40 MAC Pt. 5, R. 1.1
GENERAL REGULATION REGARDING USE OF THE MUSEUM BY OUTSIDE
Cite as 40 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 5, R. 1.1
GENERAL REGULATION REGARDING USE OF THE MUSEUM BY OUTSIDE
PARTIES. Public Notice M1 3821 is hereby amended.
A. Rental of Mississippi Museum of Natural Science for Meetings and Events
1. Each individual, organization, association, or other entity shall enter into a
written agreement with the museum as set forth in standard operating procedures.
2. All scheduled uses shall be reserved at least fifteen (15) days in advance.
Reservations will be taken no more than twelve (12) months in advance.
3. The maximum number of attendees is 3,000.
4. The museum facilities are not available for meetings and/or functions to any
organization, association, or other groups or entities that discriminate based on race, color, creed,
religion, gender, and/or national origin.
B. Deposit and Payment
1. Deposit: To reserve the facilities, Client shall pay the Museum a non-
refundable deposit of $200 payable upon the execution of the Agreement. If deposit is not
received, the Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or effect. The requested date
of the facilities rental will not be confirmed until the deposit is paid and the Agreement is signed.
The deposit shall be applied in full as a credit against payment due to the Museum under this
Agreement.
2. Payment: Client agrees to pay the Museum a fee, for facility rental requested
for the event, ($200 of this amount will have been paid as a deposit). The remaining balance of
the facility rental is due 7 business days after the event. Following the event, the Client will be
invoiced and agrees to pay for any additional cost incurred. Fees are to be determined based on
current local market rental fees.
3. Security: A minimum of one security officer must be present during every
event. The cost of this service is included in the price of the facility rental. Additional security
personnel will be paid for by client and may be required based on the number of guests attending
the event and the amount of space rented. Security requirements are determined at the sole
discretion of the Museum. Client will be notified prior to the event if any such additional security
¬personnel are deemed necessary.
4. Janitorial: Normal and usual housekeeping is included with the facility rental.
Additional janitorial workers may be required due to clean-up above and beyond standard
cleaning. Client will be notified during or immediately following an event if any such additional
janitorial personnel are deemed necessary. The Client is responsible for removal of garbage,
boxes, etc. from each event. The client is responsible for the removal of all client provided
tables, chairs, podiums, and risers from the public areas.
5. Access Times: Please be aware that the Museum does not close to the public
until 5 p.m. daily. So that we do not infringe on our visitors' access to exhibits and education
areas during operating hours, the following access times are in effect for move-in and set-up:
a. Access to loading dock beginning at 3:00 p.m. to unload and assemble
materials;
b. Access to patios, and kitchen at 4:30 p.m.;
c. Lower and upper lobby access beginning at 5:00 p.m.
C. Conduct During Event
1. Compliance: The Client agrees to comply with all policies, practices, rules, and
regulations of the Museum listed below and its sole discretion may determine compliance of the
Client.
2. Damages: Client assumes full responsibility for any and all damages to the
physical premises and property of the Museum and for any and all personal injuries caused by
Client, Client's guests, and/or Client's independent contractor that may occur during any such
time premises are occupied by the Client, Client's independent contractors, or Client's guests.
Client agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Museum and MDWFP from all
claims, lawsuits or other actions, including claims for damages, costs and/or attorney fees.
3. Restricted Areas: To ensure the safety and security of the Museum and its
contents as well as minimize liability to the Client, all non-rented areas are off-limits to the
Client, Client's independent contractor(s). Any of these individuals found in an off-limits area
may be asked to leave the premises.
4. Operations: Client, Client's guests, and Client's independent contractor(s) must
comply with any requests made of them by the Museum staff. Museum staff and janitorial
personnel are provided by the Museum for your event.
5. Event Conclusion: Client is responsible for ensuring that all events must
conclude no later than the time specified on the Facility Rental Agreement. After that time, the
Museum will be accessible only to staff designated for the breakdown and clean up of the event.
All events must be scheduled to conclude no later than 10 p.m. unless otherwise agreed upon.
