Guide to Renting Space

Scheduling and Payment 

If it seems we may be able to accommodate your rental, our facilities staff will contact you directly with information on how to create an account with Skedda (the system we use to manage rentals), view studio availability, and book using our online Skedda calendar.  

Once your account is functioning, you will be able to see our space availability, make reservations, and pay online with a credit card. 

If credit card payments are not possible, please contact our Operations Specialist at 301-270-6700 ext 6; creativehub@danceexchange.org to make alternative payment arrangements. 

If for any reason you need to change or cancel your rental, please attempt to do so yourself on Skedda. If any issues arise contact our Operations Specialist at 301-270-6700 ext 6; creativehub@danceexchange.org. We provide cancellation refunds with at least 72 hour advance notice. Fewer than 72 hours notice will be considered on a case by case basis.

**Please confirm that the credit card listed with your account in Skedda is the right payment method for your bookings.

Weekly Billing

Rental fees are collected on the Monday, Wednesday, or Friday prior to your booking. For example, if you have a rental on Friday the 8th, payment will be collected on Wednesday the 6th. If you have a rental on Monday the 4th, payment will be collected on Friday the 1st.

Rules and Regulations 

Please closely read the following rules and regulations to ensure Dance Exchange remains a safe, sustainable, and accessible space for our whole community. Small tasks like sweeping and leaving the building as you found it are essential to our rental program. 

Renters agree to follow all of the following rules and regulations for studio use and to communicate these rules to all persons using the space (this include class attendees, performance ensembles, and anyone gathering with you). 

Failure to adhere to these rules will result in immediate cancellation of rental agreements.  

Please note: The dance floor in Studios 1, 2, and 3 has a $50,000 replacement cost and must be properly maintained. To reduce the risk of damage, renters must adhere strictly to these guidelines.  

Building Use  

1. Renter is responsible for leaving the space as they find it.  

2. Renter will keep sidewalks, entrances, passages, stairways, corridors, and public parts of the premises clear.  

3. Renter will regulate the noise level in the studio and will work with others on the premises to ensure that the volume kept at an agreeable level. 

4. Treat restroom facilities with care.  Trash damages the toilet. Please flush toilet paper only.  

5. Loading furniture or large items must take place during an agreed upon time, and must be approved for storage with Dance Exchange.   

6. Dance Exchange offers limited parking.  Renter is responsible for informing participants of parking restrictions.  

7. Smoking, burning, or combustion of any material (including incense and candles) and pyrotechnics are strictly prohibited at Dance Exchange.   

8. No animals or pets are allowed in the facility except service animals. 

9. The lobby, kitchenette, and loading dock are to be used primarily for passing-through. If you use those spaces in conjunction with your studio rental, please tidy after yourself and remove any trash. If you plan to host an event for more than 8 people that requires extended time in the lobby, kitchenette, or loading dock you must gain approval from Dance Exchange staff after a review of other activities in the building at that time.

Studio Use 

1. No nails or screws of any kind may be put into the dance floor, walls, ceiling, or fixtures. 

2. Scenery brought onto the dance floor must weigh less than 100 pounds and be transported on rubber wheels. Heavy/bulky items, items that must be dragged, and chairs that cannot be moved by one person alone are prohibited.  

3. Spike tape is the only tape allowed on the floors. Gaffers tape, scotch tape, masking tape, and duct tape leave behind a residue that is very difficult to remove and are therefore prohibited.  

4. Pointe shoe rosin is strictly prohibited on the dance floors. 

5. Projects involving glue, glitter, paint, or any substance that might adhere to the dance floor are not allowed. The lobby and loading dock are the only work areas available. 

6. Hard-soled shoes and street shoes are not allowed in the studios. 

7. Food and drink are prohibited in the studios.   

8. All renters must sweep the studio floor after use. Dust mops, brooms, and dustpans are provided by Dance Exchange and shared by all renters. Trash cans are located outside of studio 2 and the kitchen. 

9. A 15-minute gap time is enforced on Skedda when booking rentals. The gap between rentals is not to be used to extend your rental time. The 15 minutes is to be used to clean the room and prepare for the next renter.

Security and Lockup Procedures 

1. The building doors are scheduled to unlock 15 minutes before the start of your rental for a total of 30 minutes.  If your rental begins at 9:00am, the door will be unlocked from 8:45am-9:15am. 

2. Renter agrees to keep doors closed and secured at all times and to be responsible for opening the door for Renter’s guests. For the security of the building, avoid propping the door open unattended. Doors remain unlocked for the first and last fifteen minutes of the rental.  

3. Weekly renters at Dance Exchange, if deemed necessary, will be provided a key fob to the building if you would like.  Dance Exchange monitors the usage of key fobs. Please do not abuse access privileges to our building. 

4. Do not provide the key fob to anyone without consent from Dance Exchange or risk termination of your rental agreement.  

5. Failure to secure the building may result in termination of this agreement. 

6. Dance Exchange is not responsible for any material stored in the buildings between classes. Our lost and found is cleared quarterly.    

