Updated: 05/11/2026

SomArt Space

Terms and Conditions

Performing artist rehearsal spaces at The Hive (Boynton Yards) and The Armory

These spaces are for Somerville-based artists whose practice aligns with the following criteria:

Low-noise activity: Sound must not exceed 70dB (Armory spaces only — see Sound Equipment below for venue-specific details).
Low-profile setup: All setup and breakdown must occur within the booked time.
Appropriate uses include:
Movement and dance practices
Inter/transdisciplinary performance practices
Dance and theatre rehearsals
Labs and informal showings
Performances (Hive only; see booking type requirements)
Group conversations, lectures, and workshops (art-related)
Ineligible activities: fitness classes, martial arts, high-volume sound activities, retreats, conferences, and parties.

Capacity by Space Armory 3rd floor — no more than 20 people Armory 2nd floor — no more than 25 people total in both spaces The Hive — no more than 49 people except by special permit

Policies for Use

Payment

Artists are invoiced after each booking.
Credit card information must be on file to book.
If a payment is declined, it must be resolved within 48 hours.

Cancellation

Bookings may be canceled or rescheduled up to 48 hours in advance via the online booking system.
Cancellations within 48 hours are not refundable.
This policy ensures equitable access and accountability for the space.

Space Access & Security

Registration & Attendance

The registered artist must have completed a walkthrough and must be present for the full duration of the booking.

Opening & Closing the Space

Artists are responsible for independently unlocking and locking the space.
Access is provided via lockboxes (Armory) or door codes (Hive); codes are sent with booking confirmations and may change periodically.
Keys must remain in the lockbox area and be returned immediately after use. Lockbox numbers must be scrambled after locking up.

Arrival & Departure

Artists may not arrive before their confirmed booking start time.
Artists must depart by their confirmed booking end time.
Early entry — including entering the space before the booking start time regardless of whether the space appears unoccupied — is a policy violation. Apparent vacancy does not constitute permission to enter.

Closeout Procedure

Artists must complete a closeout checklist, including uploading a photo via a QR code at the space.
The closeout must be completed by the artist whose name is on the booking. This is not delegable. Completion of the closeout constitutes the same artist’s acknowledgment that the session occurred under the Terms and Conditions they agreed to at signup.
Optionally, artists can enter an email to receive a confirmation receipt.

Surveillance

A security camera is installed in the space for safety.

Space Use Guidelines

Shoes & Flooring

Shoe policy varies by venue Armory 3rd floor & The Hive: No street shoes under any circumstances. Only clean, soft-soled, non-marking dance shoes permitted. Armory 2nd floor: Street shoes are permitted. However, full sweep procedures still apply — you are responsible for the floor condition you leave behind regardless of footwear. No tap shoes or rosin at any location.

Sound Equipment

Stereo system with aux/Bluetooth provided in Armory spaces.

Sound Volume Volume limit: 70dB (red level markers are visible) applies to Armory spaces only. The Hive has its own sound infrastructure and is not subject to the 70dB cap. Sound levels at The Hive are governed by the building’s policies and must not disturb neighboring tenants.

Props & Sets

Must not damage the floor.
Any part of a prop that touches the floor must be padded (felt, etc.).

Equipment & Infrastructure

Artists may only use equipment explicitly listed as available in their booking confirmation.
Performance equipment — including but not limited to dimmers, rigging points, and audio infrastructure — requires separate authorization and may not be used without prior written approval.
Artists may not alter, reconfigure, or interfere with any infrastructure component, including amp cabinets, cable runs, patching, or rigging, under any circumstances.
Artists may not move items into any space other than the one they have booked.

Damage Reporting

Any damage, equipment malfunction, or infrastructure concern must be reported to the Space Steward at the time of occurrence, regardless of perceived severity.
Failure to report damage at the time it occurs is treated as a separate policy violation from the damage itself and may result in independent enforcement action.
Unauthorized attempts to repair or remediate damage — including any attempt made after being instructed by staff to stop — constitute an additional violation.

Storage

Storage is limited and must be requested by emailing [email protected].
Artists may not use others’ equipment.
Setup and cleanup must happen during booked time.
Artists may not leave items in program spaces between sessions unless those items are actively in use for an ongoing art-making process with a confirmed return date that has been communicated to and approved by the Space Steward in advance.
Items left without authorization may be removed without notice. The program is not responsible for items left in violation of this policy.

