The Vortex - LA - A Privately Funded Community Center - Submitting a Proposal

This section is only intended to be a guideline. We have no complete format that covers all the laws. Contact Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, and other City of Los Angeles agencies mentioned.

To Submit a Proposal:
Please read below:

If you agree with our mission and terms, then please click the link at the bottom of this page and proceed with the Vortex Proposal Process.

Criteria for Use (All subject to approval)

1. Provide a service or activity directly to the community such as a lecture, class, or an activity.

2. Raise money for a cause with an event, show, or sale.

3. Make a statement about society through your creative expression.

We reserve the right to decline any project due to (but not limited to) the message being unclear or the statement not aligning with our Mission Statement.

What you are accountable for at The Center

Your message must be explicit, whether it is raising funds or making a statement, we want it highly visible and clear. A patron walking into the space should know what the event is for and be reminded of that throughout the night.

Return the space in the same or better condition than you received it. You are responsible for any and all damage that occurs during your event. This includes but is not limited to any equipment, lighting, fixtures, walls, bathroom partitions, the removal of event décor and props, that any and all surfaces be swept, mopped, and/or wiped down - everything must be cleaned. Plan to bring a cleanup crew.

It is true that we are in an M3 zone, however, people live here and it is largely because of these tenants that the space continues to run as economically as it does. Therefore, we must set a guideline for the overly enthusiastic - ALL VOLUME MUST BE OFF AND CLEANUP CREWS MUST BE QUIET AFTER 2 AM.

As a Philanthropic Center, anyone who works for the Center is volunteering their time, so please be respectful of that. We are here for you and to support what you are up to. We ask that you be responsible for your event from beginning to end. Some examples of how you can do that would be to have the space thoroughly cleaned before having us come down to inspect it, so we don't have to do it twice, or, if you have questions after reading through our website, to put them together for one conversation as opposed to a series of inquiries. Good project planning is the key to a successful Vortex show!

How it Works/ The Process

Step 1: The Center has specific use criteria. If you feel your use meets our criteria, fill out the on-line application. Please be specific in your description of how you connect with our Mission Statement.

Step 2: Check our on-line calendar to make sure the dates you want for your event are available.

Step 3: Your application will be reviewed in a timely manner. If your application is accepted we will contact you. Usually we contact you if we decline also. But we are volunteers so sometimes we can't. If you have follow-up questions, you are welcome to check back after a reasonable interval at someone.vortex@gmail.com

Step 4: Set up an appointment to sign the agreement and pay your USE FEE + DEPOSIT. The FEE for using the space is $101/night and refundable deposits range from $250 to $1000 depending on your event. NOTE: Date is not locked in until the agreement is signed and the deposit and license fee are paid.
Step 5: Keys are not issued. On the day of your event, someone from The Vortex will be there to unlock the space for you and to lock it at the end of the event.

Step 6: Once the space is inspected, your deposit will be returned, assuming it is returned as you received it.

Please be advised the Philanthropic Center for the Arts insurance covers our company specifically, and does not cover you during your event. If you wish to reduce your own exposure to liability during the event, you will need to obtain your own personal coverage. Many insurance companies will add a 'rider' to your existing business insurance (if you have this) for a small fee, allowing you to do a remote event safely. Sometimes you can 'piggyback' your insurance onto another company like a catering, sound or film company. Alternately, companies that insure film projects, mobile recording, etc, have short-term deals they can tell you about. It's not difficult to find short-term insurance, you just have to ask around.

Legal - Police & Fire Department Permitting

This section is only intended to be a guideline. We have no complete format that covers all the laws. Contact Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, and other City of Los Angeles agencies mentioned. To allow time for due diligence and proper permitting ALL events must be booked 30 days in advance. Absolutely no exceptions will be made if your event needs additional permitting that we do not hold. Original copies of this permitting must be presented to our management NO LATER than 48 hours before your event or it will be cancelled.

