Student Policies, Terms, and Conditions:
Philosophy & Credentials:
Amsterdam Creatief operates as a professional vocational institution dedicated to high-level creative mentorship. Our programs are designed and delivered under the supervision of Jacob Watrous, M.Ed., ensuring that every session meets rigorous pedagogical and professional standards.
The Educational Framework
Our curriculum is built on the principles of Backward Design and Understanding by Design (UbD). We begin by identifying the specific professional outcomes and visual goals of the student, then "work backward" to develop the specific instructional roadmap (The Creative Brief) required to reach those results.
Our Core Pedagogical Principles:
Funds of Knowledge: We recognize and integrate the existing skills, cultural backgrounds, and unique perspectives of each practitioner into the mentorship to enhance engagement and mastery.
Scaffolding & Practicum: Instruction is structured to provide foundational support that is gradually removed as the student gains technical independence during the field study.
Formative & Summative Assessment: Learning is measured through ongoing feedback during the session (formative) and a final professional review of the work produced (summative).
Professional Qualifications
Jacob Watrous, M.Ed. (Director of Instruction)
Master of Education (M.Ed.): Secondary Education and Instructional Leadership, University of Washington, Seattle.
Educational Consultant: Former trainer for the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the College Board, specializing in educator professional development and curriculum implementation.
Industry Experience: Professional news and documentary photographer and former educator for the Edmonds School District.
Exemption Policy:
As each mentorship is a bespoke, self-contained vocational course, no exemptions are granted for prior education,
nor do these courses provide credits toward other degree-granting institutions.
Commitment to Quality
As a provider of professional vocational education under the trade name Amsterdam Creatief, and as a Master of Education (MEd), I am committed to the highest standards of instruction. All training is conducted with due care, transparency, and reliability. Amsterdam Creatief operates according to a strict pedagogical and ethical framework. We are aligned with the CRKBO (Centraal Register Kort Beroepsonderwijs) standards.
Continuity of Education & Financial Security
Amsterdam Creatief guarantees the continuity of its vocational programs to ensure students achieve their learning objectives. In the unlikely event of the long-term illness or incapacity of the Lead Mentor, Amsterdam Creatief maintains an emergency replacement protocol with qualified guest lecturers to ensure the seamless continuation of instruction.
To protect the student’s investment, all pre-paid tuition is held in a dedicated business account and is not utilized for institutional operating expenses until the Field Study component has been successfully delivered. Should Amsterdam Creatief be unable to fulfill its educational obligations (e.g., due to force majeure or insolvency), all pre-paid tuition for unrendered services will be refunded to the participant in full within 14 days.
1. Informal Resolution
I encourage participants to voice any concerns during the course or mentorship so that adjustments to the curriculum or delivery can be made in real-time.
2. Formal Complaint Filing
If a concern is not resolved informally, a formal written complaint may be submitted via email.
Acknowledgment: You will receive a formal confirmation of receipt within 48 hours.
Confidentiality: All complaints are treated with total discretion and handled confidentially.
3. Handling and Response Timeline
Response Period: A substantive response will be provided within 4 weeks of the date of receipt.
Extensions: If a longer period is required to investigate the complaint, the participant will be notified within the initial 4-week period. This notification will state the reasons for the delay and provide an estimate of when a final conclusion will be reached.
4. Independent Mediation (Appeal)
If the internal response does not lead to a satisfactory resolution, the participant has the right to appeal to an independent third party.
Independent Party: For this purpose, Amsterdam Creatief is affiliated with Stichting Geschillencommissie. Their ruling is binding for both the provider and the student.
Binding Nature: The decision made by this independent third party is binding for Amsterdam Creatief. Any resulting consequences or required actions will be handled by the institute within the established time limits.
Legal Recourse: The right to seek ultimate judgment through the Dutch court system remains open following this process.
5. Record Keeping
Complaints and the manner in which they were handled are recorded in a central registry. These records are kept for two years after the resolution of the complaint.
Privacy Statement (GDPR/AVG Compliance)
Last Updated: February 9, 2026
Amsterdam Creatief, led by Jacob Watrous, operates under the guiding principles of due care, transparency, and reliability. As a registered training institute, we are committed to protecting the personal data of our participants and the proprietary business information shared during our vocational studies.
This statement complies with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the Dutch Uitvoeringswet Algemene verordening gegevensbescherming (AVG).
