What are the Indie Artist Rehearsal Rates?
As part of our mission to provide affordable, accessible space to local indie artists, Bygone has prioritized offering the lowest rental rates in the city: $10/hr plus HST. While we don’t currently have a strict definition of what “indie” is, they are meant to provide space to artists who have low/no funding for projects at a rate lower than what that artist is earning for their craft: we don’t believe anything can be called “affordable” when it has a higher rate than minimum wage, since so many artists rely on minimum wage jobs to supplement their income, or find themselves essentially living off that amount due to the nature of the gig economy.
we don’t believe anything can be called “affordable” when it has a higher rate than minimum wage
Who can access this rate and for what?
Artists of any discipline can access our IAR rates for things where they are not collecting money while being there. For example, auditions, rehearsals, or set painting are allowed – paid performances or workshops that are charging people to be there do not qualify for these rates.
Are these rates available all the time?
At the moment, no. Essentially, we can’t afford that. Right now, these rates are available when other people will already be in and using the space, but are ok with having something going on in the flex space. This way no one has to be paid to be on site as staff, and we aren’t being charged extra for use of the HVAC (something that we have in our lease). Our goal is to raise $250,000 to cover ALL expenses over the course of our lease – rent, maintenance, staffing, programming – if we succeed in doing so, then we will be able to properly subsidize the rent, and all indie artists will have access to $10/hr space for everything, all the time space is available.
Our goal is to raise $250,000 to cover ALL expenses…if we succeed…all indie artists will have access to $10/hr space for everything, all the time space is available.
I can’t even afford $10/hr, can’t you give it to us for free?
Unfortunately, no. As a charity, we can’t provide a benefit to someone/something that is outside of our purposes or isn’t a grantee. Plus, there are costs associated with just having the space, and Bygone Theatre has no operational funding. Our Executive Director, Emily Dix, is currently volunteering on a full-time basis to get things up and running, and scores of other volunteers have dedicated their time, skills and resources to help build up The Bridge. There are occasionally opportunities for energy share exchanges, where artists can volunteer their time to work on a Bygone project in exchange for free or discounted use of the space – contact us if you want to learn more.
How do I book the space at these rates?
For now, we will post specific times when these rates are available, and emails sent to rentals@379thebridge.com will be granted time on a first come, first serve basis. If we are successful with our funding a more stream-lined online system will be put in place, but for now you’ll be booking through Emily.
- E.
Bygone Theatre 