Refund & Return Policy
Last Updated: September 2026
This Refund Policy explains the circumstances in which Gihanga Institute of Contemporary Art (GICA) may issue refunds in relation to membership payments and other transactions made to the Institute[cite: 4].
1. Cancellation of Recurring Membership Payments
Members may cancel future recurring payments at any time by writing to contact@gica.art[cite: 4]. To take effect before the next scheduled payment, notice must be received at least 7 days prior to that billing date[cite: 4]. Where notice is received later, the next payment may still be taken and the cancellation will apply from the following cycle[cite: 4].
Cancellation stops future payments only[cite: 4]. It does not entitle the member to a refund for a membership period that has already commenced, and access to member benefits continues through the end of the paid period[cite: 4].
Where payment was arranged via standing order or recurring instruction directly with your bank or mobile money provider, you should also cancel the instruction directly through your financial service provider[cite: 4].
2. Refund Requests and Response Timeframes
Refund requests should be submitted in writing to contact@gica.art and must include sufficient information to identify the transaction (member name, payment date, amount, and payment reference)[cite: 4].
GICA acknowledges refund requests within 5 working days[cite: 4]. Once approved, refunds are processed promptly, with clearance times dependent on your bank or mobile money operator[cite: 4].
3. Currency and Transaction Fees
Refunds are issued in the original currency of payment where practicable[cite: 4]. GICA is not responsible for intermediary bank fees, mobile money transaction costs, or foreign exchange rate variations between the time of payment and the time of refund[cite: 4].
4. Donations & Philanthropic Support
Donations made in support of GICA programmes, exhibitions, and fellowships are non-refundable[cite: 4]. Exceptions may only be considered where a duplicate transaction was initiated in error[cite: 4]. In such instances, please contact contact@gica.art with transaction timestamps[cite: 4].
5. Failed Recurring Payments
Where a recurring membership transaction is declined, GICA or its payment processor may retry the payment method provided[cite: 4]. If unsuccessful, membership privileges may be suspended until settled[cite: 4]. Suspension resulting from a failed payment does not create an entitlement to a retroactive refund for periods already commenced[cite: 4].