Willow Grove Partners

Learn about eligibility, applications, shared responsibilities, and resources for using Willow Grove Cultural Commons.

Willow Grove Cultural Commons interior
Kenneth M. Wynen Photography

Folk and traditional artists may use Willow Grove Cultural Commons to host workshops, rehearsals, meetings, performances, and more. Unlike traditional venue rentals, there is no upfront rental cost for partner use of this space—and what’s more, Willow Grove Cultural Commons is staffless, meaning that artists can use it outside of regular museum hours and without staff supervision. Willow Grove Partners can access the space 24/7 through a keypad affixed to Willow Grove Cultural Commons’s exterior entrance using individualized, temporary keypad codes.

To access this major benefit of museum membership, please start by completing the application to become a Willow Grove Partner. Willow Grove Partners may be individual museum members or organizations/groups represented by an individual with active museum membership. Strong candidates include folk and traditional artists who demonstrate active engagement in cultural heritage, and who seek to use Willow Grove for cultural heritage activities.

Prior to submitting an application, we encourage prospective Willow Grove Partners to review the Willow Grove Cultural Commons Introduction and Policies for Use. (opens in a new tab)

Willow Grove Partner Application

  1. Complete Willow Grove Partner Application form.

  4. Formally receive Willow Grove Partner status, including access to the Willow Grove Cultural Commons online booking portal.

Willow Grove Partner Application

Required

Please tell us about yourself:
Mailing Address

Enter your mailing address in the separate fields below.

Are you a member of Sandy Spring Museum, or willing to become a member as a condition to being granted status as a Willow Grove Partner?

Willow Grove Partners are required to maintain active membership at Sandy Spring Museum. Membership makes you part of the museum family and helps support the many benefits we provide to the community. Membership pricing and benefits may be viewed at Museum Membership

Please tell us about your art:
Are you applying as an individual, or on behalf of a group or organization?

For group/organization applications only.

Please help us understand how you would like to use Willow Grove:
Which statement best describes your interest in becoming a Willow Grove Partner?
Do you envision using Willow Grove on a regular basis for recurring activities?
Will you charge entrance/admission fees for participants attending your activities? (The museum must manage collection of fees and that fees are subject to a standard revenue share agreement.)
According to your above answer, you will charge (or sometimes charge) entrance/admission fees from participants attending your activities. Please note that these fees are subject to a revenue share requirement. The museum MUST manage collection of fees and Willow Grove Partners are prohibited from independent collection of fees or money exchange.
Please estimate how many people you believe will attend a typical activity. The indoor space can accommodate about 50 people. The outdoor plaza can be arranged to seat 75, or host more than 100 people for reception-style events.
When are you most likely to use Willow Grove? Please check all that apply.
Do you want to be listed in our directory of Willow Grove Partners?

Sandy Spring Museum hopes to launch an opt-in directory for Willow Grove Partners that will be made available to all Willow Grove Partners for purposes of community building and potential collaboration. If your application is successful, your name, organization’s name, email address, and phone number will be listed in your profile along with a description of your art. Sandy Spring Museum will not make this directory public.

Please select one:

Revenue Share Agreement

Willow Grove Partners never pay an upfront venue rental fee. Partners who host private events without registration and/or events with free registration may use the space for free. Partners who generate revenue at Willow Grove Cultural Commons through registration fees or product sales share a small portion of their revenue with the museum.

Total Event RevenueMuseum Retainer*Artist Payout
FREE Event (No charge to participants)$0$0
Event with entrance fee20%80%

*Rates are subject to revision at any time, at the sole discretion of Sandy Spring Museum

Willow Grove FAQ’s

Who is eligible to become a Willow Grove Partner?

Strong candidates include folk and traditional artists with active museum membership who demonstrate active engagement in cultural heritage, and who seek to use Willow Grove Cultural Commons for cultural heritage activities. If this describes you, please apply!

How long is the process for becoming a Willow Grove Partner?

Once you have initiated the process of becoming a Willow Grove Partner by filling out the online Willow Grove Partner Application, onboarding can be completed in as little as one week.

If the Grove is staffless, how do I get in?

Willow Grove Partners use the space without staff supervision. Regardless of whether your reservation time takes place when the museum is open or closed, you should access the space using the outdoor keypad affixed to Willow Grove Cultural Commons’s exterior entrance. Your code will be individualized and specific to your reservation, and you will receive it three business days ahead of your scheduled reservation at Willow Grove Cultural Commons.

Will museum staff provide event setup/takedown?

No. Willow Grove Partners utilize Willow Grove Cultural Commons independently, meaning that museum staff will not provide event setup or takedown. Willow Grove Partners should account for setup and takedown needs when reserving time at Willow Grove Cultural Commons.

Can I serve food and beverage during my reservation?

Willow Grove Partners may serve food and beverage (including alcohol) so long as they adhere to the Kitchenette and Catering Policy/Alcohol Policy outlined in the Willow Grove Cultural Commons Introduction and Policies for Use (opens in a new tab)

What happens if I can’t make my reservation?

We understand that plans change. However, as Willow Grove Cultural Commons is a community space with finite capacity, we ask that Willow Grove Partners who no longer require a reservation cancel it as soon as possible, either through the online booking portal or by reaching out to the Cultural Heritage Manager

Please be aware that in order for us to ensure Willow Grove Cultural Commons can be fully utilized, Willow Grove Partners who frequently cancel reservations within seven days or less of the reservation date (including no-shows) may risk loss of partner status. Willow Grove Partners can review the full cancellation policy in the Willow Grove Cultural Commons Introduction and Policies for Use (opens in a new tab).

Willow Grove Partner Resources

Quick links:

Willow Grove Cultural Commons Introduction and Policies for Use (opens in a new tab)
Willow Grove Community Agreement (opens in a new tab)
Willow Grove MOU (opens in a new tab)

Have a question about your Partner status, or about using Willow Grove Cultural Commons?

Please email the Cultural Heritage Manager.

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