So you want to open a theater?

How to form a non-profit

• Booklet at Nonprofit Financial Center
• Workshops on forming a nonprofit: Lawyers for the Creative Arts

Organizational readiness

• Arts and Business Council has workshops, training and will conduct an organizational assessment of your group.
• Nonprofit Finance Fund has excellent planning guides for space development.
• Talk to colleagues who have done what you want to do.

How to evaluate space for theater use

• Will It Make a Theater? By Eldon Elder, 1993. Buy this book at Amazon.

Department of Zoning

• Check to see if theatre is a permitted use in the location you are evaluating. Theatre is called “entertainment” in the new ordinance.

Department of Business Affairs and Licensing

• What licenses do I need? Check with the new Department of Business Affairs and Licensing at either City Hall (121 N. LaSalle Street) 8th Floor, or their website.
• Does the space I am renting for a show have a current valid license?

Department of Buildings

• Department of Buildings website
• Does the building I want to buy (or space I want to rent) have any violations?
• Was the work done in my space done with permits? Go to City Hall (121 N. LaSalle Street) Room 1111, you can fill out a FOIA form and get a printout instantly.
• What kind of work needs a building permit?
• What do the inspectors look at during a PAV/PPA inspection?
• Do I need an Occupancy Card? How do I apply for an Occupancy Card?
• Department of Cultural Affairs—for general information.
• In person help and referrals for any of the above: Julie Burros, Director of Cultural Planning, or 312-744-8938.