The Back Studio

The Back Studio is a hireable space situated at 6 Washington Street, South Hobart. It used to be the home of Wide Angle Tasmania. With the support of the City of Hobart, Soho Arts is managing this space with specific aims and objectives.

This venue will support community and cultural organisations requiring blocks of time for specific activities. The minimum hire is a half day (5hrs) however priority will be given to longer hire periods specifically to support the following types of multiday/weekly activities.

• film festivals

• rehearsals

• workshops and courses

• intimate performances (with bump in and out time)

• creative and professional development projects

Important information to know

• Access - There is very limited accessible access. The main door is up steps and whilst there is a temporary ramp at the back door suitable for strollers, and trolleys. To access the toilet inside there is a step down and there is no accessible toilet. There is a public accessible toilet on the street front. Some people will be able to work around these restrictions. The building is on a list for upgrading. If you need more information do get in touch.

• The Studio backs onto the South Hobart Football Oval. Games take place over the weekend (Feb - Sept) and some games charge a fee which requires locking the back gate and restricting access to the back door of the Studio. Be mindful of this if you need to lug heavy gear in and out the back access. You can check HERE.

• Parking - is free up that part of Soho but depending on whether there is a footy game scheduled or a party in the next-door playground finding a park can sometimes be tricky. Talk to us if you have an event as parking at our Weld St site might be possible. It’s 3 blocks away.

Back Studio Hire Rates

Priority will be given to local community and not for profit organisations and non commercial activities run by individuals whose activities most align with the objectives of the Centre. Not sure get in touch.

Community / unfunded

Not for profit organisations or groups and individuals running activities where there is no significant project funding from grants etc and no fees are charged e.g. rehearsals and creative development.

Half Day 8am - 2pm or 3 - 9pm

• $75

Full Day

• $110

3 Days

• $250

7 Days

• $450

Prices are inclusive of GST

Commercial rates available on application for larger commercial companies and government departments.

City of Hobart successful grant recipients are entitled to the non funded rates

HOW TO HIRE

1. Check the Calendar that your dates are free

2. Read the Terms & Conditions below to ensure your activity complies

3. Fill out the booking form

4. Confirmation of receiving your booking comes in a form of an invoice. Bookings are not confirmed until payment is made.

5. Within 24 hrs of your hire dates you will receive a key code, user guide and any additional info relevant to your booking.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

COVID

Events must comply with State Government Covid regulations.

BOOKINGS

Bookings can only be made by filling out the booking form through the booking link. Bookings are not confirmed until an invoice is issued and payment is made. 

PAYMENT

Hire fees must be paid by transfer to the nominated bank account detailed on the invoice. Cash and credit card facilities are not available.

DEPOSITS

In addition to payment, a cleaning bond of $100 may be required for any events serving food and beverage which will be returned if the venue is left clean and as it was prior to use.

CANCELLATION & REFUNDS

All refunds attract a $10 admin fee.

No refunds should the hire be cancelled less than three weeks prior to the hire period unless someone else hires the venue for the same time.

Please note that cancellations due to COVID are the responsibility of the hirer and not the venue unless a lockdown is mandated by government, the regular cancellation policy will apply.

CAPACITY

The maximum number of people (including children) must not exceed the capacity in the venue description.

INSURANCE - PUBLIC LIABILITY AND LOSS DAMAGE

All hirers are to have insurance cover for Public Liability $10mil.

SOHO ARTS takes no responsibility for any equipment, goods and effects brought onto the premises by the hirer and/or the hirer’s representatives, (including consequential or special damage) to the Hirer, the Hirer’s property or anyone using SOHO ARTS during the hire period.

SECURITY & SAFETY

It is the responsibility of the hirer to be in attendance in the hall at all times that it is open during their rental period. Hirers will be instructed in security procedures. The Hirer is responsible for the safe return of keys to the key safe. The hirer must maintain possession and control of any issued keys or codes and cannot pass them on to any other person. If keys are lost, the Centre Manager must be notified immediately, as locks may need to be changed. Any costs will be passed on to the hirer. All doors and windows are to be secured at the end of each day and all lights are to be turned off. Fire exits and common passageways are automatically on at all times.

