Host an Event at MoHA

From MoHA Wiki

Purpose

This guide provides an overview of everything you need to host a successful event at MoHA. When submitting your event inquiry form, you must certify that you have read this article.

Before MoHA Hosts Your Event

You must either:

  • Volunteer at MoHA twice.
  • Be a participant in a MoHA program.

To volunteer, sign up here.

What Kind of Events Does MoHA Produce?

  • Public Events- Members of the general public are invited. These events are ticketed or free and promoted. For example:
    • Performance
    • Gallery opening
    • Film screening
    • Workshops
    • Installation
    • Jello Wrestling Tournament
  • Private Events- No public-facing ticketing. The organizer invites all attendees, no promotion is required. For example:
    • Fundraisers
    • Film shoots
    • Rehearsals
    • Wedding

To get a feel for our vibe, check out past and upcoming events.

What Kind of Events Does MoHA Not Produce?

  • Concerts
    • There are some exceptions, but as a general rule, we do not host traditional band lineups. If you feel like your concert is a good fit for us, submit it anyway!
  • Festivals or Multi-day Events
    • Some exceptions exist, but we do not host non-programmatic festivals or multi-day events.

How Much Does it Cost?

MoHA is committed to affordability, inclusivity and access for artists. We strive to work with every event organizer to find a rental structure that supports their goal and vision. Listed below are base rates. Exceptions may apply on a case-by-case basis.

Caption text
Resource Cost Notes
Venue Variable, depending on budget and needs. Typically: $300/day. Base venue cost does not include any of our technical resources. The space comes bare, meaning no lights are hung or PA set up. Please account for this in your proposal.
Tech Package Variable, depending on budget and needs. Full package is $200/day. For any use of MoHA resources, this includes:
  • Lights
  • Audio
  • Projectors
  • Computers
  • etc

For a complete list, see: insert Airtable link.

Door & Bar Staff $20/hr This rate is for all FOH roles.
Production Labor $25/hr This rate is for all non-specialized production labor. For example:
  • Fabrication
  • Installation
  • MoHA Staff
Specialized Labor $35/hr This rate is for specialized production labor, for example:
  • Light technician
  • Sound technician
  • Media technician

Who Pays a Venue Rental Fee?

All public and private events must pay some venue rental fee. The only events excluded from this are:

  • Events as part of a MoHA Program
    • eg: CATS+, Unlisted Projects, IRL, etc…
  • Events organized by a recipient of a MoHA grant
  • Events organized by individual(s) with expressed need

Before You Submit Your Event Request

Gather the following:

  • Date(s) of event
    • Date and time of event. Include a cushion of time before and after for setup and breakdown.
    • Dates and times you will need space access outside of your event time. ie:
      • Rehearsals
      • Load in / Load out
      • Fabrication
  • Completed budget template (need to finalize)
    • Will you need to find labor or technicians through MoHA? If so, please account for our in-house rates.
    • We understand that budgets are a constantly moving target. You do not need to submit a finalized budget.
  • Completed production information, including:
    • Staff needs
    • Technical needs
    • Full timeline
    • Ticket info
    • Breakdown of MoHA resources you want to use
    • Breakdown of resources you will bring independently
  • Proof of your two volunteer dates

What Do You Get?

Spaces

In your event proposal, specify which part(s) of MoHA you would like to use. MoHA has the following spaces:

  • Gallery
  • Venue
  • Out front (Drive-in)
  • Yard
  • Common area
  • IRL
  • Peanut
  • The Mall (inside)
  • The Mall (outside)
  • The Cage
  • Gravel Pit

For more information and floorplan of spaces, click here.

Whichever area you use, the space comes completely neutral, a blank canvas. When you propose an event, it is important that you have an understanding of everything it takes to turn MoHA from a blank canvas into the venue that you know and love. We are here to help you with this process, but we ask that you consider all this information when preparing your event proposal.

Most events need the following:

  • Lighting. Can be rented from MoHA as part of Tech Package.
    • Hang and focus venue lights
    • Position our preexisting lights (for Gallery)
    • Install specialty lights
  • Sound. Can be rented from MoHA as part of Tech Package.
    • PA Setup
    • Microphones
    • Live mixing
  • Video. Can be rented from MoHA as part of Tech Package.
    • Hang and focus projectors
    • Hang monitors
    • Hang and/or shift screens
  • Chairs. Included in rental fee.
    • 15 Orange Theater seats
    • 20 Black Stools
    • 24 Lawn Chairs
  • Tables. Included in rental fee.
    • Not the most beautiful/clean

Staff

Most events require a fair number of staff outside of the artists involved. Keep in mind what you might need before, during, and after your event. MoHA is happy to help you find staff, but please account for all of these in your proposal.

  • Front of House
    • Door – Sell tickets, check people in, provide PPE, Stay out front for the duration of the performance, talk about the event and MoHA to members of the public.
    • Bar – MoHA does not have a liquor license, so all concession sales must be by donation only. Some organizers like to have a person or two work the bar.
      • Note: Event organizers are responsible for securing beverage sponsorships and/or providing concessions.
  • Production Staff
    • Fabrication/Design Labor – Build out MoHA to fit your event specifications.
    • Installation – Hang lights, build and move in set pieces,
    • Lighting Engineer – Program and run lights for your event.
    • Sound Engineer – Run sound at your event.
    • Production/Site Manager – Clean venue, set up venue, take out trash, put MoHA to bed, troubleshoot, provide day-of and on-site venue expertise.
    • Documentation (photo or video) – Take photos or videos during your event.

Ticketing & Promotion

MoHA uses Withfriends for all events, paid and RSVP. Using Withfriends allows us to

  • Gather visitor information.
  • Keep track of ticket sales and attendance.
  • Provide event organizers with accurate attendance information.

If you host a ticketed or RSVP event, we will handle setting up the Withfriends page, and will provide a ticket link to use in all materials. All ticketing is handled in-house, with split happening after the event.

Tickets

It is up to you how you ticket your event. We offer the following suggestions:

  • Set price – Tickets cost what they cost. We will handle all ticketing through Withfriends, after gathering information from you.
  • Sliding Scale – You can allow audiences to pay what they like for your event. The sliding scale can have:
    • Minimum – Set a minimum for your sliding scale. We recommend $5.
    • No Minimum – Let people pay what they want, including nothing. This sometimes confuses people.
  • Free (RSVP required) – The event is free but people must register on Withfriends. This way you can have a better idea of who attended, while still keeping your event free.

If your event has either sliding-scale or set-price tickets, MoHA and the event organizers will discuss and enter into a mutually agreed-upon arrangement for sharing ticket sales.

Promotion

MoHA will promote your event in our Newsletter, Discord, and on our Wiki.

Submit Your Event Inquiry

This event inquiry form is here. Fill it out and someone from MoHA will contact you about scheduling your event!

More Questions?

Contact Jay (they/them) at Jay@themuseumofhumanachievement.org