Open Forum

Does anyone have experience with performance groups in their museum? Are there restrictions on who can perform? Do you have guidelines for the groups that you'd be willing to share? (Are they allowed to bring instruments? Is there a size limit? Using public spaces vs private? etc). Thank you!

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Emmy French
Assist. Dir., Museum Operations
Army Historical Foundation
Arlington VA
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Emmy,

We have been back and forth on this request as well. While we welcome performance groups and the add-on they provide for our guests, it also takes time, energy and resources to make it happen. Here are some guidelines we have used in the past:

• A performance space is provided at a specific time of day with an advanced group reservation (minimum of 12 people).
• COSI will provide:
  • A designated performance area equipped with a stage that holds up to 10 people, plus floor space in front of the stage. Stage is 12'x16'
  • Benches that seat up to 20-30 people (can be used by performers or the audience)
  • Limited access to power (i.e. a boom box)
  • One corded mic
  • A listing on COSI's daily show schedule so guests know when your group is performing
  • 30 minutes of performance time, with 15 minutes of set up before and 15 minutes of tear down afterwards. Performances must end prior to 2:30 PM.
• COSI is unable to provide or accommodate:
  • Risers
  • Additional mics, speakers, or monitors
  • WiFi
  • Green rooms
  • Chairs or tables
• Bus parking is $10 and all cars or vans should expect to pay up to $5/vehicle in our parking lots. Upon arrival, the leader of the group should check-in at the Guest Services Desk near the Level 1 main entrance. A Guest Services Team Member will then direct them to the performance area.
• Performers must come dressed to perform (changing rooms are not available).
• Drinks/snacks are available for purchase at the Atomic Café or the concession stand.
• Lockers are available for storage needs and require two quarters.

Hope this helps. We also allow their friends family to come in and watch for free, but if they want to stay and explore the museum, they do have to pay.

------------------------------
Melissa Sarver
Call Center Manager
COSI
Columbus OH
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-26-2019 09:20 AM
From: Emmy French
Subject: Performance Groups

Does anyone have experience with performance groups in their museum? Are there restrictions on who can perform? Do you have guidelines for the groups that you'd be willing to share? (Are they allowed to bring instruments? Is there a size limit? Using public spaces vs private? etc). Thank you!

------------------------------
Emmy French
Assist. Dir., Museum Operations
Army Historical Foundation
Arlington VA
------------------------------

Are you talking about inviting performance groups for your museum guests, or, organizations using your facility and bringing in performance groups?  Peace,

------------------------------
Sheila Arnold
Teaching Artist
Hampton VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 07-29-2019 01:17 PM
From: Melissa Sarver
Subject: Performance Groups

Emmy,

We have been back and forth on this request as well. While we welcome performance groups and the add-on they provide for our guests, it also takes time, energy and resources to make it happen. Here are some guidelines we have used in the past:

• A performance space is provided at a specific time of day with an advanced group reservation (minimum of 12 people).
• COSI will provide:
  • A designated performance area equipped with a stage that holds up to 10 people, plus floor space in front of the stage. Stage is 12'x16'
  • Benches that seat up to 20-30 people (can be used by performers or the audience)
  • Limited access to power (i.e. a boom box)
  • One corded mic
  • A listing on COSI's daily show schedule so guests know when your group is performing
  • 30 minutes of performance time, with 15 minutes of set up before and 15 minutes of tear down afterwards. Performances must end prior to 2:30 PM.
• COSI is unable to provide or accommodate:
  • Risers
  • Additional mics, speakers, or monitors
  • WiFi
  • Green rooms
  • Chairs or tables
• Bus parking is $10 and all cars or vans should expect to pay up to $5/vehicle in our parking lots. Upon arrival, the leader of the group should check-in at the Guest Services Desk near the Level 1 main entrance. A Guest Services Team Member will then direct them to the performance area.
• Performers must come dressed to perform (changing rooms are not available).
• Drinks/snacks are available for purchase at the Atomic Café or the concession stand.
• Lockers are available for storage needs and require two quarters.

Hope this helps. We also allow their friends family to come in and watch for free, but if they want to stay and explore the museum, they do have to pay.

------------------------------
Melissa Sarver
Call Center Manager
COSI
Columbus OH

Original Message:
Sent: 07-26-2019 09:20 AM
From: Emmy French
Subject: Performance Groups

Does anyone have experience with performance groups in their museum? Are there restrictions on who can perform? Do you have guidelines for the groups that you'd be willing to share? (Are they allowed to bring instruments? Is there a size limit? Using public spaces vs private? etc). Thank you!

------------------------------
Emmy French
Assist. Dir., Museum Operations
Army Historical Foundation
Arlington VA
------------------------------