ALARM

If the Hirer should set off the security alarm or the fire alarm when there is no cause, either by accident or misunderstanding and a call out is required any charges associated will be the responsibility of the Hirer.

FIRE & EVACUATION

The Hirer must familiarise themselves with SOHO ARTS’s evacuation plan and nominate a chief fire warden in the event of evacuation. 

NOISE

The use of amplified instruments is not allowed in the Weld Street property and SOHO ARTS reserves the right to cancel any booking causing excessive noise or showing lack of consideration for the general public or nearby residents. The Hirer is responsible for the conduct of their guests. It is the Hirer’s responsibility to ensure all their guests leave the premises in a timely fashion after the event, and with consideration to residential neighbours, especially noise in the car park in the evenings.

CLEANING

Hirers are expected to clean the premises after use, including sweeping and mopping floors and wiping down surfaces, and ensuring toilets are left hygienic and unsoiled. Should a cleaner be required the hirer will be charged at $99. Non-payment of any additional cleaning fees will automatically cancel any future booking and prevent new ones until the bill is cleared.

Event hirer’s must remove all their rubbish and recycling from the site.

EQUIPMENT

All equipment, chairs, tables, and kitchen, are to be returned to appropriate storage spaces at the completion of the hire period (unless otherwise negotiated).

All technical and electrical equipment brought onsite by the hirer must have current tag and test certification and pass a visual inspection by staff. Additional kitchen appliances cannot be used onsite.

All equipment brought into the venue by the hirer must be removed at the end of the hire period (unless otherwise negotiated) otherwise storage fees will be charged.

POSTERS & TAPE & GLITTER

No materials may be fastened to any paintwork, stonework or the facade of the buildings including the blackboards, using blu tac style products or sticky tape or tape of any kind. Blu tac can only be used on glass surfaces.

No tape of any kind can be used on the floor, it pulls up the varnish. Any damage repair costs will be the responsibility of the hirer.

No glitter or related glitter products they are really really bad for the environment.

DISPOSABLES

All food service using disposable containers and utensils must be certified compostable. Please no plastic "micro-bead" and products such as balloons, flags and promotional paraphernalia and plastic single use water bottles. 

SMOKING

SOHO ARTS is a non-smoking complex, so smoking is prohibited. The hirer shall ensure that all those associated with the activity and all members of the public comply with this condition. Smokers should be directed to the street front and asked to depose of butts in the bins.

ALCOHOL

If you wish to serve alcohol at your event you must seek prior approval, in writing, to the Centre Manager. All events SELLING alcohol must obtain a Special Liquor Permit from the Department of Treasury and Finance – Liquor and Gaming. Anyone serving alcohol must have their Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA). A copy of the Liquor Permit and RSA Certificate/s must be provided to the Centre Manager. Please discuss with the Centre Manager when making your booking.

FIRES & CANDLES

Fire and/or candles are not permitted anywhere. Some exceptions may be made under very special circumstances and only after prior approval.

PROPERTY

The Hirer must not alter the premises in any way, including painting, applying adhesive materials, or inserting nails or hooks in walls or ceilings; fix any placard, notice or sign for advertising or any other purpose that may damage the building.

The Hirer must pay for the reasonable cost of any repairs required from the Hirer’s use of the Centre, including furniture, fixtures and equipment.

INDEMNITY

The Hirer shall indemnify SOHO ARTS and all its agents against all actions and proceedings, claims and demands arising from the Hirer’s use of the premises. 

BREACH

If you breach any of the terms in this agreement, we may cancel your hire agreement and forfeit any monies paid, and sue for damages. 

ADVERTISING YOUR EVENT

When telling people about your event or activity please refer to the venue as the SOHO ARTS Back Studio.

REGULARS

Whilst it is understood that regular access to the hall may be very desirable for some hirers, the Centre does not want opportunities to be missed for special events. Regular bookings therefore need to be flexible if such a special event should arise. These will be discussed with hirers on a case-by-case basis if and when required.

The Centre Manager will manage all hall hire applications in accordance with the Centre's hall hire policy.  In the unlikely event of an application is refused, the applicant can appeal to the Board. The Board decision is final and no other correspondence will be entered into.