Frequently Asked Questions

• Getting Here
• Events & Tickets
• About Our Venue
• Building Code of Conduct
• Accessibility & Non-Discrimination Policy
• Book A Space & Cafe Exhibitions

Getting Here

How do I get to Arts at the Armory?

Arts at the Armory is in the Somerville Armory, located at 191 Highland Ave. Directions for driving and public transportation can be found on our Getting Here page.

Is there parking?

Yes! There is a parking lot behind the Armory, as well as an overflow lot and on-street parking. Learn more on our Getting Here page.

How do I get to the overflow parking lot on 75 Belmont Street?

From the Armory parking lot:

• Exit the Armory lot via the driveway.
• Turn right onto Highland Ave.
• Turn left onto Porter St.
• Turn left onto Summer St. (4-way stop)
• Turn left onto Belmont St. (4-way stop)
• The overflow parking lot will be the first lot on the right.

How to locate the correct parking lot:

• The overflow lot is fenced in with a small driveway.
• There is an empty attendant booth on the right as cars enter the overflow lot.
• DO NOT park in the second open lot adjacent to the church; cars risk being towed.
• Arts at the Armory does not take responsibility for towing, ticketing, or the security of parked vehicles.

Events & Tickets

Will my event be cancelled if it’s raining or snowing?

All events at Arts at the Armory are held regardless of weather. Only in a state of emergency declared by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the City of Somerville, in which a travel ban has been issued, would an event be cancelled or postponed.  If an event is rescheduled due to a declared state of emergency, tickets will be honored for the postponed event.  If an event is cancelled, please reach out to your ticket vendor directly to request a refund.

How do I find out what time an event starts at your venue?

Start times and other event details can be found on our Events page by using the search tool. Or, pick a date on the Calendar to find a specific event. For the Performance Hall, the event start time listed on our website is when the doors open for an event.

How do I purchase tickets for an event?

We host many events brought in by outside organizations and they use different ticketing platforms. Search for a specific event on our website to find out where to buy tickets.

Our Spotlight Series shows are ticketed through Eventbrite.

We strive to be a welcoming, accessible community arts space. We are delighted to be a part of Mass Cultural Council’s Card to Culture program for our Spotlight Series, POP, and Feet Keep the Beat performances. Go to the Accessibility section on this page to learn more.

Can I purchase tickets on the same day the event occurs?

Yes, unless the performance is sold out. Search for a specific event on our website to find out where to buy tickets.

Are tickets refundable?

Tickets for our Spotlight Series shows are non-refundable. For events brought in by outside organizations, we recommend reaching out to the organizer.

Are there any age restrictions for events?

No, unless noted in the event description.

Can I bring my pet to an event?

No, we only allow service animals or emotional support animals (with documentation).

About Our Venue

How do I know if an event is happening in the ROOTED Armory Café or Performance Hall?

Each event page is typically categorized as happening in the Café or Performance Hall.

Is there seating at your venue?

For many events our staff will set up chairs for concert-style seating. However, seating is contingent on what outside event organizers’ want on a per-show basis. For example, Get to the Gig Boston / MassConcerts usually host “standing room only” events at our venue.

Please call our office at 617-718-2191 if you have seating questions. Our staff always set up ADA seating in the Performance Hall, even for “standing only” events. Scroll down to learn more about priority seating requests in the Accessibility section on this page.

Is there assigned seating?

No, we have General Admission seating unless otherwise stated.

Do you serve food?

Yes, ROOTED Armory Cafe offers delicious food when it is open for public events, rented privately, and during indoor markets. A bar food menu is now available at all public events in the Performance Hall as well.

What am I allowed to bring into the Performance Hall?

You can bring a small bag or backpack; please note that many of our concert events are subject to bag checks upon entry. You can NOT bring in outside food/drink, weapons, drugs, and/or smoking materials.

Please note: Any objects or materials that are disruptive to other patrons or could cause harm to anyone are NOT allowed. Items will be confiscated per the discretion of our event staff.

At the venue’s discretion, items can be picked up after an event as patrons are leaving the venue.

Arts at the Armory is not responsible for any missing or damaged items at the end of an event.

In addition, any defacement to the property, whether by a patron or venue licensee, will require as assessment by Arts at the Armory. The responsible party will be billed if repairs are needed.

Do you have a Lost & Found?

