What We’re Looking For: Proposal Evaluation Criteria

About This Program

SomArt Space is a civic program of the Somerville Arts Council — not a private rental business, and not a nonprofit. That distinction matters. As a civic program, we exist to support activities that enrich public life through artistic and cultural value, and that could not sustain themselves at market rate without subsidy. We are here for the work that needs to exist but struggles to afford the space to happen.

This means we prioritize differently than a commercial studio would. We are not simply filling a calendar. We are making decisions about what the public benefits from having in this space.

What We Evaluate

All proposals — for rehearsals and for classes — are evaluated on the same core questions. Your proposal will be stronger if it speaks directly to each of these areas.

Creating New Work

This is our primary criterion. We are a space for making things — not for maintaining existing repertoire, not for recreational activity, and not for work that could just as easily happen in a gym or a community center. We are looking for proposals that are generative: work that is in the process of becoming something.

We prioritize proposals that primarily serve working and pre-professional artists. This space is a professional resource. If your proposal serves a mix of participants, tell us who the work is really for and why it belongs here.

Specific Space Need

The Hive has a marley floor, a no-shoes policy, a sound system, clear sightlines, and tolerance for loud noise. Not every proposal needs all of these — but a strong proposal makes clear why this space, specifically, is necessary for the work. If your rehearsal or class could function equally well in a smaller, less equipped, or less specialized space, that is relevant to our decision.

Non-Commercial Purpose and Financial Need

We ask: could this work sustain itself at market rate? If the answer is yes, this program may not be the right fit. If the answer is no — because the work is exploratory, because the community it serves can’t afford market-rate access, because the form itself doesn’t generate commercial revenue — that is exactly what this program is designed to support. Tell us about the financial reality of your work.

Community Track Record

We look at whether applicants have a demonstrated history of contributing to their community — through performance, teaching, mentorship, accessibility, or other forms of public engagement. This doesn’t require a long resume. It requires evidence that your work reaches beyond yourself.

Somerville Connection

We give preference to artists with an active connection to Somerville — not just geographic proximity, but participation in the local arts ecosystem. This can include a history of creating, presenting, or teaching here, or work that is rooted in or serves the Somerville community.

Prior Relationship with SomArt — Stewardship

If you have used SomArt spaces before, your track record here matters. Good stewardship is the baseline expectation for all SomArt artists — not a bonus. This includes completing checkout procedures after every use, sweeping and leaving the space as found, submitting calendar listings for all public-facing sessions, signing program agreements in a timely manner, and following program policies as they are written. These are not negotiable on an individual basis — they are the conditions that make the program sustainable for everyone.

Returning applicants are evaluated on whether they have met this baseline consistently. New applicants are not penalized for having no prior relationship; this criterion rewards demonstrated good standing.

Collaborative Engagement — Partnership

Beyond baseline stewardship, SomArt values artists and organizations that actively contribute to the health of the program and the community around it. This means promoting your work with pride and crediting SomArt publicly, engaging with the broader SomArt artist community, participating in program feedback and development when invited, and approaching the program as a shared resource rather than a private arrangement.

This is what distinguishes a partner from a SomArt artist. Partnership is earned through consistent, reciprocal engagement over time — not assumed by virtue of tenure or prior access.

For Rehearsal Proposals

In addition to the criteria above, tell us about the work itself: what are you making, where is it in its development, and what does the rehearsal process look like? We are looking for proposals that describe active creative work — not open-ended studio time without a clear artistic purpose.

For Class Proposals

In addition to the criteria above, tell us about your teaching practice: how long have you been teaching, where have you taught, and what does this class offer that is distinct from what is already available in the market? We are looking for classes that cultivate rigor, curiosity, and professional development — not fitness or recreational programming.

If you are interested in being considered for the Morning Class Series (a drop-in professional training program), indicate this in your application. This series operates on a revenue-share model rather than a flat rate and has additional eligibility criteria.

How Decisions Are Made

Proposals are scored against these criteria and then evaluated in the context of the full schedule. We aim to maintain a balance between classes and rehearsals, and between morning, midday, and evening time slots. A strong proposal may not be selected if the requested time slot is unavailable or if it would create an imbalance in the overall program. We may contact applicants to discuss alternative times.

Curation is part of this process. Scores inform decisions but do not make them. We are building a program, not just filling a calendar.