Glass Studio Rentals, Services, & Pricing
Foci MCGA features a fully equipped hot shop facility, with space and equipment for flameworking, neon bending, kilnforming, stained glass, mosaic, neon, coldworking, and casting. Whether you are a glass pro or just getting started in the art form, we can accommodate you with our studio rentals in Minneapolis, MN! Come by for a tour during our public access gallery hours and we are happy to show you around our facilities and discuss how our nonprofit can support your glass practice! Below is a breakdown of what we have available in our studio and pricing, but feel free to reach out for more information at contact@mnglassart.org
To reserve studio shop time, qualified renters can visit our reservation system:
Hot Shop Reservations Classroom & Kilnroom Worktable Reservations Mold Room Reservations Kiln Shop Reservations Flame Shop Reservations Student Bench Reservations Cold Shop Reservations
Online Hot Shop reservations must be made in 3 hour increments. Shorter sessions may be available for day-of reservations - call the studio to find out: 612-759-8476. All glass studio rental time is paid for at the studio before departing during check out. Please bring your own consumable items and materials.
Hot Shop Rental
Renters are welcome to use the shared tools and equipment provided in the Hot Shop, but are required to bring their own consumable materials such as frit. Studio users are required to wear appropriate personal protection equipment specific to the activity while working (outlined below).
(5) Glory Holes/Reheating Units *During the hottest summer months, rental is limited to two benches at a time for heat management.
(3) 16” Medium Glory Holes (Benches #1-#3)
(1) 10” Extra Small Glory Hole (Bench #4)
(1) 24” Extra Large Glory Hole - available by request for large work (Bench #4) reserve by emailing contact@mnglassart.org at least 24 hours in advance and including a note on your calendar reservation.
(2) 400lb capacity furnace; molten glass is always ready to use (Bomma Cullet 96 COE)
(4) Annealers (36”w x 27”h x 29”d) See kiln pricing section for extra annealing space or longer programs. Standard included cycle is approximately 18 hrs.
(2) Pick-up ovens (can be used to preheat color bar)
(2) Garages
(1) Powder Ventilation Booth *required for all powder usage in the studio
Oxy-GasTorches (Ranger and Mid-Range)
Gas Bench Torches (Fluffy Torch)
Hand tools, optic molds, wood blocks, pipes and punties
Gloves, protective sleeves, and sanitized safety glasses
Detachable Bernzomatic Torch head for Mapp Gas cylinders (bring your own canister)
Consumables available for purchase on-site: Protective sleeves, Blowhoses, and replacement tubing/mouthpieces for blowhoses. Membership discounts do not apply for consumable items.
| $56/hour | |
| $66/hour | |
| $70/hour | |
| 50% off Hot Shop Rental | |
| $8/hour | |
| $5/hour | |
| $8/hour | |
| $5/pound, no discounts | |
| $24 / 24"x16" | |
| $24/person, no discount | |
| $36/reservation, no discount | |
| $50/reservation, no discount |
For hot popping and flame polishing glassblown pieces, studio users should rent the Flame Shop. See pricing below. For casting in the hotshop, see pricing below.
Required PPE during Hot Shop rental: PPE may be checked out from Foci MCGA staff.
Safety glasses, non-flammable clothing (cotton), closed-toed shoes. Shoes/boots that cover and protect ankles are highly suggested to protect from cuts. Shorts that reach the knee are suggested to protect from burns.
For loading into the annealer use kevlar gloves or sleeves with tongs, face shield, and welding jacket to protect from burns and hair damage.
Powder booth is required when using powdered or very fine glass or color in the Hot Shop.
Flame & Neon Shop Rental
Renters are welcome to use the shared tools and equipment provided in the Flame Shop, but are required to bring their own consumable materials such as color rods. Sanitized didymium glasses are available for use, as well as shared tools and tables. Foci MCGA provides cleaning supplies. Studio users are required to wear appropriate personal protection equipment specific to the activity while working (outlined below).
Flameworking & Beadmaking
(6) Bethlehem Burners Minor/Major torches- “The Stacks”
(2) Small flameworking kiln
(1) Large flameworking kiln
(1) Scientific Lathe *requires separate scheduled safety orientation with Studio Tech. Email isaac.theobald@mnglassart.org to schedule.
Assorted mandrels for beadmaking
Consumables available for purchase on-site: Borosilicate rods (4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 12mm, 12.7mm, 26mm), borosilicate tubing (26mm), blowhoses, and replacement swivels/tubing/adaptors for blowhoses. Membership discounts do not apply for consumable items.
