USA
TOPICS
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VISA INFORMATION FOR GERMAN CITIZENS
A visa is not necessary for German citizens (except under certain circumstances). Possession of a return flight ticket on a major air carrier and an appropriate quantity of money is, however, a prerequisite. It is recommended to check ahead with the US embassy which air carriers are recommended, in order to avoid painful surprises. In principle it is usually better to obtain a visa in Germany, in order to avoid the occasional nerve-wracking torture with immigration officers who have no time to listen to stupid explanations. (The visa and photo are free, but one must have time and patience to avoid replies from the security personnel like "Those Americans are crazy "). On the application you will be asked about your employment, and your reasons for visiting the USA - communists, terrorists, and homosexuals are prohibited.
The final decision over the length of stay in the USA rests with the Immigration authority at the airport. Visitors can receive permission to stay for as long as 6 months. An extension of the visit can be applied for with the Immigration authority before the expiration of the permit.
Restricted work visa: under certain conditions a permit for temporary employment in the USA can be obtained. The prospective employer must contact the nearest Immigration authority in the USA in advance, and secure a Petition (Form I-129B). As soon as it is approved, the visa will be processed.
You should be aware, that the application is well-suited for 3 categories: 1) unusual talent, or 2) unavailable local trained help in the skill (both 1 and 2 are preferred), or 3) as a trainee. How good the outlook is here, I cannot say.
Embassy of the United States of America
Konsularabteilung
Deichmanns Aue 29
53179 Bonn
Tel. 0228/339-1
(most large cities have a consulate, and most are open mornings)
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GENERAL VISA INFORMATION FOR VISITORS
These two sources on the Internet are full of basic information:
(http://www.customs.u streas.gov/travel/index.htm)
Visiting the United States Customs Regulations for Non-Residents
(http://www.custom s.ustreas.gov/travel/visiting.htm)
VISA SERVICES - details for the visitor
(http://206.161.109.6/visa_se rvices.html)
TIPS FOR U.S. VISAS:
Visitors - Business and Pleasure
Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The "visitor" visa is a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2). Persons planning to travel to the U.S. for a different purpose such as students, temporary workers, crewmen, journalists, etc., must apply for a different visa in the appropriate category. The consular officer can provide additional information. Travelers from certain eligible countries may also be able to visit the U.S. without a visa on the Visa Waiver Pilot Program. (See later in this document for further details.)
Applicants for visitor visas must show that they qualify under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The presumption in the law is that every visa applicant is an intending immigrant. Therefore, applicants for visitor visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating that:
-- The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for business, pleasure, or medical treatment;
-- That they plan to remain for a specific, limited period; and
-- That they have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties which will insure their return abroad at the end of the visit.
Applicants for visitor visas should generally apply at the American Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence. Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanent residence.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
Each applicant for a visitor visa must submit:
1) An application Form OF-156, completed and signed. Blank forms are
available without charge at all U.S. consular offices;
2) A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States. If more than one person is included in the passport, each person desiring a visa must make an application;
3) Two photographs 1 and 1/2 inches square (37x37 mm) for each applicant, showing full face, without head covering, against a light background.
OPTIONAL DOCUMENTATION
Applicants must demonstrate that they are properly classifiable as visitors under U.S. law. Evidence which shows the purpose of the trip, intent to depart the United States, and arrangements made to cover the costs of the trip may be provided. It is impossible to specify the exact form the evidence should take since applicants' circumstances vary greatly.
Persons traveling to the U.S. on business can present a letter from the U.S. business firm indicating the purpose of the trip, the bearer's intended length of stay and the firm's intent todefray travel costs.
Persons traveling to the U.S. for pleasure may use letters from relatives or friends in the U.S.whom the applicant plans to visit or confirmation of participation in a planned tour.
Those applicants who do not have sufficient funds to support themselves while in the U.S. must present convincing evidence that an interested person will provide support. Visitors are not permitted to accept employment during their stay in the U.S. Depending on individual circumstances, applicants may provide other evidence substantiating the trip's purpose and specifying the nature of binding obligations, such as family ties or employment, which would compel their return abroad.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A person whose passport contains a previously issued visitor visa should inquire about special expedited procedures available at most consular offices for issuance of a new visitor visa.
Unless previously canceled, a visa is valid until its expiration date. Therefore, if the traveler has a valid U.S. visitor visa in an expired passport, he or she may use it along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States.
