Can I bring food to The Foundry?
Yes, you can bring food to The Foundry and eat in any of the rooms except the maker spaces. If you are looking to bring in catering for an event, we do not have any restrictions on who you work with.
Where can I store my belongings while I'm attending an event or class?
Participants are welcome to store their belongings in the room they're in for a program. There are also public lockers available across from the first-floor bathrooms.
How do I get there using public transit?
The building is 0.4 miles away from the Kendall MIT stop where you can catch the red line and 64, 68, 85, CT2, 64, 68, and 85 buses. The building is 0.5 miles away from the Lechmere stop where you can catch the green line and 69, 80, 87, and 88 buses. You can find walking directions to The Foundry here.
What is the parking situation like?
We don't have designated parking, so your best bet would be finding public parking on the neighboring streets (Third St, Rogers St, Fifth Street). There are also a number of parking garages in the area if you need a longer term solution. We have a loading area if you need to pick up or drop off large objects, but you'll need to find parking after dropping off. See parking options here.
My program or event is confirmed but I don't see it on the calendar
To be featured in Foundry public communications, you will need to complete the communications form provided in your reservation confirmation email.
Recurring programs must fill out the form every time your program is beginning a session in a new season!
Can I host a program past 8 pm?
For now our operating hours only extend until 8 pm.
How do I host a weekly/recurring event at The Foundry?
Weekly programs are selected on a quarterly basis for up to twelve (12) weeks of programming per season. Our call for programs is distributed about two months before the start of each season.
Do I have to be a Cambridge resident to reserve a room for my program?
No! Any programs that meet our community guidelines and make positive use of the space are welcome at The Foundry!
Does the Foundry handle program participant registration?
The program provider is responsible for managing participant registration. Events open to the public will be posted on our website if the provider has completed our publicization form received upon reservation confirmation.
What is The Foundry’s program reservation cancellation/refund policy?
You must cancel 48 hours before the start of the event for a full refund. If the event needs to be rescheduled rather than canceled, and a future date is found, The Foundry will apply payments to the future event. Please note that we cannot guarantee availability.
When will I know if my program reservation is approved?
You will know your reservation is approved when you receive a “Request Accepted” email from our booking system.
How do I get my program on The Foundry's event calendar?
Your reservation confirmation email will contain a link to a form that asks for a list of details about your event. This information will allow us to publicize your event on our events page, social media, and weekly events e-newsletter.
Please note: If you do not submit your event by 10 am the Friday before your event, your event will not be included in next week's e-newsletter and social post. It will still be included on our website.
How does The Foundry decide what programs happen in the building?
Any programs that meet our community guidelines and make positive use of the space are welcome at The Foundry! For more information about how we prioritize programming when there are several competing requests view our Program Rubric here.
What A/V equipment can The Foundry provide?
The Foundry has a variety of stationary and mobile A/V equipment. For a complete list of what is available, see our equipment document here.
How will payment for my event work?
A non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking to secure the desired dates. If a deposit is not received after 5 business days of receipt of the signed contract, the dates will be released and the contract voided. The remaining balance will be invoiced in advance of the start of the rental agreement, and must be paid upon the first date of the rental agreement, unless an alternate arrangement is agreed upon. After a 1-week grace period, a 5% late fee (non-accruing) will be charged for each business day payment is overdue.
Can I have alcohol at an event?
Yes, but renters need to apply for a one day alcohol permit from the City of Cambridge and the event must use an insured licensed caterer or have the person pouring alcohol be TIPS certified by the time of the event.
Are there on-site cleaners? Are there cleaning fees?
We expect users to clean up after themselves to maintain a clean environment. However, for those who prefer additional cleaning support or a hands-off approach, we offer on-site cleaning services for an extra charge. These services are billed per hour according to the number of cleaners needed.
How late can I rent space? Are there time restrictions on full building rentals?
In accordance with our Entertainment License, events can run until 11 pm. Any events running past our usual operating hours will be subject to an After Hours event fee.
What is The Foundry’s event rental cancellation/refund policy?
Deposit is non-refundable in the event of cancellation. The Foundry must be given two weeks’ notice for either cancellation or rescheduling. Should less than two weeks’ notice be given, payment will still be due and any payments made will not be refunded. If the event needs to be rescheduled rather than canceled, and a future date is found, The Foundry will apply payments to the future event. Please note that we cannot guarantee availability.
When will I know if my event reservation is approved?
Your rental is finalized once we receive a signed contract and event deposit.
Do I need a technical director?
If your event is using our light or sound boards and/or rehanging the lighting grid, you will need a technical director. The Foundry Consortium is not currently able to supply a technical director.
What is The Foundry’s performance reservation cancellation/refund policy?
Deposit is non-refundable in the event of cancellation. The Foundry must be given two weeks’ notice for either cancellation or rescheduling. Should less than two weeks’ notice be given, payment will still be due and any payments made will not be refunded. If the event needs to be rescheduled rather than canceled, and a future date is found, The Foundry will apply payments to the future event. Please note that we cannot guarantee availability.
When will I know if my performance reservation is approved?
Your rental is finalized once we receive a signed contract and event deposit.
Are there times members would not have access to the maker spaces?
Access may be restricted under the following circumstances:
How does the membership application work? How are people chosen?
Members are chosen on a first come first served basis. If memberships fill up, applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
Where can I view your harassment policy?
You can view our harassment policy here.
Does the Foundry have COVID-19 Policies?
All Foundry employees will be required to be vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus. Mask use is encouraged within the indoor spaces of The Foundry to help protect our most vulnerable community members. Mask use will be encouraged for all visitors to the Foundry building, and masks will be on hand for those who need one. In the event of a surge in cases for Covid-19 or any other public health crisis disease, The Foundry will comply with and follow local City of Cambridge guidelines and regulations.
Where can I view your community guidelines?
You can view our community guidelines here.
Where can I view your space reservation guidelines?
You can view our space reservation guidelines here.
How does the Sliding Scale Policy work?
Our reservation and membership prices are available at discounted rates based on organization operating budgets or personal income brackets.
See our Sliding Scale Policy here.