Neon Bending
(4) 17” Ribbon burners
(1) Cannon-fire
(2) Hand Torches
A variety of didymium glasses and shades can be checked out from staff
Tube Pumping Services: By reservation only and subject to availability. No walk-ins. Email isaac.theobald@mnglassart.org to schedule.
Consumables available for purchase on-site: Transformers, endcaps, electrodes, GTO (per foot), clear soft glass tubes (per 4 ft), blowhoses, and replacement tubing/mouthpieces for blowhoses. Membership discounts do not apply for consumable items.
| $18/hour | |
| $26/hour | |
| $3/hour | |
| $3.50/hour | |
| $7.75/hour | |
| $30/hour, no discount | |
| 50% off Flame Shop Rental | |
| $24/person, no discount | |
| $24/person, no discount | |
| $30/reservation, no discount |
| $18/hour | |
| 50% off Neon Torch Rental | |
| $24/person, no discount | |
Required PPE during Flame Shop rental: Didymium glasses, closed-toed shoes, non-flammable clothing. Longer hair must be tied back. Safety glasses, non-flammable clothing (cotton), closed-toed shoes. Shoes/boots that cover and protect ankles are highly suggested to protect from cuts. Shorts that reach the knee are suggested to protect from burns. PPE may be checked out from Foci MCGA staff.
Cold Shop Rental
Renters are welcome to use the shared tools and equipment provided in these spaces, but are required to bring their own consumable materials such as duct tape or cerium. Sanitized safety glasses are available for use, as well as shared tools and tables. Foci MCGA provides cleaning supplies. Studio users are required to wear appropriate personal protection equipment specific to the activity while working (outlined below).
(2) Loose grit flatting wheels
(1) 24” magnetic pad flatting wheel
(1) 4 station - 12” magnetic pad flatting machine
(1) Cutting lathe
(1) Handheld die grinder
(2) Wet saws
(2) Upright belt sander
(1) Sandblaster
(1) Tabletop wire saw
(6) Tabletop flat glass grinders
(2) Engraving lathes *requires separate scheduled safety orientation with Studio Tech. Email isaac.theobald@mnglassart.org to schedule.
Consumables available for purchase on-site: Cerium. Membership discounts do not apply for consumable items.
| $18/hour | |
| 100% off Cold Shop Rental | |
| $30/reservation, no discount | |
| $24/person, no discount | |
| $24/person, no discount | |
Required PPE: Clear safety glasses, closed-toed shoes, ear protection, and no dangling clothing or jewelry. Shoes/boots that cover and protect ankles are highly suggested to protect from cuts. Vinyl apron and waterproof footwear is recommended. Dust mask or particulate respirator is highly recommended when using sandblaster to protect respiratory health. Latex, nitrile, or rubber gloves must be worn when handling liquid solvents, adhesives, etching creams, etc. PPE may be checked out from Foci MCGA staff.
Class Room Rental
Class Room work tables are available for mosaic work, stained glass, flat glass cutting, gluing and assembling, and set up and preparation. Renters are welcome to use the shared tools provided in these spaces, but are required to bring their own consumable materials such as sheet glass and frit, adhesives, grout, tape, solder, patina, etc. Studio users are required to wear appropriate personal protection equipment specific to the activity while working (outlined below).
(8) Glass Cutting Kits (scoring tool, grozing pliers, running pliers, frit scoop)
(8) Stained Glass Soldering Irons
(6) Tabletop flat glass grinders
(3) Morton Glass Cutting System
Various tools such as scissors, rulers, palette knives, tweezers
Sanitized safety glasses are available for use, as well as shared tools and tables. Foci MCGA provides cleaning supplies.
In some cases, if the Classroom is occupied, the Kiln Room work table is available to rent instead.
Consumables available for purchase on-site: Bullseye Thin Fire Paper (20.5” x 20.5” sheet). Membership discounts do not apply for consumable items.
| $18/hour | |
| 100% off Classroom Rental | |
| $30/reservation, no discount | |
| $24/person, no discount |
Required PPE: Shoes/boots that cover and protect ankles are highly suggested to protect from cuts. Mixing or handling powders must be done in the Mold Room powder booth. Latex, nitrile, or rubber gloves must be worn when handling liquid mold materials. Safety glasses must be used when handling glass. An apron is recommended. Latex, nitrile, or rubber gloves must be worn when handling liquid solvents, adhesives, etc. PPE may be checked out from Foci MCGA staff.