1. Data Controller
The data controller responsible for your personal data is:
Watrous Guides / Amsterdam Creatief Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Contact: information@amsterdamcreatief.nl
2. Confidentiality of Business & Work Processes
Amsterdam Creatief treats all information provided by participants as strictly confidential. This protection extends beyond personal identity to include:
Business Strategies: Proprietary goals, market positions, or commercial plans.
Work Processes: Internal methodologies, creative workflows, or technical hurdles.
Intellectual Property: Specific narrative theses or artistic concepts developed during the study.
All employees, teachers, or subcontractors engaged by Amsterdam Creatief are legally bound by non-disclosure agreements to ensure this information remains protected.
3. Personal Data Collection
We only collect information necessary to provide high-end creative mentorship and manage our educational relationship:
Identity & Contact Data: Name, email address, and phone number.
Session & Goal Data: Information regarding creative objectives and skill levels provided via inquiry forms.
Financial Data: Payment details processed through secure third-party providers (e.g., Stripe) for tuition fees.
4. Purpose and Legal Basis for Processing
We process your data based on the following legal grounds:
Contractual Necessity: To perform the initial consultation, assessment of skill levels, and the bespoke curriculum design.
Consent: When you voluntarily submit an inquiry or register for a study.
Legal Obligation: To comply with Dutch tax and accounting requirements regarding financial records.
5. Data Retention & Security
Retention: We retain personal data only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including legal, accounting, or reporting requirements (typically 7 years for financial records under Dutch law).
Security: We have implemented appropriate security measures to prevent your personal data from being accidentally lost, used, or accessed in an unauthorized way.
6. Your Legal Rights
Under the GDPR/AVG, you have the right to access, correct, or request the erasure of your personal data. To exercise these rights, or to inquire about our confidentiality standards, please contact Jacob Watrous directly at information@amsterdamcreatief.nl.
Terms & Conditions (Algemene Voorwaarden) – Amsterdam Creatief
1. The Agreement & Scope
By completing a booking and paying tuition, you enter into a binding Agreement of Instruction with Watrous Guides (KVK #____________), trading as Amsterdam Creatief. These terms apply to all vocational training, short courses, and mentorship residencies. As the residency is a holistic vocational process, the curriculum is non-severable. No pro-rata refunds or exemptions are granted for prior experience or skipped components. Participation does not grant legally recognized degrees or ECTS credits.
2. Information & Transparency
2.1 Truthful Representation: All information regarding course levels and objectives is a fair reflection of the vocational training offered.
2.2 Study Load: Tuition includes the total study load (Prep, Intake, Field, and Synthesis). Any physical materials (film, paper, etc.) to be purchased by the participant will be disclosed in advance.
2.3 Response Times: Jacob Watrous and Amsterdam Creatief strive to answer administrative questions within 48 hours. If a query requires extensive research, a confirmation of receipt will be sent within that time with an estimated resolution date.
3. Payment & Registration
3.1 Tuition: To secure a residency, 100% of the tuition is payable at the time of enrollment. This ensures the immediate commencement of the Bespoke Curriculum Design phase. Payment constitutes acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.
3.2 Installments: For advanced mentorship programs exceeding €1,000, a structured payment plan may be requested.
3.3 Refund Processing: All valid reimbursements (e.g., in the event of an instructor-led cancellation) will be processed within 14 days.
4. Right of Withdrawal (14-Day Cooling-off Period)
4.1 Standard Rule: In accordance with Dutch law, consumers have a statutory 14-day cooling-off period to cancel their registration without penalty.
4.2 Waiver for Immediate Service: If a residency is scheduled to begin within 14 days of booking, the participant must explicitly check the waiver box on the booking form. By doing so, the participant requests that Amsterdam Creatief begins the Bespoke Curriculum Design immediately, thereby waiving the right of withdrawal once the service has been initiated.
4.3 B2B Exception: The 14-day cooling-off period does not apply to bookings made on behalf of a company or employer.
5. The Two-Phase Instructional Model & Cancellations
5.1 Phases: A residency consists of two distinct phases: (Phase 1) Preparation, Intake, and Roadmap Architecture; and (Phase 2) The Field Study.
