The Ella Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, is a structure designed to provide a facility for the presentation of cultural educational events. The facility includes 1200 seating capacity auditorium with modern stage and lighting facilities: dressing rooms for art and musical groups and small theatrical, and class and rehearsal facilities. 

Events scheduled for the auditorium are designed for sedentary audiences who are in attendance as observers. In keeping with the university policy on the use of university facilities, first preference is given to regularly scheduled academic and cultural events of UMES, unless the external event is booked prior to a UMES cultural event.

For inquiries to rent the PAC, please fill out the form below and contact the building manager at efpac@umes.edu.

Facilities Request Form (internal/inside UMES)

Facilities Request Form (external/outside UMES)

STATEMENT OF POLICY ON THE USE OF UNIVERSITY FACILITIES 

The building manager makes decisions on sensitive or questionable applications. The building manager has the authority to approve a request in accordance with the following guidelines. If the building manager feels that proposed usage is contrary to the best interest of the university, they have the authority to deny a request for such usage. 

As a state University, an obligation exists to respond to the needs of the off-campus community and to provide services to the citizens of Maryland, insofar as these needs and services are relevant to university programs. Requests for use of facilities by arts, educational, scientific, and civic organizations whose activities are consistent with the aims and objectives of the University may be granted subject to limitations imposed by available space, conflict with university sponsored functions, budgetary arrangements, manpower, and other logistical requirements. Preference in granting requests will be given to those activities which are related to and supplement the programs of academic departments, other recognized university units, or the programs. 

The university is under no obligation to provide facilities for activities which are not related to the normal functions of the university. Use of the university facilities by private profit-making individuals, groups, or organizations for their exclusive benefit are subject to the approval of the building manager on use of any event regardless of its origin or sponsorship, which may seriously threaten to interfere with or disrupt the normal activities of the university, will be prohibited. 

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING USE OF THE ELLA FITZGERALD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 

1. Holes may not be driven into any surface; e.g., stage floor, walls sound baffles, et cetera. Wall or floor surfaces may not be painted or marked. The stage floor can be blocked with masking tape only 

2. Smoking is not permitted  

3. Food and beverages are not permitted without prior consent of the building manager, and only in designated areas 

4. Furniture, instruments and accessories may not be moved without the approval of the building manager 

5. Equipment requests must be made at the time of the request. If additional equipment is needed, the client must make the request 10 days prior to the event 

6. Payment for breakage or damage to facilities and/or equipment incurred during a scheduled event is the responsibility of the requestor(s) 

7. Posted notices may not be placed on interior or exterior wall areas. All notices for posting must be approved by the building manager; approved notices must be removed by the sponsor(s) 12 hours after the date of event 

8. University personnel must be employed, when available, for security, technical, engineering, and custodial services. The university reserves the right to secure the services of professional technical personnel when university employees are not available. The requestor(s) must pay the cost of additional personnel 

9. The recording and photographing of event held in the center without prior approval from the committee for assemblies and special affairs is prohibited 

Additional Internal Client Policies: 

10. The advisor/requester must be present during the full length of the activity. In the event that the advisor cannot be present during sponsored event, the event will be canceled, unless the advisor and organization has received approval to proceed with an approved chaperone(s) from the Dean of Students and the Department of Fine Arts 

11. During the event, the advisor/requester and the organization/club in charge of the event should be in frequent communication concerning the progress of the activity and any potential trouble areas that may be developing 

12. At the close of the event, security and the advisor/requester should inspect the rooms/building, for cleanliness/damages and that all participates have vacated 

13. If an emergency or incident of a serious nature takes place, such as personal injury or loss of property, the advisor/requester should prepare a written report and submit it to the Department of Fine Arts, Dean of Students and the Office of Public Safety the next business day 

14. All items used for the scheduled event cannot be stored in the building and must be removed from the premises 

EXTERNAL RENTALS 

All customers using University facilities agree to abide by all University and State policies and procedures. The requesting customer accepts responsibility for all damages to University property or loss including theft, with regards to facilities and equipment covered by this agreement. The scheduled customer assumes all responsibility for financial obligations for the event. All external groups must provide the Building Manager with a Certificate of Insurance two weeks prior to the event.  

No food and drink are allowed in the PAC auditorium or lobby. 

FACILITIES RENTAL FEES 

All prices are subject to change 

Facility Rental: 

Full Day	$1,750.00
Half Day:	$1,100.00
Classroom Rental	$50 per classroom

Housekeeping Fees: 

Per Housekeeper

$35.00 per hour

Audio/Visual Technician 

Per Technician	$65.00 per hour
Equipment Rental (projector, screen, etc.)	$25.00

INTERNAL RENTALS 

Department Rentals 

All departments/units using University facilities agree to abide by all University and State policies and procedures. The requesting organization accepts responsibility for all damages to university property or loss including theft, with regards to facilities and equipment covered by this agreement. The scheduled organization assumes all responsibility for financial obligations for the event. The Requester must be present during the full length of the activity. In the event that the requester cannot be present during sponsored event, the event will be canceled, unless the requester/organization has received prior approval to proceed with an approved proxy from the Department of Fine Arts.  

No food and drink are allowed in the PAC auditorium or lobby. 

Organizations 

All organizations using University facilities agree to abide by all University and State policies and procedures. The requesting organization accepts responsibility for all damages to University property or loss including theft, with regards to facilities and equipment covered by this agreement. The scheduled organization assumes all responsibility for financial obligations for the event.  

The Advisor must be present during the full length of the activity. In the event that the advisor cannot be present during sponsored event, the event will be canceled, unless the advisor and organization has received approval to proceed with an approved chaperone(s) from the Dean of Students and the Department of Fine Arts is informed. 

No food and drink are allowed in the PAC auditorium or lobby. 

How to Rent 

After receiving approval from the Office of Student Experience to host an event, student organizations/clubs MUST submit a request via the Events Management System (EMS) in order for the event to be held at the PAC (link to EMS). To expedite this process, follow the following procedures: 

• Submit a request in EMS 

• Email efpac@umes.edu with information regarding your request (this may aid in securing your event) 

• The request will be reviewed by the building manager, or designee 

• Once under review, if there are any questions the requester will receive an email or phone call  

• If approved, the requester will receive an email via Dropbox Sign, the univeristy’s signature program, to review the contract/confirmation and sign. A fully executed contract/confirmation will be received by all parties who have to sign and those who may have been copied 

• If the request is not approved, the requester will receive an email notification of the disapproval 

• Any Physical Plant work orders (housekeeping and/or setup) and audio visual requests are the responsibility of the requestor (subject to change) 

CONTACT US