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Blue Cactus Press

Booking Events at Blue Cactus Press

We heard you’re interested in holding an event at the BCP studio!  We are particularly interested in booking events with people and organizations whose mission, values, and intentions align with our own: engaging with art, books, and conversations that move us toward individual and collective liberation.

It’s also important to note that we prioritize collaborating with folks from historically marginalized groups, though all are welcome. 

Still with us? If so, your next step is to read through the content below, to ensure we all come to the table with mutual understanding of what is being offered and the boundaries by which we work within. Here’s what you need to know:

Location & Capacity

The Blue Cactus Press studio is located at 1901 Jefferson Ave, Office 105, Tacoma, WA 98402. Our studio comfortably holds up to 30 people (standing), or 20 people (seated).  

What we offer

  • Staff and sales support, including:
    • A pre-event planning meeting with BCP staff
    • Day-of-event support to assist with setup, programming, and tear-down.
    • Sales support during event programming. *Please see the “Important notes” section below for specific information regarding goods sold and point of sales systems.  
  • Marketing support, to include
    • Event posting on the BCP Events webpage
    • Event posting on BCP social media platforms (Instagram and Facebook) 
    • Mention in our monthly  email newsletter to more than 1K subscribers. 
  • Use of furniture and equipment
    • 3 wooden tables (which collectively seat up to 14 people) 
    • 2 fold-out tables (which seat an additional 10 people) 
    • 20 wooden chairs
    • 1 gray couch and 1 gray wingback chair 
    • Use of microphone, mic stand, and music stand
    • 1 large wooden desk
    • Bluetooth-connected speaker for playing music
  • Use of various in-house decorations (plants, tablecloths, string lights, candles, picture frames, clipboards, book stands)
  • Access to two (unfortunately, gendered) restrooms in the building.

What we need (cost)

Hosting an event in the Blue Cactus Press studio costs $300 — $500 per event, depending on the particular needs of your event and your financial capacity.

We offer a sliding scale to all collaborators, opportunities for bartering, and in special cases, no-cost use of our studio space. Please see details below regarding event fees options. 

A $100 non-refundable deposit is required and must be paid in advance of an event planning meeting with BCP staff. The remainder of agreed upon event fees must be paid one month prior to the scheduled event. 

Sliding scale 

We offer a sliding scale option to all event collaborators. Collaborators should self-select the event fee, ranging from $300 — $500, that works best for them according to their self-identified capacity.

We’ve included a helpful infographic below to help folks understand sliding scale options. 

Opportunities for Barter 

We accept barters as partial payment for use of our studio space. If you have skills, furniture, equipment, time, expertise or something else to offer, please do not hesitate to negotiate with us. We value all work and time equally, and barter with a 1-1 value proposition in mind. 

No-Cost Use of Space 

Sometimes, we offer use of our space at no cost to community organizers and groups whose event/programming demonstrates a clear and significant benefit to communities. We consider this option on a case-by-case basis. If you feel your event falls into this category, please sit down with us to discuss your options. 

Important considerations

Access

  • Our office is located on UWT campus, next to the Tioga Library. The front door to our building remains locked 24-7. However, we can unlock the front door during your event, or ensure a staff member remains in the lobby to welcome guests into our space. 
  • The front door to our building has a short, rounded step that requires guests to step-up into the foyer area. This rounded step prevents our space from being wheelchair accessible. We have found that folks with mobility issues and/or walking aids are generally able to enter without issue, however, those in wheelchairs need some assistance to enter the foyer. 
  • There are paid, 2-hour and 90-minute Parking spaces immediately in front of our office building, and in the adjoining Tioga Parking Lot. Additional paid parking is found in all directions from our office. 
  • There is free, but timed, parking one block uphill from our office building and within walking distance. However, for those with mobility aids or wheelchairs, we do not advise parking uphill from the office, as the downhill trek is steep and often slippery. 

Goods Sold

  • BCP retains 30% of all sales through our register, which we use to cover 20% taxes and a modest 10% profit. 
  • If you prefer to sell your goods through your own point of sale system, BCP will not take a percentage of sales. 
  • Sales of any in-studio BCP products (books, zines, prints) must be sold through BCP’s point of sale system by a BCP employee.

You made it!

Thanks for reading all the info above. If you’re interested in booking an event in the Blue Cactus Press studio space (and we hope you are) please email bluecactuspress@gmail.com at least 6 weeks in advance of your requested event date. 

Please include the following information in your email:

  • Requested date and time of event. Second and third choice options for event date, in case your primary date is unavailable. 
  • Short event description
  • Anticipated number of attendees
  • Accessibility needs
  • Programming details

We’ll get back to you within a week to discuss moving forward with your event.