SomArt is a program of the Somerville Arts Council which seeks to support the creation of new work in performance, visual arts, and trans/interdisciplinary disciplines. As a municipally-run program, SomArt is unique in providing subsidized space for artist work space under the umbrella of City government.
SomArt is more than just space. We currently serve over 350 local working lead artists focusing on performing and visual artists. Visit our directory to find out more about who is served. If you are a working artist and would like to become a SomArt Artist, follow the steps below to get started.
Currently, SomArt has 3 locations, each geared towards specific priorities outlined below. Each space is unique in physicality and amenities available to artists. All spaces have movement-safe flooring with either wood on wood sub-floor, or sprung dance floor with marley. Both the Hive and Armory 3rd floor have no outside shoes policies to maintain a hygienic environment for all.
History
In May, 2021 the Somerville Arts Council entered into a partnership with Federal Realty opening up temporary use rehearsal space in Assembly Row, Somerville. Since that time, our space program has expanded to 4 locations. We are no longer in Assembly Row. The mission of this program is to provide rehearsal and creation space to performing artists keeping the costs low. With this in mind, our spaces cost just $0-$35/hour depending on use and the space!
All spaces are open to all performing artists within the greater metro area. You do not need to be a Somerville resident.
SomArt Space @ The Hive
Opened January 2024
Who does this serve/who is eligible: Working performing artists centered in dance, theatre, and experimental performance. Projects must be mission-driven and have a budget that reflects their purpose.
What can happen here: Movement/Dance, Inter/Transdisciplinary Performance Practices, Dance/Theatre Classes, Dance/Theatre Rehearsals, Performance.
Ineligible Activities: Fitness classes, martial arts, retreats, conferences, groups over 50, and circus arts which require high ceiling heights.
- 25′ x 43′ dance/performance area
- Sound System
- Lighting System
- South facing windows
- Sprung floor with adagio marley
- Capacity: 49 max
- ADA accessible
- 4th floor, elevator access
- 14′ ceilings
- Showers, bathrooms, changing area (same floor or in the space)
- Optional seating for guests
- Blackout curtain
- Projection capabilities
2nd Floor (2A) @ the Armory
Who is eligible?
This opportunity is for performing artists focused on dance, theatre, experimental performance, and community-based performing arts activities. Projects must be mission-driven and have a budget that reflects their purpose.
What can take place here?
Activities may include movement and dance practices, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary work, dance and theatre rehearsals, and informal showings.
Ineligible Activities: Fitness classes, martial arts, activities with high volume sound, retreats, conferences, groups over 25, circus arts which require high ceiling heights, children’s classes/rehearsals, public-facing events or parties.
Please be advised that all SomArt spaces and policies at the Somerville Armory (191 highland Ave) are temporary and may change during our ongoing Armory master planning process. The Somerville Armory is a City owned, multi-tenant building with various arts operators holding leases. All activities within the Armory must comply with state regulations and building specific rules while also respecting the Somerville Armoy’s other tenants and their activities.
- 17′ x 22′ main space
- Sound System
- Lots of light/windows – white walls / no blackout capabilities
- Wood over wood floor. Not sprung, but has enough ‘give’ for dance/movement
- Capacity: about 5-10 for movement; 25 max standing
- ADA accessible
- Space is on the 2nd floor of the Armory
Armory 2A Availability
3rd Floor @ the Armory
(Please note: SomArt is a program of the Somerville Arts Council and is not affiliated with Arts at the Armory which also manages space in the Somerville Armory building. The Somerville Armory is a multi-tenant building housing many independently led organizations.)
Who is eligible?
This opportunity is for performing artists focused on dance, theatre, experimental performance, and community-based performing arts activities. Projects must be mission-driven and have a budget that reflects their purpose.
What can take place here?
Activities may include movement and dance practices, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary work, dance and theatre rehearsals, and informal showings.
Ineligible Activities: Fitness classes, martial arts, activities with high volume sound, retreats, conferences, groups over 25, circus arts which require high ceiling heights, children’s classes/rehearsals, public-facing events or parties.
Please be advised that all SomArt spaces and policies at the Somerville Armory (191 highland Ave) are temporary and may change during our ongoing Armory master planning process. The Somerville Armory is a City owned, multi-tenant building with various arts operators holding leases. All activities within the Armory must comply with state regulations and building specific rules while also respecting the Somerville Armoy’s other tenants and their activities.
- 20′ x 22′ main space
- 10′ x 10′ room off of the main space
- 30′ x 10′ space
- Outside wrap-around deck
- Sound System
- Lots of light/windows – white walls / no blackout capabilities
- Wood over wood floor. Not sprung, but has enough ‘give’ for dance/movement
- Capacity: about 15 moving only in the big space
- ADA accessible
- Space is on the 3rd floor of the Armory
- No outside shoe policy
Armory 3A Availability
2nd Floor (2B) @ the Armory
(Please note: SomArt is a program of the Somerville Arts Council and is not affiliated with Arts at the Armory which also manages space in the Somerville Armory building. The Somerville Armory is a multi-tenant building housing independently led organizations.)
Who does this serve/who is eligible: Performing artists centered in dance, theatre, experimental performance, community performing artists activities. Projects must be mission-driven and have a budget that reflects their purpose.
What can happen here: Movement/Dance, Inter/Transdisciplinary Practices, Dance/Theatre Rehearsals, Informal Showings, group conversations (art-related), lectures, workshops.
