How To Become A Member
Members at the Soapbox enjoy access to our Letterpress, Screenprinting, Relief, Papermaking, and Risograph equipment.
With four affordable tiers of membership, most artists and craftspeople can find a membership to suit their needs.
Working and Non-Working Members
Keyholder and Open Hours members can choose to be working members for a discount in monthly membership fees. Working members contribute an average of twelve hours/year and help to sustain and manage our volunteer-run print shop.
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Keyholder membership is ideal for someone who has experience in a printmaking studio, has an active studio practice, and can demonstrate their technical skills. Keyholder members enjoy independent access to the studio 7 days a week, 8am to 10pm, with key codes to the space. Keyholder membership requires an application demonstrating experience in the desired studio area and a 3 month minimum commitment, as well as an orientation to each studio area to be used. Includes one storage space (choice of screen storage, flat file drawer, or locker), with additional storage available at $5/month. Like all members at the Soapbox, Keyholders receive discounts of workshops, and are a part of our printshop community events, like potlucks, holiday parties, and print exchanges.
Non-working members pay $135/month;
Working members pay $115/month.
Limited experience?
Those with no or beginning level experience should complete the following minimum workshop hours before working independently in the studio:• Screenprinting: 18 hours
• Letterpress: 18 hours
• Etching Press: 3 hours
• Papermaking : 9 hours (+ beater training if applicable)
• Beater: 3 hours
• Cutting/Binding Equip: Attend Training -
Enjoy access to our studio during our regular twice-a-week Open Hours. Open Hours are monitored – please ask questions! – but monitors do not provide instruction. (That’s what our workshops are for!) Open Hours membership requires an application demonstrating experience in the desired studio area, as well as an orientation to each studio area to be used. Includes one storage space (choice of screen storage, flat file drawer, or locker), with additional storage available at $5/month. Open Hours membership is ideal for someone who is experienced in printmaking but would like to ask for help when needed, or for those who only see themselves going into the studio a few times a month. Like all members at the Soapbox, Open Hours members receive discounts of workshops, and are a part of our printshop community events, like potlucks, holiday parties, and print exchanges.
Working members pay $40/month; non-working, $50/month.
Limited experience?
Those with no or beginning level experience should complete the following minimum workshop hours before working independently in the studio:• Screenprinting: 12 hours
• Letterpress: 12 hours
• Etching Press: 3 hours
• Papermaking (no beater use): 6 hours
• Beater: Not required
• Cutting/Binding Equip: Attend Training -
Punchcard members purchase “punches” that enable them to come to Open Hours. Punch Card membership is ideal for someone with print shop experience, but who may only need to complete one project in our space, is unsure of their schedule, or only sees themselves coming into the studio every few weeks. Punch Card membership requires an application demonstrating experience in the desired studio area, as well as an orientation to each studio area to be used. Like all members at the Soapbox, Punch Card members receive discounts of workshops, and are a part of our print shop community events, like potlucks, holiday parties, and print exchanges. Beginning 9/1/23, they will be valid for one full year.
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Soapbox Fellows help keep The Soapbox running smoothly – hosting Open Hours and assisting with other events and needs of the organization. In exchange, Fellows enjoy keyholder access to the studio, while also building skills in non-profit arts management. Soapbox Fellows are required to volunteer a minimum of five hours/week and to make a six-month commitment. Most years, applications are reviewed in March and September for any openings (April – September or October – March commitments). Solid skills in screenprinting or letterpress printing are a must.
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This membership allows you to support The Soapbox’s work through a supporting membership . You’ll enjoy a standard member discount on workshops when you make a recurring monthly gift of $10/month or more.
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Become a Member Step 1:
Visit the Studio!Stop by Open Hours On Wednesdays, 6-10 pm or Sundays 1-5 pm and check out our space in action.
Note: Those with beginning experience should complete workshop hours in their area of focus before applying for membership.
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Become a Member Step 2:
Submit Your ApplicationRead about our membership levels & submit your application above. We will review your application and respond as soon as possible. Upon acceptance, we will reach out with next steps including an orientation in your priority studio area.
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Become a Member Step 3:
Schedule a Skills Assessment or OrientationYou will receive a general orientation to the studio during Open Hours, as well as an orientation in each studio area you wish to use. Your orientation may consist of one of our in-studio workshops and/or a skills test.
A Community That Inspires
“I’m not sure everyone realizes how important it is to have public art spaces which are actually open to everyone. Being part of The Soapbox’s programs has helped me so much in making time for art, feeling connected to others, pushing myself, and feeling like not-a-faker. Thank you so much.”
— Charlotte, Program Participant