5.2 Customization Fee: Upon the commencement of Phase 1 (Intake & Roadmap Architecture), the Participant acknowledges that Amsterdam Creatief performs significant proprietary, bespoke instructional design. Should the Participant cancel after Phase 1 has started, the Participant is liable for 50% of the total tuition. This amount represents the reasonable value of the services and intellectual labor already performed during the Preparation and Architecture phase.
5.3 Short-Notice Cancellations: Cancellations made within 48 hours of the scheduled Field Study are non-refundable, as the bespoke curriculum is finalized and the instructional window has been exclusively reserved.
5.4 Weather as Opportunity: Sessions proceed in all weather conditions unless the KNMI issues a Code Orange or Red warning. While sessions proceed in most weather, the Participant is responsible for providing adequate weather protection for their own equipment. The Consultant is not liable for equipment damage due to environmental exposure. If Amsterdam Creatief cancels due to safety, a full refund or reschedule is offered.
6. Confidentiality, Privacy & Copyright
6.1 Confidentiality: All proprietary creative workflows and business strategies shared by participants are treated with strict confidentiality by Amsterdam Creatief in accordance with its privacy policies:
6.2 GDPR: Data is used solely for session design and logistics in compliance with Dutch privacy laws.
6.3 Intellectual Property: Amsterdam Creatief remains the copyright owner of all course materials. Participants receive personal-use rights for their individual copies.
7. Use of Participant Work & Vocational Case Studies
7.1 Consent-Based: After your field study, Jacob Watrous or Amsterdam Creatief may ask your permission to utilize visual records (sketches/photos) produced during a session for educational "Case Studies". These visual records and information will only be used with the express voluntary written consent of the Participant.
7.2 Anonymization: Case studies utilize the Participant’s first name and last initial only to protect professional identity. Consent can be withdrawn at any time via email.
8. Complaints Procedure & Binding Appeal
8.1 Internal Resolution: Complaints must be submitted in writing to jacob@amsterdamcreatief.nl. We will acknowledge receipt within 48 hours and provide a formal written response within 4 weeks. Records are kept for 2 years.
8.2 Independent Third Party: If a dispute cannot be resolved internally, it will be referred to an independent mediator (e.g., Stichting Geschillencommissie).
8.3 Binding Decision: The decision of the independent third party is binding. However, if the Participant is a consumer (B2C), they have the right to opt for settlement by the competent civil court in the Netherlands within one month after Amsterdam Creatief has invoked this clause in writing.
9. Liability & Indemnification
9.1 Standard of Liability: Jacob Watrous and Amsterdam Creatief are not liable for any damages, loss, or theft of the Participant’s property, nor for any personal injury, unless caused by the intent (opzet) or willful recklessness (bewuste roekeloosheid) of Jacob Watrous or Amsterdam Creatief.
9.2 Insurance & Financial Limitation: Any liability of the Consultant is strictly limited to the amount actually paid out under the Consultant’s professional liability insurance for the claim in question. If, for any reason, no insurance payment is applicable, the Consultant’s total liability for any claim arising out of or in connection with the residency, workshop, or mentorship shall be limited to the total fee (excluding VAT) paid by the Participant for that specific assignment.
9.3 Environmental & Third-Party Risk: The Consultant operates in public and private urban environments and third-party venues. The Consultant is not responsible for the condition, safety, or accessibility of these external environments. Participants are solely responsible for their own physical safety, fitness for the walking components of the residency, and the security of their personal property.
9.4 Third-Party Indemnification: The Participant shall indemnify and hold Jacob Watrous and Amsterdam Creatief harmless against any and all third-party claims (including, but not limited to, claims from venue owners, property managers, or other participants) arising from the Participant’s actions, conduct, or negligence during the execution of the residency.
9.5 Professional Outcome: While the Consultant provides high-level vocational training, the "Architecture of Seeing" is a subjective creative process. The Consultant is not liable for the Participant’s failure to achieve specific professional, commercial, or creative milestones following the residency.
10. Termination for Cause
The Consultant reserves the right to terminate the residency immediately and without refund if the Participant engages in illegal activity, harassment, or behavior that threatens the safety of the Consultant or the public. In such cases, the full fee remains earned by the Consultant.
11. Applicable Law
This Agreement is governed exclusively by Dutch Law. All disputes shall be submitted to the competent court in the district where Amsterdam Creatief is registered (Amsterdam, Noord-Holland).