7. Renter agrees to pay all false alarm charges incurred as a result of Renter actions.

 General  

1. Dance Exchange does not in any way participate in the collection of any Renter class fees.  

2. Dance Exchange shall not be responsible to Renter for the non-observance or violation of any of these rules and regulations by any other Renter on the premises. 

3. Renters must be at least eighteen years of age (18) and an occupant of the Premises during the entirety of the rental period unless Renter obtains Dance Exchange’s written permission. 

4. Renters and all permitted occupants and guests of the Renter must obey federal laws, laws of the state of Maryland, and local laws now in force or which may hereafter be in force at all times while on the Premises. 

5. The Dance Exchange may change or add to these rules and regulations. Any such modifications shall be communicated in writing by the Dance Exchange to Renter. 

Cancellation 

Renter must give the Dance Exchange 3 days’ notice (72 hours) for event cancellations. During this timeframe, Renter is still liable for the rent. Any questions about these rules or about studio use should be addressed to Dance Exchange Operations Specialist (301) 270 – 6700, ext 6. or creativehub@danceexchange.org.

Cancellation Due to Inclement Weather 

Dance Exchange follows local governing agencies including the Montgomery County Public School Emergency Information system to determine inclement weather. In the event of inclement weather, it is the Renter’s choice to cancel or run their rental. DX will provide reimbursement on a canceled rental due to inclement weather if the renter reaches out to Dance Exchange staff. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Marketing Your Event 

1. All digital and print marketing should mention that your event is independently presented and not produced by Dance Exchange. 

2. All digital and print marketing should include renter contact information and clearly demonstrate the primary contact for the event.  

3. All digital and print marketing should include the official “Happening at Dance Exchange” logo.   

4. The “At DX” bulletin board and table in the DX lobby are available for your materials. These spaces are cleared periodically  – replenish as needed. 

5. We would like to feature you in our “Community and Creative Hub Spotlight” as part of our bi-weekly e-blasts.  Spotlights are shared in the order submitted, so avoid listing time-sensitive information.  To participate, fill out this form http://bit.ly/dxhubspotlight  

6. You are welcome to tag Dance Exchange on social media in promotion – we are on Facebook (@danceexchangelove) and Instagram (@danceexchange) – as long as it complies with the above. 

7. Dance Exchange has the right to remove materials or tags if materials and language do not comply with the above.  

8. Dance Exchange produces a monthly Community & Creative Hub newsletter. Each month, one rental group is featured in the Hub Spotlight. If you would like to be featured, please reach out to creativehub@danceexchange.org.

Insurance  

Dance Exchange may request some renters to have general liability insurance. For more information contact Dance Exchange’s Operations Specialist at (301) 270 – 6700, ext 6. or creativehub@danceexchange.org.

Maintenance 

Maintenance needs of the Premises or any other issues should be reported to Dance Exchange Facilities Coordinator at  (301) 270 – 6700, ext 2. or creativehub@danceexchange.org

Dance Exchange reserves the right to terminate this agreement at any time. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can shoes be worn in the space? Even for a fitness class?  
No shoes in the studio is the official policy. We make some concessions for older adults and certain Dance Exchange events. Under no circumstances should there be stilettos or hard soled shoes on the marley. There have been concessions made for some fitness classes. We allow some shoes if the shoes are soft-soled and only worn indoors. Renters sweep after using the space.  

Can we serve food or beverages?  
No food or beverages other than water may be taken into the studios. The lobby, kitchenette, and loading dock are to be used primarily for passing-through. If you use those spaces in conjunction with your studio rental, please tidy after yourself and remove any trash. If you plan to host an event for more than 8 people that requires extended time in the lobby, kitchenette, or loading dock you must gain approval from Dance Exchange staff after a review of other activities in the building at that time.

When is payment due? 
Please view the Scheduling & Payment section above.

Can I pay by cash or check? 
Special payment arrangements can be made by contacting our Operations Specialist directly at (301) 270 – 6700, ext 6. or creativehub@danceexchange.org.

I am looking for a class that happens at Dance Exchange, can your staff tell me information about it? 
We support our renters with a rental calendar. Please visit this page to view the calendar. The Dance Exchange Creative and Community Hub hosts many events. However, if this event is produced by a renter and not Dance Exchange, Dance Exchange staff cannot supply reliable information about it. Contact the organization offering the event directly for info.

What is the difference between a rehearsal and a class rate? 
The rehearsal rate is unique for each space and is reserved for rentals that collect no income from the event. The class rate is also different for each space and applies to gatherings in which tuition or fees are collected from those gatherings.

What are other ways to get involved with Dance Exchange? 
Sign up for our mailing list to hear about events and classes Dance Exchange offers here. 

How many people are allowed in the space? 
The Performance Lab (Studio 1) has space for 141 seated occupants and 45 active occupants. Maple Studio (Studio 2) has space for 54 seated occupants and 30 active occupants. The DX Lab (Studio 3) has space for 35 seated occupants and 15 active occupants.