Glass Studio Rental Policies

We work hard to consistently bring you a quality facility, materials, and staff at Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts. To ensure paramount safety for our patrons, staff, and equipment, we have compiled a list of rules and safety policies for our Minneapolis, MN, glass studio. Please read these so you are familiar with our regulations before renting studio space and time to ensure a safe and quality space for all glass enthusiasts to gather.

For your reference, a "renter" is anyone who uses Foci MCGA’s studio equipment; including tools, pipes, torches, or other glass forming utensils.

All Renters Must

Booking Glass Studio Rental Reservations

The Foci MCGA Rental Calendar can be found here. Create an account and sign into our reservation system.

A renter must book time with at least 24 hours advanced notice. In the event it's within 24 hours, the renter needs to call the studio to make the reservation. Renters can rent time in the Hot Shop at a minimum of a three-hour slot. It is up to the renter to indicate special needs on their rental slot in the description section on the reservation calendar.

View rental hours on our Contact Us page.

  • Renters should provide all necessary information as indicated on the reservation.

  • Special requests or notes should be indicated in the “description” section of the reservation.

If you are a new renter, please indicate this on your reservation. Studio staff need to sign off that new renters have gone through the studio orientations or a core class in order to work safely.

Renter Conduct

  • Renters are not permitted to operate any equipment at any time unless instructed to do so by Foci MCGA Staff.

  • Renters should notify staff immediately if they are hurt or concerned for their safety.

  • Our glass studio safety policies mandate the wearing of designated glasses and closed toe shoes while in all studios. N95 Particulate Respirator masks are highly recommended for any processes involving glass dust or powder.

  • Renters are encouraged to ask studio staff if they have any questions or need any help at any time during their rental slot. We want renters to be happy and successful.

  • Disrespectful or dangerous conduct is not permitted towards members, guests, employees, vendors, or property.

  • Rental items may not leave the premises to ensure they are available to other studio users.

  • Renters are not permitted to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while they are working in the Foci MCGA studios.

Cleaning After Your Glass Studio Rental

All studio users must clean up after themselves. Any work, materials, or supplies left unattended after working in the studio will be removed. As a general rule of thumb for a shared studio space, try to leave it better than you found it!

Cleaning must be completed during your rental time slot or class period in order to accommodate other studio renters, especially in the case of our higher traffic studio areas such as the hotshop. Please plan your time accordingly to avoid delaying another’s rental slot.

Failure to cleanup your rental area will result in an invoiced $57 cleaning fee.

Paying for Rental

You are required to check out with the staff on duty and pay before leaving.

Studio time is paid for in half hour increments. If renters exceed their reservation limit, but the excess is less than fifteen minutes, they will not be charged for this portion of time. If renters exceed their reservation limit by more than 15 minutes, they will be charged an additional half an hour.

The minimum rental rate for the Cold Shop, Classroom, Mold Room, and Flame Shop is half an hour.

Exceptions to the Rules

  • Renters are welcome to work longer than their scheduled blow slot, only if time on the rental calendar and resources are permitting. Otherwise, cleaning must be completed during your rental time slot or class period.

  • Renters are welcome to cancel their blow slot due to poor glass quality or malfunctioning equipment.

  • Renters are welcome to rent less than 3 hours if their blow slot falls before or after a pre-booked slot. These slots (less than 3 hours) are only available for day-of reservations and can be reserved day-of by calling the studio staff at 612-759-8476.

The Executive Director has the authority to override these glass studio safety policies and rules and can give verbal or written permission to any staff member or other Foci MCGA employee to do so.

Studio Rental Cancellation and Refund Policy

Hotshop Cancellations: Renters must cancel 24 hours before the scheduled slot to avoid a fee. If the renter cancels within 24 hours of their reservation, it will result in a $36 fee to cover operating costs. In the event a renter does not cancel their reservation and fails to notify the studio, they will be billed for the full amount of their rental reservation.

All Other Studio Cancellations: Cancellation fees are not enforced at this time. Please notify us for day-of changes so we can be make the rental time available to others.

Renters are first asked to call the studio and leave a message. If they cannot reach anyone by phone, they are asked to also email us at contact@mnglassart.org

Refunds for poor glass quality, malfunctioning equipment or terminating a reservation early are given at the discretion of the Studio Technicians or Executive Director.

Claiming Your Glass Work

  • Renters are not permitted to open a hotshop annealer to check for work unless given permission by studio staff.

  • Glass pieces are dated as they come out of the annealer and will be recycled or become Foci MCGA property if not picked up within 30 days after this date.