a narrative arts space

Rental + Event Proposals

host your event at story parlor

Our space exists to uplift creative community through shared storytelling experiences. Whether you’re dreaming up a collaborative performance, hosting a community gathering, or simply seeking a space that hums with creative energy, Story Parlor offers a home for connection, expression, and artistry.

We welcome both event partners—whose programs align closely with our mission and values—and renters looking for a cozy space to bring their vision to life. Review the details below to find the best fit for your event, then complete our Proposal Form (below) to get started. We’ll follow up with questions and next steps from there.

 

PARTNER EVENTS
If you have an event idea that fits within our mission and core values, would be open to the general public, and would showcase the original work of multiple local and diverse creatives, we’d love to hear from you.

    • A beautiful, authentic narrative performance designed to fit on a small stage, intimately close to an attentive audience.

    • Events that embrace Story Parlor’s core values of promoting artists of all kinds, making creative expression accessible, and inclusive programming with artists of diverse and/or historical suppressed backgrounds.

    • A nonrefundable event fee to hold the date. The fee will range from $50 - $200 depending on the arrangement you choose.

    • Original work only. And more than one artist. We generally shy away from music-only shows unless we feel there is a strong storytelling sensibility and a ready audience.

    • Robust marketing assistance to accompany Story Parlor’s promotional efforts, with the goal of programming a “sold-out” event (40 tickets).

    • Fair compensation for all participants — preferably an even split. We do not partner with headliners that require mandatory fees or main acts with unpaid openers.

    • An event host and emcee, as well as the liaison for all communication with participating artists.

    • Programming that, as a rule, will focus on personal story and the common bond of humanity, avoiding partisan political or religious appeals— unless it is billed specifically as such and catering to an audience curated for that experience.

    • No content surprises. Our audiences are assumed to be adults that can handle heavy subjects. But, please discuss program material that is commonly considered taboo, overtly sexual, graphic, trauma-centered, or designed to be emotionally unsettling when submitting the proposal.

    • A beautiful and intimate listening room.

    • A fully stocked concession bar (Beer/wine/beverages/snacks)

    • Promotion through our social media, online calendars, and newsletter.

    • Handling of registrations/ticket sales.

    • Our basic AV equipment, to include sound and very simple lighting. Please note, we do not have stage crew, engineers, wings, flies, or dim-able lighting [think bohemian cafe].

  • Mission

    Story Parlor is a cooperative arts venue featuring storytelling and the exploration of the human condition through community-driven programming. Committed to impacting positive change through the transformative power of storytelling through all art mediums, Story Parlor champions the artists of Western North Carolina through events, classes, community building, and advocacy.

    Core Values + Objectives

    • Connect audiences and artists from varying creative backgrounds and interests

    • Inform, inspire, and invigorate through the arts

    • Promote and foster self-inquiry and mindfulness

    • Cultivate creative exchange and cultural insight

    • Foster authenticity and inclusiveness

  • To learn more about what to expect, CLICK HERE to see our detailed Event Welcome Letter.

    [Do not submit any fees or other materials until your proposal has been accepted and a date confirmed]

SPACE RENTALS
Private or public events that don’t fit the partnership model but would benefit from Story Parlor’s creative space and ambiance. Perfect for readings, rehearsals, meetings, classes, or intimate celebrations.

  • Standard Event Rental Includes:

    (Ideal for parties, book/album releases, or seminars)

    • Use of space & furniture

    • Basic house A/V equipment

    • Beer & Wine bar (Includes premium coffee/tea, non-alcoholic, and CBD beverages)

    • A Story Parlor staff member on site to run the bar and assist with set-up & breakdown

    • Flexible time blocks

    • Promotion and ticketing add-on packages available

    Space-Only:

    (Ideal for rehearsals, workshops, and meetings)

    • Use of space and furniture

    • Not available on peak evenings

    • Promotion and ticketing add-on packages available

    To learn more, see our RENTAL WELCOME LETTER

  • Rentals range from as low as $140 for space-only studio time during off-peak hours to $400 for peak evening events with full staffing, promotion, and ticketing. All rentals are priced at 5 hours with the option to extend the time at an hourly rate.

    CLICK HERE to see a full rate sheet.

  • Parlor dimensions: 1050 sqft
    Loft dimensions: 350 sqft
    Total Occupants Permitted: 49

    It is a storied building nearly 100 years old located in historic West Asheville. A cozy, intimate, inspiring, listening room. Warm, reverberating, natural acoustics.

    We use a high plaster wall for large projections on the lower level. The loft has a square board-room table that seats up to 12 with a medium sized white board fixed to the wall.

    Two uni-sex bathrooms.

    Fire code maximum of 49 occupants. Available seating for up to 42.

    Decorations - We recommend decorations that stand on their own or can lay in place by their own weight. i.e- table-toppers or chair covers

    We do not allow anything to be afixed to the walls, furniture, or ceiling. The artwork and decor of the room must remain as is. Please avoid allergenic things like hay bales, and anything that’s impossible to clean up completely (i.e.- glitter).

    No decorations or signs on the outside of the building or on the sidewalk. This is a city ordinance.

    Catering is allowed, but not if it needs to be prepped or cooked in the space.

    No BYOB- Our alcohol permit does not allow outside alcohol or liquor. CLICK HERE to see our bar menu.

    Accessibility – Our main floor (including restrooms) is ADA accessible. Our loft and classroom space requires use of full stair case.

    Age Policy – We have designed our space for persons 16 years and older. Please consider that it may not be appropriate or safe for young children.

    Pets - No pets are permitted on the premises. (service animals welcome)

    NO FLAMES - CANDLES OF ANY KIND, PYROTECHNICS, ETC ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

  • To learn more, see our RENTAL WELCOME LETTER

 

A date is not secured until a form is received, approved, and a deposit is put down for the agreed upon day and time.

While we produce a few seasonal events, our event calendar is community-programmed either through our community rentals, or event proposals. We partner to help local artists produce their own events— we do not book artists for fee, and we never partner with touring acts from outside WNC. Anyone is welcome to rent, we offer competitive rates and a unique and perfect venue for private celebrations, album release parties, etc. Our space is best suited for those who come to share intimately with a listening audience.

Is this a workshop? With rare exceptions, we only accept partnerships for educational workshops from Inward & Artward certified facilitators. If you are an I&A graduate, CLICK HERE. All other workshops proposals may apply as a rental using the form below— Enter the start date, and then indicate the number of sessions in the description.

EVENT-PROPOSAL / RENTAL-REQUEST FORM

Next Steps

Our program manager will review your submission and follow up with next steps.

Questions about any of the above?
Reach out to us at collaborate@storyparloravl.com