Program Partnership: Revenue Share Model for Classes

What This Is

The SomArt Program Partnership is a revenue share model available to established teachers, artist groups, and organizations whose work aligns with our mission. Instead of paying a flat rental rate, partners pay a percentage of net class revenue to SomArt. When the class earns more, SomArt earns more. When it earns less, the partner’s financial risk is lower.

This is not free rent. The partnership model works because both parties are invested in the class succeeding. SomArt provides the space, infrastructure, and promotional support. The partner provides the class, the outreach, and the consistent effort to get people in the door.

Session Conversion

A class slot under the partnership model exists in one of two states at any given session. There is no middle ground.

• Active partnership — the partner holds the session as a public offering, follows the promotion requirements below, and the revenue split applies.
• Self-converted rehearsal — the partner does not wish to hold a public class that session. They convert the booking to a rehearsal at $17/hr no later than 5 days in advance. Conversions within 5 days require direct communication with SomArt staff.

There is no state in which a partner holds a class, does not promote it, and pays the rehearsal rate. If the session is public-facing, the partnership obligations apply. If the partner does not want those obligations for a given session, the self-conversion option is available — but it must be used proactively, not retroactively.

Self-conversion is a legitimate tool, not a failure. Life happens. Seasons are demanding. The self-conversion option exists so partners can make honest decisions about their capacity without penalty — as long as they make those decisions in advance.

Who This Is For

The partnership model is designed for established teachers, artist groups, and organizations offering professional-level open classes. Individual teachers apply in their own name. Groups and organizations must designate a lead contact who holds administrative and programmatic accountability for the partnership. To be considered, you should be able to demonstrate:

• A track record of producing open classes — you or your organization have offered ongoing classes before, and you have an audience or community that follows your work.
• A professional-level class — this model is for training, technique, creative practice, and professional development. It is not available for recreational or fitness programming.
• Capacity and willingness to actively market your class — you maintain a presence (social media, mailing list, community relationships, or other channels) through which you can reach prospective students. SomArt amplifies your promotion; it does not replace it.
• Alignment with SomArt’s mission — the class should support the creation of new work and serve working or pre-professional artists.

If you or your organization are early in your teaching practice or offering a class for the first time, a standard class contract at our flat rate may be a better starting point. You are welcome to apply for the partnership model in a future season once you have established an audience.

How the Revenue Split Works

Revenue is calculated on net ticket/registration income per class session, after any payment processing fees. The split is tiered: as revenue increases, the portion going to SomArt increases. Once a class consistently generates above the threshold for market-rate rental, the arrangement converts to a standard flat-rate class contract at $35/hr.

Net Revenue (per class)	Split (Teacher / Studio)	Teacher Receives	Studio Receives
$0 – $59	70 / 30	$0 – $41.30	$0 – $17.70
$60 – $74	65 / 35	$39 – $48.10	$21 – $25.90
$75 – $89	60 / 40	$45 – $53.40	$30 – $35.60
$90 – $104	55 / 45	$49.50 – $57.20	$40.50 – $46.80
$105 – $134	50 / 50	$52.50 – $67	$52.50 – $67
$135 – $140	50 / 50	$67.50 – $70	$67.50 – $70
$141+	Flat rate applies	Standard rehearsal or class rate	—

All figures are per 1.5–2 hour class session. Revenue is reported by the partner after each session and reconciled monthly. SomArt reserves the right to audit attendance and revenue records.

Promotion Requirements

Active promotion is a condition of the partnership, not a recommendation. A session held without meeting these requirements is considered a partnership obligation failure for that session.

SomArt Calendar Submission (required)

All public-facing sessions must be submitted to the SomArt calendar no later than the Wednesday before the week of the class. SomArt’s social media manager posts about listed classes every Monday based on Wednesday’s calendar. Submissions after Wednesday are not guaranteed coverage that week.

A complete calendar submission must include all of the following. Incomplete submissions will not be posted and do not count toward fulfillment of the promotion requirement:

• Class or series title
• Teacher name(s) — generic titles without named instructors are not sufficient
• Brief class description (2–3 sentences minimum)
• Date, time, and registration link
• Level or prerequisite information where relevant

There is an option to create recurring instances in which individual dates can be edited.

Partner’s Own Channels (required)

At minimum, one dedicated feed post — not a story alone — about the session on your primary public channel (Instagram or equivalent) no later than 3 days before the class. Stories disappear within 24 hours and are not searchable; a feed post or equivalent permanent content is required so the announcement is findable by prospective students.

Partners who offer recurring sessions are encouraged to post a seasonal schedule at the start of each season. This does not replace the per-session post requirement but provides useful context for prospective students.

Recommended but Not Required

• A story reminder 24–48 hours before the session.
• Mailing list announcements for special sessions, guest teachers, or series launches.
• Cross-promotion with SomArt’s social accounts by tagging @somartspace.

Responsibilities

What SomArt Provides

• Subsidized access to professional space as outlined in the partnership agreement
• Calendar listing posted within three business days of a complete submission by the partner
• Social media promotion via weekly Monday posts covering all classes listed on the calendar by the prior Wednesday
• Inclusion in SomArt program communications where relevant
• Administrative support within established systems and processes

What the Partner Provides

• Active promotion meeting the requirements above — the partner is responsible for driving attendance. SomArt amplifies; it does not originate.
• Consistent presence — a qualified instructor must be present and prepared for every session held as a public class. For organizations, instructor coverage is the organization’s responsibility to arrange in advance. Last-minute substitutions without notice are not acceptable.
• Accurate revenue reporting after each session, submitted through the process outlined in the partnership agreement.
• Proactive self-conversion — if you do not intend to hold a session as a public class, convert it to a rehearsal at least 5 days in advance. Do not hold a class without promoting it.
• Adherence to all SomArt Space program policies — including booking procedures, checkout requirements, and space use guidelines. Partnership status does not exempt individuals or organizations from program policy.

When the Partnership Ends

The partnership model requires active, consistent effort. If a partner is no longer able or willing to meet the promotion and attendance obligations, the slot converts to a standard rehearsal contract at $17/hr. This is not a penalty — it is an honest reclassification of what the slot is actually being used for.

Conversion is triggered by:

• Two sessions in a single season held as public classes without meeting the promotion requirements.
• Two no-shows in a single season without 48-hour advance notice. One no-show per season is forgiven.

Partners whose slots convert may reapply for the partnership model in a future season. The self-conversion option remains available at any time — use it proactively rather than letting sessions lapse into non-compliance.

How to Apply

The partnership model is not available through the standard class RFP. It requires a separate application reviewed individually. Before applying, submit a brief inquiry describing your class and your background — as an individual teacher or as an organization. We will let you know whether a full application is worth pursuing before you invest time in it.

If invited to apply, you will complete a partnership application covering your teaching or programming history, your proposed class, your marketing approach, your projected attendance, and — for groups and organizations — the name of the designated lead contact who will hold administrative responsibility for the partnership. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis for the Morning Class Series time slots.

Deadlines

Program partner applications can be submitted at any time, however it would be advantageous to submit during the class RFP timelines to be considered at the same time as other proposals. Often this means that if you submit this proposal late, we cannot consider you as we line up the schedule for the year or the season.

Yearly & Seasonal Contracts Review
Yearly and Fall/Winter proposals are reviewed June 1 with notification June 15
Winter/Spring proposals are reviewed Oct 1 with notification Oct 15
Spring/Summer proposals are reviewed Feb 1 with notification Feb 15