Thank you for your interest in renting time at Blackstone River Glass. Studios are available for rental
when there are no classes or other events in progress and staff are available.

Please read the following rental policies and procedures and sign this rental agreement, indicating that you agree to adhere to all policies and procedures stated below. Please let the Studio Manager know if you have any questions regarding these policies and procedures.

All Renters Must:

• Have approval from the Shop Manager to use each studio. Approval can be gained by completing appropriate coursework and/or demonstrating adequate knowledge to work safely and independently in the desired studio.
• Sign a waiver and the rental policies and procedures form annually. All gaffers and assistants
  must have a waiver on file.

Booking Time & Cancellation

• All rental slots must be booked in advance with Andrew. All rental requests will only be processed
  Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm. Please plan on giving at least a 24-hour notice for your rental request. 
• A minimum of 3 hours is required for each rental time slot and 24 hours for the kilns for each firing.
  Time slots may be shared with another renter. The primary renter who will be using the studio must be
  the name used to secure a spot on the schedule. It is up to the renter to notify staff of any special needs
  for their time slot.
• During rental time, the primary renter may bring in 2 additional people to assist.
• All renters are required to pay for their rental at the conclusion of their rental time.
• If you are late to your start time, you will be charged from the start time that is scheduled.
• Renters are welcome to work longer than their time slot; time and resources permitting.
• You must check with staff on site prior to doing so to assure that time is available. You will be charged the hourly rate for additional time.
• If you do not use all of your scheduled time (beyond the 3-hour min.), it is your responsibility to notify the Studio Manager either in person or by text of what time you left or you will
  be charged for the full time scheduled.
• If you schedule rental time and decide not to use it, you must cancel no later than 24 hours in advance
  of scheduled time.
• In the case of the hot shop, if your cancellation is made after the equipment has been turned on (roughly 1 hour before the scheduled start time), you will be charged for a full two-hour slot.
• Renters must settle any unpaid charges before booking future studio rentals.

Eligibility

• If you are new to renting a glass studio, you must first receive permission to work independently.
  Permission can be obtained either with a reference from one of the Blackstone River Glass instructors,
  or by arranging a brief interview with the Studio Manager. This interview process and a brief studio
  orientation are required in order to familiarize new renters with studio facilities, safety practices, and
  guidelines. This also establishes participation as a responsible member of the studio rental community.
• If you do not have any previous glass studio experience, you will be required to take classes assigned by the Blackstone River Glass Manager.
  

Safety & Conduct

• Studio participants are held to the same safety and civility standards as members of the staff. Because
  the Blackstone River Glass Center is contained in a building where many other businesses and studios
  are located, and because members of the public may be present, all rules for conduct and safety will be
  strictly enforced.
• Staff may bring specific issues to the attention of studio participants with full expectation that the issues will be respectfully addressed.
• Renters must adhere to proper safety
  procedures for the glass studio including safety glasses, proper use of tools, etc.
• Studio staff is here to help you and facilitate your experience. They are also here to enforce the studio
  participation guidelines in an effort to make everyone’s experience positive, productive, and injury free.
• Studio participants are expected to be respectful and compliant with staff regarding studio guidelines
  and rules.
• Renters must notify staff immediately if they are hurt or concerned for their safety.
• There is no smoking or vaping inside the building. A designated smoking area is located outside near the river. Please dispose of your butts properly.
• Renters are not to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while they are using the studios.
• If a renter is suspected of being under the influence or is creating a dangerous situation, Blackstone River Glass has the authority to tell them to stop working and leave the premises. Said renter will be charged for their full time slot and may not be allowed to rent in the future. Alcohol is not allowed on the hop shop floor.
• Music may be played but must be kept at a reasonable volume and appropriate for all ages during
  normal business hours. Blackstone River Glass gives tours during business hours and may request the
  music be turned off at any time.
  

Renter Expectations prior to starting the rental slot:

• The renter must have a signed waiver and policies and procedures form on file. This is updated annually.
• The renter must also have received approval to rent from a Studio Manager and have completed a
  studio orientation.

During the rental slot:

• Studios may be used/rented by others during your rental or after. Please be respectful of others using
  the studios.
• Pipes, punties and tools may be rented in addition. If you are using the studios pipes and tools, please
  be aware that these are labeled with orange tape
• Do not use the pipes and punties which are labeled
• You may not use BRGC color rod or Frit unless it was purchased through Rebecca. Clear glass usage is
  included in your rental up to 8 pounds per hour. Additional clear used after this amount is charged
  separately at $4.00 per pound.
• If you take a break during the time you are renting, you are still responsible for the time scheduled.
• At the end of the rental slot:
  Please make sure to leave the studios clean and tidy after your rental time. Renters that do not clean up
  after themselves will be charged a $25 clean up fee that must be paid prior to renting again. This
  includes but is not limited to putting the tools back where they were taken from (with the exception of
  hot pipes or molds), sweeping any spilled glass and/or surfaces, and moving equipment back to original
  positions.
• BRGC staff will unload annealers/kilns. Renters have 3 weeks to pick up work. Any work left on the
  renter’s shelf after 3 weeks will be discarded.
• If you cannot pick up your work within 3 weeks, contact BRGC Staff to make storage arrangements.
• Before your items go home with you, please weigh them at the scale behind the renter rack. There is a
  clip board there to record your weight. 8 lbs. an hour is included in your rental. $4.00 per lb. beyond
  must be paid before you take home you work. This includes any unusable items that can not be
  recycled

