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Frequently Asked Questions

About the studio

Why does The Grove have a community rate?

Our community rate is designed to increase equitable access to creative space. We aim to meet the OHRC section 14 special code criteria by:
1. Alleviating hardship or economic disadvantage
2. Help disadvantaged people or groups to achieve, or try to achieve, equal opportunity in particular respect to accessing space.

Our space through this rate offering is aiming to support;

A) independently operated initiatives,
B) emerging artists, and
C) not-for-profit groups that face financial or systemic barriers.

Eligibility is based on the purpose, scale, and impact of your booking. Personal identity alone does not determine eligibility. To qualify for the community rate we encourage folks to meet one or more of the criteria highlighted:

Self or community funded: You are an individual or organization that is independently self-funded or community-funded (not driven by profit).
Community purpose: Your booking prioritizes access for groups or individuals who have historically faced financial or systemic barriers to creative space, including but not limited to:
- 2SLGBTQ+ community
- Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour communities
- Other groups or initiatives that advance equitable access to creative and community spaces
Scale of event: The purpose and size of your event is consistent with community-rate bookings, typically under $65 plus HST.

Our goal with the community rate is to increase equitable access to space. Particularly for individuals and/or groups that may have historically faced systemic and financial barriers. Eligibility is based on the purpose, scale, and impact of your booking, not on identity alone. If you are unsure whether your event or booking qualifies for the community rates, please send us an email. We are here to help and happy to support you!

Is The Grove an accessible space?

The studio is on the 2nd floor of the building accessible by elevator or stairs. The studio is on the same floor as shared accessible washrooms.

How do you keep people safe from airborne illnesses?

The studio is equipped with a central HVAC system which circulates air, in addition to three air purifiers that are on before, during, and after events to clean the air. We offer KN95 / N95 masks for free, and hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes are always available.

Is there parking?

There is free street parking around the studio and a paid parking lot about a 10 minute’s walk to the studio at 301 Preston Street. To find real time information about available parking around the studio, please use Parkopaedia!

How big is the space?

Our studio is about 800 square feet. It can fit approximately 50 people standing and 25-40 people seated, depending on the room set up.

What are the washrooms like?

There are 2 washrooms on the same level as the studio, each with multiple stalls with one stall suitable for mobility devices. One set of washrooms has a shower stall. Due to the requirements of other tenants in the building, we are unfortunately not able to update the signs of the bathrooms.

Is there a change room in the studio?

The studio has a 4 square foot changing tent that offers privacy for those who are doing costume or outfit changes, or to try on clothes.

Booking the studio

I want to book the studio for “X” date. Is it available?

Please check out the calendar on our booking form!

Is the studio sound proof?

Due to the building being shared with others, we cannot guarantee complete silence during your booking.

What are your booking rates?

You can find our rates at the “Our Rates” section of the website.

What’s included in my booking?

Your booking time is inclusive of set-up and resetting the room back to its original state.

Photographers have access to: c-stands, apple boxes, v-flats, sand boxes, extension cords, seamless paper. Any damaged seamless paper (stained or ripped) that requires its removal from the roll will cost $10 per foot for a replacement fee.

All bookings have access to 6 ft folding tables, a variety of folding chairs and stacking chairs, a seating area, a rolling clothing rack, clothing steamer.

The studio has a coffee machine, a water fountain, and a kettle. Fast wi-fi is available, as well as a Bluetooth speaker.

What equipment can I rent?

For photography, a variety of lights and grip are available. They are all listed on our rates page and in the booking form.

For events, we also have a TV on rolling stand (great for virtual meetings or presentations) and a projector available on the booking form.

Does my booking come with a parking spot?

We have a parking spot available for clients booking the studio. It is a 10 minute walk away on Catherine Street. You can make use of this parking spot by booking it on the booking form at no extra charge.

Can I run an event at the Studio?

In addition to being a photography studio, you can use the studio as an event space.

Our community booking rates and supports are available to individuals, groups, and organizations that are independently run or not-for-profits. Meaning, you are self-funded or community-funded, with a focus on supporting 2sLGBTQ+ and IBPOC communities. To be eligible for our community booking rates, your ticket price must be under $65.

What’s your cancellation policy?

You may cancel or reschedule your booking up to 30 days before your scheduled date for a full refund. Cancellations or rescheduling made within 30 days of the booking date are non-refundable.

Can I reschedule my booking?

It is possible to reschedule your booking as long as it 30 days before your scheduled date with no penalty. Date rescheduling after this period is subject to a rescheduling fee.

Coming to the studio

How do I get into the studio?

If the doors to the building are locked (which they are on weekends and evenings), please use the intercom at the side entrance and buzz 2800 or find “the Grove” on the intercom panel. Once inside, proceed down. the ramp and into a glass atrium where the elevator is located. Take the elevator to the 2nd floor. Once on the 2nd floor turn right towards stairwell “A” and you will arrive at our studio entrance, right before you get to the stairwell.

I see a lot of social media posts about masking – do I have to wear a COVID mask when I come to the studio?

The Grove Studio is a COVID-conscious space, and we would like everyone to do their best to reduce health risks for everyone. If you are organizing your own event at the studio, you have the choice to make it a mask-mandatory or optional event. We only ask that you provide this information to your guests ahead of time so that they can be informed.

Please note that surgical masks do not provide sufficient COVID-19 protection and will not be allowed in our space. Whether you are attending a mandatory or mask-optional event at the studio, we offer free KN95 / N95 masks for folks who forget theirs.

We appreciate that risk mitigation is a spectrum for many, and that some health conditions make it not possible to wear a mask. We encourage those who use our space to follow these guidelines to help protect everyone.

How do I find out about events at The Grove?

You can follow us on Instagram @thegrove613 or you can follow us on Eventbrite! You can also find a monthly listing of our events on our events page. Our monthly newsletter goes out mid-month and provides the list of upcoming events as well.

What does PWYC mean?

PWYC stands for Pay-What-You-Can. Since The Grove Studio is a community-oriented space our PWYC events are set up to maintain access for people with different budgets.

I have a question about an upcoming event. Who do I ask?

Please reach out to the organizer directly!

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