U.S. PORT OF ENTRY
Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The U.S.Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has authority to deny admission. Also, the period for which the bearer of a visitor visa is authorized to remain in the United States is determined by the INS, not the consular officer. At the port of entry, an INS official must authorize the traveler's admission to the U.S. At that time the INS Form I-94, Record of Arrival-Departure, which notes the length of stay permitted, is validated. Those visitors who wish to stay beyond the time indicated on their Form I-94 must contact the INS to request Form I-539, Application to Extend Status. The decision to grant or deny a request for extension of stay is made solely by the INS.
Travelers coming to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less from qualified countries may be eligible to visit the U.S. without a visa. Currently, 25 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Visitors entering on the Visa Waiver Pilot Program cannot work or study while in the U.S. and cannot stay longer than 90 days or adjust their status to another category.
WHY IS THERE A VISA REQUIREMENT?
The United States is an open society. Unlike many other countries, the United States does not impose internal controls on most visitors, such as registration with local authorities. In order to enjoy the privilege of unencumbered travel in the United States, aliens have a responsibility to prove they are going to return abroad before a visitor or student visa is issued. Our immigration law requires consular officers to view every visa applicant as an intending immigrant until the applicant proves otherwise.
(http://206.161.109.6/visadenia ls.html)
The most frequent basis for such a refusal concerns the requirement that the prospective visitor or student possess a residence abroad he/she has no intention of abandoning. Applicants prove the existence of such residence by demonstrating that they have ties abroad that would compel them to leave the U.S. at the end of the temporary stay. The law places this burden of proof on the applicant.
(http://206.161.109.6/visa; ineligible.html)
Section 212 (a) and Section 221 (g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act deals with reasons for ineligibility.
(http://206.161.109.6/visa;ex change.html)
The Immigration and Nationality Act provides two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. The "J" visa is for educational and cultural exchange programs designated by the U.S. Information Agency, (USIA) and the "Q" visa is for international cultural exchange programs designated by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
The "J" exchange visitor program is designed to promote the interchange of persons, knowledge, and skills in the fields of education, arts, and sciences. Participants include students at all academic levels; trainees obtaining on-the-job training with firms, institutions, and agencies; teachers of primary, secondary, and specialized schools; professors coming to teach or do research at institutions of higher learning; research scholars; professional trainees in the medical and allied fields; and international visitors coming for the purpose of travel, observation, consultation, research, training, sharing, or demonstrating specialized knowledge or skills, or participating in organized people-to-people programs.
The "Q" international cultural exchange program is for the purpose of providing practical training, employment, and the sharing of the history, culture, and traditions of the participant's home country in the United States.
See the US Customs Internet page (http://206.161.109.6/visa;exchange.html) for details.
US State Department Visa Services
(http://206.161.109.6/visa_se rvices.html)
A university must be authorized by the Department of Justice to issue the 1-20AB (F-I student visa) and by the Department of State to issue the IAP-66 (exchange visitor J visa). Upon receipt of either of these documents, you should take your passport to the closest U. S. Consul or Embassy to obtain a visa to enter the United States. These documents will not be issued until after admission has taken place. (Note: Canadian citizens do not need a passport to enter the U. S.) The 1-20AB and IAP-66 must also be presented to the immigration officer at the port of entry to the United States.
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
(http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/index.h tml)
The 1996 changes to the immigration law prohibit attendance at a public elementary school or publicly-funded adult education program, and restrict attendance at a public secondary school to a cumulative period not to exceed one year while requiring reimbursement of the unsubsidized, per-capita costs of education.
The Immigration Home Page (tm)
Very few types of visas issued by the U.S. government allow a person to work.. Tourist visas, student visas, even business visitor visas do not permit a person to work in the U.S. Among the few visas that do allow a person to work here are visas for International Journalists (I-1 visa), International Organization Employees (A-1 diplomats, G-1 U.N. or mission employees), Treaty Traders and Treaty Investors (E visa), Exchange Program Visitors (J-1 for research or cultural activities), Performers, Athletes, Models, and Religious Workers (O, P, and R visa). But what about people who want to work in the U.S. and who do not qualify for any of these visas? Let's talk about H visas, L visas, and Practical Training for students.