Mold Room Rental
The Mold Room is available for rental and is well equipped with moldmaking and wax working tools. Renters are welcome to use the shared tools provided in these spaces, but are required to bring their own consumable materials such as wax or plaster. Studio users are required to wear appropriate personal protection equipment specific to the activity while working (outlined below).
(1) Powder Booth
(2) Wax Pots *must be attended at all times while on
(1) Mold Steamer *must be attended at all times while on
Sanitized safety glasses are available for use, as well as shared tools and tables. Foci MCGA provides basic cleaning supplies.
Required PPE: A dust mask or particulate respirator must be used when mixing dry mold material. Mixing must be done in the Mold Room powder booth. Latex, nitrile, or rubber gloves must be worn when handling liquid mold materials. Safety glasses must be used when handling glass. An apron is recommended. Latex, nitrile, or rubber gloves must be worn when handling liquid solvents, adhesives, etching creams, etc. PPE may be checked out from Foci MCGA staff.
| $18/hour | |
| 100% off Mold Room Rental | |
| $40/reservation, no discount | |
| $24/person, no discount |
Kiln Shop Rental
Renters are welcome to use the shared tools provided in the Cold Shop, but are required to bring their own consumable materials such as sheet glass, frit, duct tape, etc.
Studio users are required to wear appropriate personal protection equipment specific to the activity while working (outlined below).
(1) Rectangular top loading kiln with top and side elements for fusing and casting (41” x 27” x 15”)
(2) Oval top loading kilns with top and side elements for fusing and casting (41” x 22.5” x 11.25”)
(1) Octagon top loading kiln with side elements for fusing and casting (17” x 17” x 21”)
(1) Front loading Paragon kiln with top elements for fusing and casting (24” x 24” x 15”)
(1) Round top loading Jen-Ken Kiln with side elements for fusing and small castings (14.5” x 14.5” x 5.5”)
(2) Work Tables
Consumables available for purchase on-site: Bullseye Thin Fire Paper (20.5” x 20.5” sheet). Membership discounts do not apply for consumable items.
| $4.20/hour | |
| $3.00/hour | |
| $48.00/24 hour | |
| $33/24 hour | |
| $82/48 hour | |
| $55/48 hour | |
| $18.00/hour | |
| 50% off Kiln Rental | |
| $30/reservation, no discount | |
| $40.00/kiln, no discount | |
| $30/kiln, no discount | |
| $24/person, no discount |
Required PPE: Safety glasses, gloves are recommended when handling glass, closed-toed shoes, dust mask or particulate respirator required when preparing kiln shelves and using powders, and sifting sand. Shoes/boots that cover and protect ankles are highly suggested to protect from cuts. Kevlar gloves, protective sleeves, and face shield required when charging a kiln or manipulating glass at a high temp. PPE may be checked out from Foci MCGA staff.
Hot Casting Rental
Hot Casting Reservations must be approved by staff 1 week prior to rental to ensure proper glass supply and staffing.
Studio users are required to wear appropriate personal protection equipment specific to the activity while working and have adequate assistance.
Base rental prices includes 1 workstation, 1 furnace at 2250°, ⅕ annealer space per 3 hours, access to sand and graphite slabs and ladles.
Renters are required to pay for all glass used. Castings and ladle waste will be weighed by staff and renter will be invoiced.
A personal annealer is required for sand casting or if needing extra space or an extended annealing program, cleaning fee may apply.
A staff assistant may be required depending on team size/renter’s experience level.
Required PPE during Hot Shop rental: PPE may be checked out from Foci MCGA staff.
Safety glasses, non-flammable clothing (cotton), closed-toed shoes. Shoes/boots that cover and protect ankles are highly suggested to protect from cuts. Shorts that reach the knee are suggested to protect from burns. For loading into the annealer use kevlar gloves or sleeves with tongs, face shield, and welding jacket to protect from burns and hair damage.
Powder booth is required when using powdered or very fine glass or color in the Hot Shop.
| $75/hour | |
| $66/hour | |
| $58/24 hour | |
| $4.20/hour | |
| $8/hour | |
| $5/pound, no discount | |
| $60/reservation, no discount | |
| $24/person, no discount | |
| $36/reservation, no discount | |
| $25/hour, no discount |
Scheduling Instructions: Email the Lead Studio Technician isaac.theobald@mnglassart.org directly to schedule a hot casting rental slot. Availability may be limited and depends on glass supply.