Ewing Cutural Center Policies

Facility Usage Policy

1. Illinois State University/Illinois Wesleyan University: any group associated with ISU/IWU for educational purposes such as training, retreats, or conferences.

2. Illinois State University/Illinois Wesleyan University Social: any group associated with ISU/IWU, academically related or not, for the use of the facilities for receptions, or for social events such as dinners or luncheons.

3. Civic/Cultural: non-profit clubs, organizations, and government groups (subject to Director’s approval).

4. Commercial: a group or organization which is a business entity or represents a business venture.

5. Private: use of the facility is limited to weddings, retirement, or anniversary parties. Ewing Cultural Center is not available for birthday parties, showers, family reunions, or rehearsal dinners.

The following regulations are applicable to individual or group renters:

1. Fundraising: The use of Ewing Manor or the grounds for fundraising will be limited to nonprofit groups.

2. Sale of Products: The grounds and the Manor may not be rented for the purpose of selling or advertising individual products by commercial groups or individuals.

3. All rentals will be based on availability at the discretion of the Director of Ewing Cultural Center.

4. All student groups must have an adult supervisor present during their event.

5. According to the terms of the Hazle B. Ewing trust, Ewing Cultural Center is not available for political fundraising events or for the dissemination of information of a political nature.

 

Photo Policy

The Illinois State University Foundation, a private not-for-profit organization, owns and operates Ewing Cultural Center and the Genevieve Green Gardens.  It reserves the right to control the types of photographs taken on the property and to refuse to allow photographic activities that are inappropriate, disruptive or incompatible with the mission of the Foundation and of the Ewing Trust. It also reserves the right to terminate a photography session at any time if it is not in the best interest of the site and its guests.

Photographs are a wonderful way to remember your visit to the Genevieve Green Gardens.  We encourage visitors to take casual photographs for their own personal use, and they do not require a permit.  A permit is required for posed, formal photography.  Posed photography is defined as, but not limited to, family, graduation, engagement, wedding or other posed images of individuals or groups.  A permit is required whether the images are taken by a professional photographer or by an amateur acting in the role of a professional.

Professional photographers are permitted to use the house and/or grounds of Ewing Cultural Center at no charge when the photographer’s client is renting the Ewing Manor or its grounds for an approved event.  Then, as part of the rental fee paid for the use of Ewing facilities, the renter is permitted to have a professional photographer capture images of the event and individuals participating in the event.  Any photographs taken must be photographed during the time the facilities are contracted to the renter.

At no time is any area of Ewing Cultural Center to be used as a setting or backdrop for commercial photographs for the purpose of selling or advertising products or services.

Reservations are required for all photo sessions, and are subject to prior rental of the facilities. Reservations are accepted up to 30 days and no less than 4 days in advance of the shoot.  All photographs must be taken within normal hours of operation, which are 8:00 a.m. until dusk.  Sessions may be scheduled no later than one hour before dusk.

It is in the best interest of all persons concerned to be prompt.  Fees are not prorated, but rather are charged for an hour or portion of an hour.  Photographers will maximize their shoot time by scouting locations prior to the reservation time, and having all parties arrive by the scheduled time. 

Photographic Fees

Amateur photographers may purchase a Portrait Photography Permit (non-wedding) for non-exclusive use of the Gardens for one hour of shoot time for $25.00. Additional hours or portions of an hour are charged at the same rate. 

Professional photographers may purchase a Portrait Photography Permit (non-wedding) for non-exclusive use of the Gardens for $50.00 for 1-2 subjects and $75.00 for groups of 3 or more per hour.  Additional hours or portions of an hour are charged at the same rate. Any person receiving compensation for taking photographs is considered a professional photographer.

A Wedding Photography Permit for non-exclusive use of the Gardens may be purchased for $250.00 per hour or portions of an hour for a group of up to 20 people.  Please note that there is very limited availability for wedding photography. Most Saturdays in warm weather are reserved for wedding ceremonies and receptions at Ewing Cultural Center.  Those events supersede professional wedding photography.

Any person taking formal photographs without a permit will be asked to terminate session.

Photo Restrictions (for all photography):

• Do not walk in any planted, mulched or wooded area for any reason.  Always stay on paths and turf areas. Even though the flowerbeds look empty, perennial plant shoots are growing just below the surface of the soil.  Stepping on these shoots will kill the plants and compact the soil.
• Do not injure, disturb, damage, deface or remove any plant, plant part, plant identification marker, garden feature, rock or site furniture for any reason.
• Do not climb up, walk on or otherwise abuse trees, shrubs, plants, fences, walls, boulders or other garden features. Do not climb on or into any fountain or other water feature.
• Do not bring pets as part of your photo shoot; animals are not allowed on the property with the exception of assistance animals.
• ALL vehicles associated with the photo shoot must park at the St. John’s Lutheran Church lot, including limousines!  By prior arrangement, members of the group may be dropped off at the driveway of Ewing Cultural Center (via Sunset Road) and the vehicle can then be parked across the street.  You must cross to Ewing via the stoplight at the corner of Towanda and Emerson.
• There are no interior spaces available for photographs or in support of photo shoots, including bathroom facilities and rain shelters.
• Alcohol is not allowed at photo shoots.
• Only the Executive Director of Ewing Properties or her designee has the right to issue a photographic permit.

Some Friendly Reminders:

Our visitors at Ewing cultural Center and the Genevieve Green Gardens also want a pleasant experience.  Please be courteous and do not block pathways, stairways, entries or other areas to other visitors.  Remember that the facility is a place where visitors are welcome in public areas, and that regular business continues during normal operating hours.

Thank you for choosing the Genevieve Green Gardens for your wedding, family and individual portraits.

Click here to download photographic permit application:Photography Permit Agreement