Ineligible Activities: Fitness classes, martial arts, activities with high volume sound, retreats, conferences, groups over 25, circus arts which require high ceiling heights, high-mess activities, public-facing events, parties.
Please be advised that all SomArt spaces and policies at the Somerville Armory (191 highland Ave) are temporary and may change during our ongoing Armory master planning process. The Somerville Armory is a City owned, multi-tenant building with various arts operators holding leases. All activities within the Armory must comply with state regulations and building specific rules while also respecting the Somerville Armoy’s other tenants and their activities.
- 16′ x 15′ main space
- 7′ x 10′ room off of the main space
- Lots of light/windows – white walls / no blackout capabilities
- Wood over wood floor. Not sprung, but has enough ‘give’ for dance/movement
- Capacity: about 10 moving only in the bigger space
- ADA accessible
- Space is on the 2rd floor of the Armory
- No outside shoe policy
Armory 2B Availability
Sign Up / Our Policy
To Request Space/become a SomArt Artist:
Eligibility
Before proceeding, please be sure the activities you plan on using the space(s) for fit within the following criteria: Currently we are able to support activities for dance/theatre rehearsals, informal showings, performances, labs, and other activities centering working artist practices. We are unable to support activities that fall outside these priorities due to the high demand for scheduling in the spaces.
Register through our booking software. Required fields include name, email, space use questions, and credit card information. Registration should take approximately 5 minutes or less to complete. There is no cost to register.
After registering, schedule a walkthrough through our scheduling page for each space you wish to book. The SomArt program includes four distinct spaces, and each requires its own walkthrough before you are approved to book. Even if you’ve been in the space before, a walkthrough is required for everyone. Please review the allowed uses of each space before scheduling, and make sure you’re signing up for the correct space and location. Note that there are different walkthroughs for rehearsal and performance uses, so be sure to select the one that matches how you plan to use the space.
After the walkthrough you would be approved to book space up to 60 days in advance, but no less than 24 hours in advance through our automated booking system. This function will not be enabled until we approve you after your in-person walkthrough.
Policies:
Walkthrough Requirement
- All new artists must attend a space walkthrough and policy overview before they can begin booking space. Walkthroughs are offered once per month and can be scheduled through the link provided in Step 2 above.
Booking Policies
- Artists must agree to all policies and terms through the booking system before reserving space.
- The artist who attended the walkthrough must be present for the entire duration of their booking.
- Artists may not reserve space for others or allow others to use the space in their absence.
- Bookings may be made up to 60 days in advance without a yearly or seasonal contract.
Space Use Guidelines
- Artists are expected to “leave no trace.” Absolutely no trash of any kind may be left in the space at the end of a session. This includes — and especially applies to — food, drink, and container waste, which must be taken out with you.
- Dance floor policy: No outside shoes are allowed. If you’ve worn your shoes outdoors, they are considered outside shoes. Bare feet, socks, and clean dance shoes are allowed.
Access and Checkout Procedures
- Hours of operation: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM, seven days a week.
- The key must remain in the lockbox at all times to prevent lockouts — please do not take the key into the space.
- At the end of each session, complete the checkout procedure by scanning the QR code posted in the space.
| Non-Contract Rehearsals | Contract Rehearsals | Labs | Showings | Performances | Ongoing Classes | |
| How to Book | Hive + Armory: Directly through the booking system | Armory: Not available Hive: RFP | Hive + Armory: Directly through the booking system selecting “lab” rate | Armory: Special Request Form Hive: RFP | Armory: Not available Hive: RFP | Armory: Not available Hive: RFP |
| Max Days Advance Booking | Hive + Armory: 60 days | Hive Only: Seasonal or Yearly | Hive Only: up to 2 Seasons before | Hive Only: up to 2 Seasons before | Hive Only: up to 3 Seasons before | Hive Only: Yearly Sept start, Seasonal, or 60 Days |
| Min Days Advance Booking | Hive + Armory: no sooner than 24 hours | Hive Only: Yearly – September start date Seasonal – Sept, Jan, May start dates | Hive + Armory: no sooner than 48 hours | Hive + Armory: no sooner than 7 days | Hive Only: no sooner than 7 days | Hive Only: no sooner than 48 hours |
| Hours per Week | Armory: 1 min – 6 max Hive: 1 min – no max | Armory: Not available Hive: 1 min – no max | Armory: 1 min – 6 max Hive: 1 min – no max | Hive + Armory: min/max 4 | Armory: Not available Hive: min 4 max 8 | Armory: Not available Hive: 1.5 min – 6 max |
| Cancellation | Hive + Armory: no later than 48 hours | Armory: Not available Hive: no later than 14 days. Must have 90% use of contract dates | Hive + Armory: no later than 48 hours | Hive + Armory: no later than 7 days | Armory: Not available Hive: no later than 60 days | Armory: Not available Hive: no later than 48 hours |
| Cost (all spaces) | Armory: $12/hr Hive: $17/hr | Armory: $12/hr Hive: $17/hr | no pay participants Armory: $12/hr Hive: $17/hr pay participants Armory: $20/hr Hive: $35/hr | no pay participants Armory: $12/hr Hive: $17/hr pay participants Armory: $20/hr Hive: $100 for 4 hour block | Armory: Not available Hive: $250-$1000 depending on yearly budget, location, and tech time needed | Armory: Not available Hive: $35/hr |