What We Have -

Certificate of Occupancy for Privately Funded Community Center

Occupancy rating for 400 people
Entertainment and Show Permit from City of Los Angeles
No Alcohol can be served to the public without an additional permit

The permits we have allow for live and DJ Music without dancing and all sorts of gatherings from art shows to lectures, as well as all sorts of performances and classes.

Setting up the chairs or stage or large pieces of art reduces floor space and therefore reduces the legal occupancy rating.

What You May Need In Addition To The Above -

Alcoholic Beverage Consumption - If you want to serve or sell alcoholic beverages - you need to obtain permits. There is NO "loophole" for a donation bar. Even serving FREE alcoholic beverages has limitations.

There are different ways a user may want to serve alcohol. Sell it, host bar, no host bar, etc.

Collecting money - YOU HAVE TWO OPTIONS: 1) Business License. 2) Charitable Services Information Card. We love fundraisers. The City of Los Angeles does too, as long as they are legitimate and properly permitted. A charitable organization information card allows you to legally accept donations. Select the Non-Profit 501C of your choice and contact LAPD 213-996-1260 to obtain your Information Card.

If you don't have an organization we may be able to connect you with one. Here are two suggested organizations:

• Lines Of Latitude Contact Tylene DeVine: 323.394.6678, linesoflatitude@gmail.com. This non profit helps financially disadvantaged teens travel the world.

• The Veterans Project, a nonprofit group managed by Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, helps military veterans adjust to civilian life when they come home. Contact Jeff Norman: jeff@citizenjeff.com
Dances - Need a "Dance Hall" Permit. We do not have one. No dancing to music is legal without one for public events. There are NO all ages Temporary Dance Hall Permits. You can obtain either an 18 and under or 18 and over Dance Hall Permit. Private Events are exempt. Nonprofits get a significant discount. Contact LAPD Vice 323-846-6559.
Special Use - One example would be a sit down dinner. That falls under "Banquet Hall". You can license our space for one night as a banquet hall with permits from LAPD Vice and LAFD.

If you feel your event may fall outside the categories listed don't risk having it shut down! Call LAPD Vice 323-846-6559 and LAFD Louis Origel 213-978-3646.

If we suspect your event may be a "Special Event" we will refer you to these agencies before considering awarding you with a date for your specific use.
Private Events - A private event is where no outside public is granted admittance and where you would not need permits especially the ABC license. You will need to have the names of the persons attending along with the names of their invited guests beforehand. Persons not named on the list shall not be granted access to the event. If any persons not on the list are granted access it is then deemed a public event and the necessary permits are required. Here is the relevant section of code: Section 23399.1 Business and professions Code. No license or permit shall be required for the serving and otherwise disposing of alcoholic beverages where all of the following conditions prevail:

• That there is no sale of an alcoholic beverage.
• That the premises are not open to the general public during the time alcoholic beverages are served, consumed or otherwise disposed of.
• That the premises are not maintained for the purpose of keeping, serving, consuming, or otherwise disposing of alcoholic beverages (see Section 25604 B&P Bottle Clubs). Provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be construed to permit any person to violate any provision of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act.

NOTE: The purchase of drink tickets, admittance tickets, mandatory donations and or tips entitling a person to an alcoholic drink constitutes a sale, and a license is required.

LAPD may have undercover Officers attempt to gain entry into your event and check to see that your event is following the legal definition of a "Private Party". Also most importantly they will check that there is absolutely no sale of alcoholic beverages. If there is any permit violation they will likely arrest you for the violation.

WE LOVE FUNDRAISERS AND WANT YOUR SHOW TO BE A SUCCESS. PLEASE DO IT RIGHT! BELOW ARE SAMPLES OF THE DOCUMENTS WHICH YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE BEFORE AND AFTER A FUNDAISER. READ THEM. (Yes, the police may come and check your paperwork. If you don't have everything perfect, they will shut you down!)