Host an Event at MoHA

Purpose

This guide provides an overview of everything you need to host a successful event at MoHA.

Note: Before you submit an event inquiry form, you must certify that you have read this article.

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?

If your event is mission-aligned, we can be talked into hosting just about anything! However, there are a few types of events that we do shy away from, such as:

• Traditional concerts that would work better at a bar/venue
• Festivals or Multi-day Events. We rarely host these without substantial conversation with the organizers.

If your event is one of these, but you feel like MoHA is the perfect place to host it, go ahead and submit an inquiry! We’d love to read it.

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.

Resource	Cost	Notes
Venue	Variable, depending on budget and needs. Typically: $100/hr.	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 $300/day.	For any use of MoHA resources, this includes: Lights Audio Projectors Computers etc For a complete list, see: MoHA Inventory.
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 organized by participants of MoHA programs, including our Producer Program, which provides donated space and resources for event organizers. More information on our Producer Program will be available soon.

Before You Submit Your Event Request

Don't forget to volunteer twice and complete any required training! Then, 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 (Available soon). We understand that budgets are a constantly moving target. You do not need to submit a finalized budget. We will work with you on this aspect.
  • Will you need to find labor or technicians through MoHA? If so, please account for our in-house rates.
• 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

Hiring Labor or Technicians

Do you need someone to run lights, sound, and/or video for your event? For more advanced technical positions, MoHA requires organizers to work with professionals from our approved contractor list and/or hire someone who works professionally in the advanced technical fields above. We define professionally as being paid on a semi-regular basis for the skills outlined in one or more live production venues or events. Some examples: sound, lights, projection, skilled construction and install, etc.

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.

Whatever area you use, the space is completely neutral, a blank canvas. When you propose an event, it is important that you understand everything it takes to transform MoHA into the venue 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
  • Cables
• Video. Can be rented from MoHA as part of Tech Package.
  • Hang and focus projectors
  • Hang monitors
  • Hang and/or shift screens
  • Cables & adaptors
• Chairs. Included in rental fee.
  • 15 Orange Theater seats
  • 20 Black Stools
  • 24 Lawn Chairs
• Tables. Included in rental fee.
  • Not the most beautiful or 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. Any alcohol available to the public must be served by a TABC certified bartender and access to alcohol may not be tied to a ticket price or cost of admission. Note: Event organizers are responsible for staffing their bar if they choose to have one and they are responsible for securing beverage sponsorships and/or providing concessions.
    • 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 requires organizers to use Withfriends for event tickets, 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. Organizers will be provided a private link to access real-time attendance and to check in during the event. All ticketing is handled in-house.

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.

Payout

Payouts will occur within 7 days after an event. All organizers must submit a W9 form, and MoHA can settle via PayPal, direct deposit, or Venmo.

Promotion

MoHA will promote your event in our Newsletter, Discord, and on our Wiki. More details can be found on our Social Media Handbook.

Submit Your Event Inquiry

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

Deadlines

We accept proposals on a rolling basis. Our Producer Program (more info will be available soon) accepts proposals through an open call.

Note: Although we accept proposals on a rolling basis, we ask that you submit your event inquiry to use in minimum 8 weeks in advance.

Please respect the following deadlines:
8 weeks prior to event - Our preferred deadline to submit an event inquiry.
6 weeks prior to event - Our preferred deadline to draft and mutually approve a budget and rental agreement.
5 weeks prior to event - Our preferred deadline to amend or update budget, production, and rental agreement.
4 weeks prior to event - Our preferred deadline to receive your event info.
3 weeks prior to event - Drop dead deadline to submit your event info. If you miss this deadline, you forfeit the event hold date and will have to reschedule for another time.
2 weeks prior to event - Drop dead deadline for emailing any edit requests, like updated event information or promotional materials, to jay@themuseumofhumanachievement.com.
2 weeks after the event - Our internal deadline for financial settlement with organizers pending the receipt of all information.

Organizer Event Entry

Your event inquiry has been approved by MoHA Staff, which means that you have an event hold date. However, you must submit to the Organizer Event Entry form to confirm and solidify your event at MoHA.

More Questions?

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