Annex FAQ
Where is the Annex located?
The Fine Arts Building Annex rehearsal spaces are located at 410 S Michigan Avenue in Chicago’s south loop.
The Annex is located on the 3rd floor of the Fine Arts Building by way of elevator or stairs.
For what purpose are the spaces typically used?
Available for rehearsals, workshops, audition hosting, classes, or small events, the Annex rehearsal spaces at the Fine Arts Building is a unique and historic facility that can accommodate the short term needs of your company or production.
How many rehearsal spaces are available?
The Annex Studios include three unique rehearsal spaces that are available for use: Studio A, Studio B, and Studio C.
Is the Annex equipped with audio playback or wifi?
Wi-Fi is available throughout the Annex, and audio playback is available in each studio.
Is there a rehearsal piano available?
Yes. However, the rehearsal piano is only available in Studios B and C. Studio A is not equipped with a piano, and the pianos in Studio B and C cannot be moved.
Are tables, chairs, or music stands available?
The Fine Arts Building has a limited quantity of tables, chairs, and music stands that can be reserved with your rental, pending availability.
How large are the spaces?
| Length | Width | Ceiling | SF | Door | Max people | |
| Entry Door | — | 3′ 11″ | 7′ 2” | — | — | — |
| Studio A | 26′ 5″ | 21′ 2” | 9′ 10″ | 750 | 2′ 9″ x 7′ 10″ | 20 |
| Studio B | 42′ 6” | 20′ 4″ | 10′ 5″ | 1050 | 5′ 8″ x 6′ 10″ | 30 |
| Studio C | 59′ 5″ | 26′ 5″ | 10′ 7″ | 1500 | 2′ 8″ x 6′ 11″ | 45 |
What is the flooring of each studio?
Studio A: Brazilian cherry wood. Sprung subfloor.
Studio B: Ash. Sprung subfloor.
Studio C: Oak. Semi-sprung subfloor.
Are there other amenities available?
Large restrooms, washer/dryer ($1.50 each), and showers are available on the fifth floor of the building. Many single stall restrooms are located on floors 4 through 10. There are no restrooms within the dance studio spaces.
During winter months, our studio spaces are equipped with forced radiator heat. Air conditioning units are available in studios B and C. Window units are not possible in Studio A, which faces Michigan Ave, as mandated by city ordinance.
Is alcohol allowed?
The distribution or consumption of alcohol is not permitted in the Annex.
How are the spaces licensed?
Licensing can occur on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis. Depending on availability, custom scheduling is offered. (For example, every Saturday from 12:00 to 2:00 for one month.) Extended buyouts of our rehearsal spaces are also possible.
Rehearsal licenses last for a maximum duration of four months (16 weeks) and are renewable quarterly. For example, a license that begins in January will expire in April. To continue beyond April, a new license would need to be issued beginning in May.
What are the standard license rates?
| Hourly | Daily | Weekly | Monthly | |
| Studio A | $40.00 | $320.00 | $1,500.00 | $4,000.00 |
| Studio B | $50.00 | $400.00 | $2,000.00 | $7,000.00 |
| Studio C | $60.00 | $480.00 | $2,500.00 | $9,000.00 |
Definitions
Daily: between 6 and 8 hours
Weekly: ≥ 5 days in a single week
Monthly: consecutive weeks in a month
What are the Non-Equity Company / Small Organization license rates?
| Hourly | Daily | Weekly | Monthly | |
| Studio A | $30.00 | $240.00 | $1,100.00 | $3,750.00 |
| Studio B | $40.00 | $320.00 | $1,500.00 | $5,500.00 |
| Studio C | $50.00 | $400.00 | $2,000.00 | $7,500.00 |
Definitions
Daily: between 6 and 8 hours
Weekly: ≥ 5 days in a single week
Monthly: consecutive weeks in a month
How long can a hold be placed in the calendar?
Inquirers have 10 business days to confirm use of the space. After submitting the rehearsal inquiry form and indicating that a license is desired, a temporary hold is placed into the master calendar for the requested dates. If the requested dates are not available, you will be notified.
After 10 days, all holds are automatically released and made available to other potential renters.
What form of payment is accepted?
Currently we are able to accept payment through check or credit card. Credit card payments incur a 3.5% fee, plus fifteen cents. For example, a total for a license of $100.00 paid with credit card would be $103.65.
Payment details will be included with confirmed license information. Payment for rehearsal space must be collected in-full, no fewer than 7 days before license begins.
Are there other considerations before licensing?
Yes. Before you begin the process of submitting your licensing form, it may be helpful to know that licensees are required to purchase personal liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000.00 through the term of a license and any renewal period. Licensees must also name Fine Arts LLC, Arts Entertainment LLC, and Berger Realty Group LLC as additional insured thereunder.
Is the Annex accessible by wheelchair?
Currently the space is only accessible by way of three steps. While creating accommodations for our customers is important, permanent and/or temporary modifications of historic landmark buildings involve many stakeholders and formal, municipal implementation.
Fine Arts Building continues to strive for equal accessibility in all its facilities. Please let us know if you or your party use a wheelchair, walker, motorized scooter, or cane. If accommodations are possible, you will be notified in later correspondence.
What other accessibility information is available?
The Annex Studios are located on the 3rd floor of the Fine Arts Building, and are able to be reached by either elevator or stair. Please note that the only entrance to the Annex Studios is by way of three ascending steps.
Accessible restroom stalls are located one floor up, on the 4th floor. These are accessible by either elevator or stair.
Within the Annex Studios space, doorways and entrances are flat. The entrance to Studio A is a ramp which is 3′ 10″ at its narrowest. The hallway leading to Studio C is 5′ 4″ wide and passes through a 2′ 11″ wide doorway.
Doorway measurements are as follows:
Main entrance: 3′ 11″ wide by 7′ 2″ tall
Studio A: 2′ 9″ wide by 7′ 10″ tall
Studio B: 5′ 8″ wide by 6′ 10″ tall
Studio C: 2′ 8″ wide by 6′ 11″ tall
If you have any additional questions about accessibility, please contact us at rentals@fineartsbuilding.com. Thank you!
I am ready to rent! What are the steps and the process?
- Complete the Annex rental form on the rental page here.
- Ensure that your dates, times, and rental request information is correct before submitting the form. All required fields should be accurate before submitting your inquiry. You will not be able to resubmit or edit a form that is already in process.
- Please do not submit multiple forms regarding the same request; this is very important. Multiple submissions can severely delay processing as the information will have to be manually sorted and merged into a single file. This can add time to your overall inquiry and may delay communications from our offices. Details can be addressed in follow up correspondence from our office.
- Our rental representative will contact you via the email address you provided in your form submission. We will get back to your initial inquiry within 5 to 7 business days. Please ensure that responses do not land in your spam or junk folders.
- After our rental representative confirms availability, your inquiry will be moved into the licensing process. At this time, you will receive a digital copy of the Fine Arts Building Licensing agreement, complete with our terms and conditions and the applicable licensing fee. In order to secure your rental, this form should be returned as soon as possible. Licenses that are not returned within 7 days of receipt become null in our system.
The Fine Arts Building looks forward to meeting your rental requirements and welcomes you to our historic space.