The H-1B Visa: The Professional's Pass to the Commercial World
The H-1B visa allows a professional employee to fill a professional job with a U.S. firm. "Professional" refers to a person who has at least a bachelors level degree in a field where the normal requirement to enter the field is at least a bachelors degree. Some of the obvious professions include accountants, college professors, technical computer systems positions, lawyers, engineers, architects, and economists. Outside the category would be most business management positions, basic computer programming jobs, and others where a college degree is not usually required.
The professional must be coming to fill a professional position. If an architect is to fill a position as a drafter, the visa would not be approved since drafting is not a "professional" position. The professional must hold a license if needed to carry out the duties. For example, in New York architects and engineers must have a license to carry out certain duties. The visa cannot be approved unless the professional worker already holds the proper local license but if the person will be working under the direct supervision of another licensed professional then the person does not need a license and the H-1B visa can be approved.
No experience in the profession is required and no search need be made for qualified U.S. workers. The employer must agree to pay the prevailing wage and to pay for return transport of the worker if the job is terminated early. Under some circumstances, a person in the U.S. with another visa (student F-1, or visitor B-1/B-2, as examples) can have the non-working visa changed to an H-1B visa. The person who entered with a visa waived cannot change to another visa category while in the U.S. An H-1 visa can be issued for up to three years then extended for a total of 6 years. The family of an H-1 visa holder can apply for H-4 status which allow them to travel and to attend school but not to work.
Since 1987 in the US the "Studio Potters Network" has existed. It is an umbrella organization for the many pottery groups throughout the US and Canada. Kalkspatz has been a member for the last few years. For the moment the organization is reorganizing, since the long-time "driving force" Kit Cornell has returned with renewed dedication to her studio. The responsibilities of the organization has therefore been divided among various people (as in Kalkspatz), but there is a central coordinator: Annie Carlsson.
Studio Potters Network
Annie Carlsson
451 Chapel St.
Harrisville, R.I.02830
Phone: 401 568-7941
Fax: 508 476-2695
Email:
acarlsso@cwmarsmail.cwmars.org
The Network's "Newsletter", which appears
twice yearly, contains many reports about groups, oportunities and
workshops.
Their editorial address is:
Jean Silverman
41 Neal Mill Rd.
Newmarket NH 03857
Tel. 603/659-2632
Fax: 603/659-4728
Email:
jeansil@nh.ultranet.com
Interested Kalkspatz members can obtain this newsletter in printed format, as well as the mailing list of the Network membership for free from Günter Haltmayer.
National Council on Education for the
Ceramic Arts (NCECA)
Secretary: Regina Brown
P.O. Box 1677
Bandon, Oregon 97411, USA
http://www.arts.ufl.edu/nceca/
An unrestricted organization: College educators, students, amateurs,
etc. NCECA has a magazine and a large annual conference, which is
probably the largest gathering of the ceramic scene in the US.
Ceramics Monthly
The Studio Potter
Box 70
Goffstown
New Hampshire 03045
Bi-annual, $22 per year. Professional, utilitarian, and art intermixed, highly recommended. No exhibition
listings, plus no color photos, yet wonderful to read.
Clay Times
PO Box 365
Waterford VA 20197
Phone (540) 882-3576
Fax (540)882-4196
email: CLAYTIMES@AOL.COM
Bimonthly, US$19.95 per year (US), $29.95 Canada, $39.95 elsewhwere.
Highly informative, very practical approach.No small advertisements.
American Craft Council
45th Street
New York 10036
Exhibitions, library, information about all types of hand-made crafts
in the US
Also, Studio Potters Network offers something very nice for the
travelling potter: a "Bed and Breakfast for Potters". This
means that the Network has compiled a list of potters who will gladly
take in guests, for no financial gain, but rather out of generosity.
It is a good idea for those who cannot get enough of pottery. Anyone
who is a member of one of the Network's member groups can
participate, which includes all Kalkspatz members. If you register as
a host, you will receive a list of all other hosts, and with it you
can make your travel plans accordingly. Fairness demands, however,
that now and then you will function as a host too, and this is great
fun, believe me! It is asked, however, that for any inquiries please
include a few dollars for postage (the list itself costs $10) to
cover the organization's costs.Contact:
Bob Compton, Potters in Oregon
RFD 3, Box 3600
Bristol, Vermont 05443
Tel. 802-453-3778
The USA is the birthplace of the Internet and it is understandable that many, many people have been using it for years now. It is astonishing how many potters already have email addresses. Here are a few Internet addresses from the USA:
* Ceramic software - good! Insight and many others. Shareware and commercial versions! (http://apple.sdsu.edu/ceramicsweb/glazesoftware.html)
*
Clayart
- information about the Clayart mail-list. A MUST for everyone!