Rules and Regulations

• Renters are responsible for the care of tools which they use. Repeated abuse of tools or equipment will result in (1) verbal notice, (2) written notice, and (3) revocation of rental privileges.
• Renters must notify staff immediately if any piece of equipment or tool is damaged within the studio
  during their rental slot.
• Should the damage be due to negligence of the renter, you may be liable for the cost of repairing or replacing the tool that was damaged. BRGC staff will investigate and ascertain responsibility for damage on an individual basis as necessary.
• If it is determined to be the responsibility of the renter, damages must be paid in full prior to renting time again.
• Renters that notice previously damaged equipment, repairs needed or needed supplies should fill out a
  repairs request located to the left of the back door (if the Studio Manager isn’t available).
• If the Studio Manager is available, please notify the Studio Manager immediately. All Safety concerns should be communicated immediately. Phone numbers for this purpose are located on “Tech Support” sheet in Hot Shop if Studio Manager is not available in person.
• BRGC is not responsible for broken, stolen glass, or personal items.
  BRGC reserves the right to refuse glass studio privileges to anyone who does not comply with these
  policies and procedures.
• No refunds of fees will be given.

Liability & Safety

• Renter assumes full responsibility for their safety while using the studio and its equipment.
• The studio is not liable for personal injury, damaged or lost personal property.
• Misuse of tools or materials may result in damage fees or denial of future rental access.

Liability Release & Indemnity

I agree that BRGC LLC and its respective employees, directors, officers, volunteers, members, instructors, students and other participants (hereinafter, the "Released Parties") shall not be liable or responsible for injury to me (including paralysis or death) or damage to my property occurring during any BRGC LLC activities and resulting from acts or omissions occurring during the performance of the activities of the Released Parties, even where the damage or injury is caused by negligence (except willful neglect), including enroute to and from any class or event.

I understand and agree that I am participating voluntarily and at my own risk in all BRGC LLC activities and I assume all risks of injury and damage arising out of such activities. I release and hold the Released Parties harmless from any injury or loss to my person or property which may result from my participation in BRGC LLC activities and events. I further promise to bind myself jointly and severally, my heirs, administrators, and executors to repay the Released Parties any sum of money that they may hereafter be compelled to pay on behalf of myself.

I understand and agree that the instructor has the right to end the class session at any time, for any reason. Instructor will do so when, in his/her sole opinion, it would be unsafe to continue with the instruction. Instructor shall also have the right to terminate any individual's participation if, in the instructor's sole opinion, said person is acting in a manner hazardous to others.

I agree to not initiate any claim, lawsuit, court action, or other legal proceeding or demand against BRGC LLC or Released Parties, nor join or assist in the prosecution or any such claim for money or other damages which anyone may have, on account injuries (including death), losses, or damages sustained by me or other parties in connection with my participation in the Activity, and I waive any right I may have to do so. I waive my insurers' right to make a claim against BRGC LLC or Released Parties based on payments by insurers to me or on my behalf for any claims filed. This means my insurers have no rights of subrogation against BRGC LLC or Released Parties.

I agree to assume all financial responsibility for any medical, rescue or other expenses that I may incur or may be incurred on my behalf and agree to defend, hold harmless and indemnify BRGC LLC, its Released Parties for any loss or damage, including attorneys* fees, that they may suffer should I or anyone else on my behalf pursue an action or claim that is waived or barred by this release, waiver of liability and assumption of risk declaration or any other claim by or on behalf of me arising out of the Activity.

I understand BRGC LLC often photographs and/or makes other recordings of events occurring in the studio. Studio users expressly consent to their image, likeness, and voice being so captured and authorizes BRGC LLC to use said material for any purpose including all commercial, publicity and fundraising purposes. Studio users waive all claims for remuneration for said use whether based on invasion of privacy or any other reason.

In the instance that you have an allergy to dogs, we do like to make all students aware that we do have employee dogs at the studio from time to time.  

I fully understand and agree to the statement above and release liability and I further agree to waive all benefits flowing from any state statute that would negate or limit the scope of this release.

By signing this release, I certify that I have read this release and fully understand it and that I am not relying on any statements or representations made by the Released Parties.