Yes, the Lost & Found can be accessed when the Cafe is open (check the Events page). Email administrator@artsatthearmory.org if you misplaced an item at an event in the Cafe or Performance Hall; we hold onto items for 14 days.

How do I get in touch?

You can reach out at info@artsatthearmory.org or 617-718-2191. Check out the Contact Us page for more information.

Building Code of Conduct

If you have more questions about what is allowed inside the building, please refer to the City of Somerville’s Armory Rules and Code of Conduct.

Accessibility & Non-Discrimination Policy

What is your non-discrimination policy?

The Center for Arts at the Armory (CAA) does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, community, patrons, customers, volunteers, subcontractors and vendors. Violence, hate speech and/or discrimination will not be tolerated in the spaces operated by CAA. CAA will act to defend its staff and customers against acts of violence, hate speech and/or discrimination, and has the right to ask for the removal of any individual who does not comply with this policy. 

The Center for Arts at the Armory is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

We are proud to participate in Mass Cultural Council’s Card to Culture program in collaboration with the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Department of Public Health’s WIC Nutrition Program, the Massachusetts Health Connector, and hundreds of organizations by making cultural programming accessible to those for whom cost is a participation barrier.  

EBT, WIC, ConnectorCare, MassHealth and SUN Bucks cardholders receive free admission for each of our Spotlight Series, POP and Feet Keep the Beat performances (there are 10 free tickets, max of 2 free tickets per person, available for each performance). Please contact administrator@artsatthearmory.org for more information. Card to Culture ticket requests must be received a minimum of three business days prior to the event. See the complete list of participating organizations offering EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare discounts.  

We’re also grateful to have recently joined Art Pharmacy to connect people to the preventative and therapeutic benefits of arts and culture engagements. We’re among the first in the nation to make art prescription a reality. Art heals! We’re excited to partner with Art Pharmacy to bring arts prescriptions to Massachusetts. To learn more, click here.

Is your space wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the first floor of the Armory is ADA accessible. There is an elevator that can be used to access the second floor.

How do I get priority seating?

We can accommodate most priority seating requests; individuals that use a wheelchair can be accommodated along with one companion seat.

We encourage patrons to email info@artsatthearmory.org one to two weeks prior to an event; we can accommodate day-of requests as well.

Event staff can assist you with priority seating on the day of an event. If a seating request is made on the day of an event, staff will do everything they can to accommodate.

Is your venue accessible to those who are deaf or hard of hearing?

We have four Assisted Listening Devices for patrons to use during Performance Hall events. Patrons can download an application to their smartphones to connect directly to the transmitters via Wi-Fi. Download the Listen Everywhere app on the Apple store or Google Play store.

Patrons should bring their own headphones if they would like to use the assistive listening technology at our venue.

Requests for captioning or ASL interpretation: the venue needs a written request for captioning/ASL services 30 days prior to an event. Please contact eventmanager@artsatthearmory.org to submit a request. We will work to reasonably accommodate requests once received.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, we allow service animals and emotional support animals (with documentation).

Does your venue have Braille signage?

No, the venue and the Armory building do not have consistent Braille signage. There is braille on the restroom signs in the Performance Hall. Visitors are welcome to bring service animals, as stated above.

What accommodations does your venue offer to those with sensory needs?

If an event is using strobe lights and/or visual effects, event staff will post signage at the venue’s entrance.

Our venue does not have a lobby or a designated private space for patrons to take breaks.

Patrons are welcome to sit in the lobby of the Armory building, and are allowed to reenter an event.

What medical accommodations does your venue offer?

Our event staff is CPR-certified and trained in Crowd Management. There is a defibrillator available on-site.

If there is a medical emergency, our staff will call 911 by default, and medical personnel will arrive shortly to the venue.

Please note that our staff will always follow the guidance of medical personnel once on-site.

Do you offer translation services for events?

The venue needs a written request prior to an event. We cannot guarantee translation services can be provided, but will do our best to accommodate. Please contact eventmanager@artsatthearmory.org to submit a request.

Book A Space & Cafe Exhibitions

How do I rent space at Arts at the Armory?

Please review our Rental FAQs to learn more about booking.

Do you have open office hours if I want to drop by and check out the spaces?

No. Please email administrator@artsatthearmory.org, or call us to schedule an appointment.

How can I display my artwork at ROOTED Armory Café?

Please review our Cafe Exhibition FAQs to learn more about putting your artwork on display.

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