6. Electrical Cords: All electrical cords and equipment cables used must be
installed so as not to present a hazard for guests and must be in accordance with NEC and NFPA
70E safety guidelines. Electrical cords may not be taped to the floors in prominent walkways.
Museum may request the repair or replacement of any damaged or faulty cables or equipment to
ensure the safety of all personnel and guests. The Museum does not supply electrical cords to
Clients.
7. Cut Flowers: All cut flowers are to come from a florist so as to minimize the
chance of introducing insects in the collections and exhibits.
8. Prohibited Activities: The following activities are strictly prohibited in indoor
facilities:
a. Cigarette and cigar smoking or smokeless tobacco anywhere inside the
Museum;
b. Smoking, fog, or haze producing equipment of any kind;
c. Open flames of any kind; Candles (unless enclosed in a hurricane lamp
or similar device or votive);
d. Food and beverage in non-designated areas;
e. Any materials nailed, or taped to any ceilings, walls, floors, or
furnishings inside or outside of the building;
f. Helium balloons;
g. Throwing of rice, confetti, birdseed, or other materials (This includes
metallic "confetti" or "glitter" like products scattered on guest tables or buffets);
h. Potted plants containing dirt are prohibited in the lobbies and exhibit
halls;
i. Under no circumstances should food, drink, or trash be left in the
building overnight.
9. Invitation: A copy of the invitation and/or any announcement for the event
must be reviewed by the Museum. The Client agrees to make all reasonable changes to the copy
if any are requested by the Museum.
10. Vendor Load-In and Load-Out: Arrangements regarding access to the
Museum for deliveries, set-up, and removal of equipment must be reviewed in advance with the
Event Coordinator (Museum contact that is assigned to your event). It is the Client's sole
responsibility to inform independent contractors of Museum rules, regulations, policies, and
procedures. The Museum must receive a list of all vendors with contact information no later than
one week prior to event. The following guidelines explain the responsibilities of the Client and
Client's independent contractor(s).
11. Costs: Client bears the responsibility for all costs associated with outside
vendors (caterers, florists, entertainment, etc.).
12. License and Proof of Insurance: All outside vendors used for the event must
file copies of current business licenses, certificates of insurance, and proof of worker's
compensation with the Museum.
13. Deliveries: Vendors must check-in with Museum Security upon arrival. Once
the vendor has finished unloading or loading, the vendor's vehicle must be moved to the parking
lot so that others may utilize the dock area. Vendors are not allowed to park personal vehicles in
the dock area.
14. Load-Out: Arrangements must be made in advance with all vendors to return
and pick-up client provided items immediately following the event. The Museum is not
responsible for any lost or stolen supplies, equipment, or other 'property that is left overnight.
Vendors are responsible for clean-up and removal of all rented items.
15. Staging: All staging must occur on the loading dock area and not in hallways.
For fire safety reasons, all hallways and doorways must be kept clear of tables and equipment at
all times.
16. Dollies or Hand Trucks: Client must provide appropriate dollies or hand
trucks for the setup and removal of supplies. The floor in the Museum is especially susceptible to
damage, so we must strictly prohibit any sliding or dragging of equipment on its surface. All
risers and moveable items placed on the floor require rubber bearings. The Museum does not
provide any staff to help unload or load equipment.
17. Trash Disposal: All vendor trash must be properly bagged and disposed of by
Client's vendors in the dumpster located outside.
18. Supplies and Equipment: The Museum does not provide any supplies or
equipment. All equipment and necessary materials are the responsibility of the Client and
vendors.
19. Kitchen Equipment: Because of the limitations of space and equipment in the
Museum, Client's catering vendors should prepare food off-site. Caterers are responsible for
maintaining cleanliness in the Museum during the event and returning the kitchen to it’s original
state.
20. Checkout: Before departing, all vendors are responsible for checking out
with the Museum Representative. The Client will compensate the Museum for any damage to
facilities and property of the Museum caused by Client, Client's guest of Client's vendor.
21. Exhibits: Exhibits form an integral part of the Museum's educational
mission. In addition to galleries, exhibits are also located in other public areas. Once positioned,
these exhibits are considered "permanent" and cannot be moved from their locations for any
reason.