Questions and answers about everything imaginable and much that is
unimaginable. Accessible through email, plus it is moderated.
(http://apple.sdsu.edu/ceramicsweb/clayart.html)
* Artscape - ArtScape: Online Ceramics Resources ( http://www.artscape.com/ceramics.html)
* CeramicsWeb - The best place to visit. Marvelous resources and a vast glaze database, and the ClayArt archives (http://apple.sdsu.edu/ceramicsweb/ceramicsweb.html)
* National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (http://calypso.nerdc.ufl.edu/~nceca/)
* American Ceramic Society (http://jeeves.nist.gov/~wcraig/acers_homepage.html)
* Alfred University, the famous graduate school (http://nyscc.alfred.edu/art/)
* DeAnza College Ceramics HomePage, a well-linked starting point (http://kilnman.fhda.edu/linksceramics.html)
Just a few of the best-known programs (private & expensive):
Penland School
Penland
North Carolina 28765
Peters Valley Craft Center
19 Kuhn Road
Layton, New Jersey 07851
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
556 Parkway
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738
Anderson Ranch Arts Center
PO Box 5598
Snowmass Village, CO 81615
There is however in many schools the possibility of offsetting or financing the cost of studies through assistantships or financial assistance with the institution. In some cases the courses taken in the workshop settings listed above are transferable to university plans of study. If you are seriously interested, you can find information in advertisements in each issue of "Ceramics Monthly" (plus there is an annual issue with detailed listings of all summer programs).
In addition NCECA produces a "Ceramic Program Guide", with 170 programs in colleges, universities, and other facilities in the US. Costs $12 from NCECA.
The 1991 Fall edition "Network Newsletter" published a list of "Residency Opportunities". "Residencies" are opportunities for lengthier visits by potters to one of these schools or other institutions in North America. Instead of following a plan of study, independent artistic explorations are encouraged. The list is available from the editor.
Ceramics in the US in the last few years has become "academized", i.e., one can study ceramics in most colleges. A distinction exists in the US between public and private universities. Public universities are state- and federally-supported, and the expenses are much lower than private universities. A student must pay tuition to take classes, and the tuition varies from institution to institution. Private institutions can cost up to ten times what a public institution costs (around $1500 per semester for state universities). Then you must pay for living and food (room and board). In some cases there might be scholarships, awards, or opportunities to work off some of the expenses. Sometimes it is possible to enroll as a part-time student, and costs are lower this way.
If a potter or ceramic artist wishes to pursue a degree, there are different types of programs. The ceramics studies may have to be part of a more general program in art studies. In some cases, a student may specialize in ceramics. One can also study ceramics in many cases as part of a program towards a teaching certificate. These comments apply to undergraduate programs in art, crafts, and/or teaching. One can also study ceramics at the graduate level, and it is more possible to do in-depth work at this level. One must apply to the graduate school of choice, and a portfolio of work, plus a transcript of previous studies is usually necessary. Most colleges and universities offer some type of ceramic or sculpture studies. There are also opportunities at what are called "regional campuses" or "community colleges", which are usually 2 year programs that do not award a degree, but instead allow you to take more advanced classes at a larger institution farther away upon completion.
There are also "casual" learning situations in many towns and cities where one can take classes at a community art center or from private individuals to learn techniques. These situations do not confer degrees, but are often very good learning situations, and there is no requirement to be taking any other classes than you want to take.
It is important to note than in the US (unlike in Germany), anyone can make and sell pottery. There is no certification or licensing necessary, except to apply for a retail tax license if you wish to sell to the public (which means you collect sales tax for your state -- no one is ever denied). The only limitations may be related to your studio and where you can have it (due to local building codes and restrictions). Whether you survive or not economically is determined in the marketplace.
If you wish to teach your skills, this can be done at the casual level by offering classes through your studio or as a teacher at a local craft center. If you want to teach at the university level, you must have completed at least a Master of Arts degree, and in most cases a Master of Fine Arts degree. To teach in the public schools, you must also have a teaching certificate for the state you teach in.