a visitor, speak to Administration or Student Services well in advance to make arrangements.