Building Guidelines

Smoking & Open Flames

No smoking, incense, or open flames inside the building.

Trash & Housekeeping

All trash must be carried out. Artists are responsible for removing all belongings and waste at the end of each session.
Trash bins in the space are for dust and dirt from the floor only — no food, gum, liquids, paper, or any other waste of any kind. This requirement is also posted on the bins themselves.
Excessive trash or litter is not allowed.
Sweeping procedure: Floors must be swept before leaving. Dust must be collected into the dustbin — not swept into corners or left on the floor. The dustbin is for dust only. Shake the broom clean before storing.
Only water may be used to clean the dance floor.
Lights off and windows restored to original condition before departure.

Loitering

Arrive no earlier than your scheduled time.
No loitering in shared areas.
Artists must be the last to leave the space.

Emergencies & Liability

Emergency Contacts

Call 911 first in the case of fire, criminal activity, or serious health concerns.
Then contact Callie at 617-863-2550 for building-related emergencies.

Damage

Artists are liable for any damage caused by themselves or guests.
Payment for damages is due within 30 days and will be charged to the credit card on file unless alternate arrangements are made within 3 days of notification.

Insurance & Liability

Each artist assumes liability for injury to any persons they invite to the space, including but not limited to: injury to any party in the space at the time of booking. Artists are responsible for obtaining their own liability insurance.

Artist shall fully defend, indemnify, and hold harmless City of Somerville from any and all claims, lawsuits, demands, causes of action, liability, loss, damage and/or injury, of any kind whatsoever (including without limitation all claims for monetary loss, property damage, equitable relief, personal injury and/or wrongful death), whether brought by an individual or other entity, or imposed by a court of law or by administrative action of any federal, state, or local governmental body or agency, arising out of, in any way whatsoever, any acts, omissions, negligence, or willful misconduct on the part of Artist, its officers, owners, personnel, employees, agents, contractors, invitees, or volunteers. This indemnification applies to and includes, without limitation, the payment of all penalties, fines, judgments, awards, decrees, attorneys’ fees, and related costs or expenses, and any reimbursements to City of Somerville for all legal fees, expenses, and costs incurred by it.

Policy Violations & Enforcement

Violations of these Terms and Conditions are subject to a structured enforcement process administered by the Space Steward. Program administration is not in the enforcement chain for violations that have been correctly documented and applied per this policy, and is not available as an appeal route for such violations.

Infraction Tiers

Violations are classified into four tiers based on their impact on other users, program staff, and shared infrastructure. Tier determines when and how an infraction enters the enforcement ladder.

HIGHEST	Immediate strike. No warning issued.
HIGH	Warning on first occurrence. Strike on repeat.
MEDIUM	Documented reminder on first occurrence. Enters strike ladder on repeat.
LOW	Reminder only. Escalates after one warning.

A complete list of infraction examples by tier is maintained at somartspace.org/policy-infractions and posted in each space. This list may be updated at any time. The tier classifications and enforcement ladder below remain the governing framework regardless of updates to the infraction list.

Enforcement Ladder

Strikes accumulate across all infraction types. All enforcement actions are documented in writing by the Space Steward and communicated to the user via email.

Strike	Consequence	Delivered By
Strike 1	Documented written warning delivered to the user.	Space Steward
Strike 2	2-week booking suspension. User may not book or access any program space during this period.	Space Steward
Strike 3	4-week booking suspension. Reinstatement requires a meeting with the Space Steward, which the user is responsible for scheduling, before access is restored.	Space Steward

The Space Steward does not consult program administration before issuing Strike 1 or Strike 2 consequences. Strike 3 suspensions are reported to program administration as a matter of record.

Infraction Record & Reset

Infractions are logged by the Space Steward and are the authoritative record for determining strike counts.
Infraction records reset after six (6) consecutive months of clean use with no documented violations. After a reset, the strike count returns to zero. Prior incidents are retained in the historical log but do not count toward future enforcement.
A booking suspension pauses the six-month reset clock. The clock resumes only once the suspension has ended and the user has regained access.

Agreement & Policy Updates

Artists must digitally sign this contract before using the space.
Policies may be updated at any time. Artists will be notified and prompted to re-accept updated terms in the booking system.

By signing, I confirm that I have read, understood, and agree to abide by these Terms and Conditions in full, including the enforcement provisions.