Located at Sandy Spring Museum, Willow Grove Cultural Commons supports folk and traditional artists by providing flexible access to space for performances, rehearsals, recordings, workshops, and meetings at no upfront cost.
Willow Grove Cultural Commons reimagines how museums can support traditional artists and the cultural communities they represent. We provide artists with space and resources to rehearse, teach, collaborate, and share their traditions on their own terms. By investing in the people who keep cultural traditions alive, the Museum helps sustain living traditions while creating opportunities for the wider community to experience and engage with them.
Learn how to become a Willow Grove PartnerImagine how you can use Willow Grove to carry on your traditions, share them with the community and teach the next generation.
A 1300-square foot open space with skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows
10 rectangular folding tables (6’x30”) and 52 folding chairs stored on rolling carts
A wall of mirrors
Sound-proofing curtains and acoustic panels
A kitchenette with a refrigerator/freezer with a water dispenser
Use of the Digital Folklife Lab equipment with prior approval
A 934-square foot performance stage
Flexible seating for up to 75 guests
Exterior lighting
A sound system
The Digital Folklife Lab (DFL) supports traditional artists by giving them the tools, skills, and knowledge to share their work via digital means, at a very affordable price.
Sandy Spring Museum strives to be a conscientious steward of Willow Grove Cultural Commons and of the generous community support that made it possible. When Willow Grove Cultural Commons is not in use by Willow Grove Partner Artists for cultural heritage activities, it is available for rent by other community members or groups.
Private rentals are subject to Sandy Spring Museum’s standard rental policies. Rental requests can be requested through the museum’s rentals page
Explore rentals and make an inquiry
Thank you to everyone whose generosity helped make Willow Grove Cultural Commons possible.
Meet the donors and supporting artists and partners who made Willow Grove Cultural Commons possible.
