Willow Grove Cultural Commons

Overview

Opening Soon! The Grove provides free and reduced-fee space for traditional artists and folk groups to use for rehearsals, recordings, meeting, workshops and performances. The Grove consists of 1800sf of interior space with a small kitchen, and open space for creative activities with a full wall of mirrors. An outdoor amphitheater can fit about 75 people.

Interested in using the Grove for an activity? Please begin by submitting this application to introduce yourself. A staff member will get back to you with information on how to reserve the space.

Support

Through the generosity of many funders, including the State of Maryland, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Montgomery County, the museum has raised $2 million toward the construction and furnishing of the Willow Grove Cultural Commons. We are continuing to seek funds to ensure that Sandy Spring Museum can provide equitable access to the Grove and support for individual artists and groups in a long-term, financially sustainable way. Philanthropic support will allow the museum, which in the past has relied heavily on earned income and extremely competitive grant funds, to allocate space, resources, and assistance to traditional artists and groups at little to no expense to them.

Your gift to the Willow Grove Cultural Commons at Sandy Spring Museum will:

Promote social equity and connect people to Montgomery County's storied past, present, and future.
Create more expert-led, artist-led, and community-led initiatives and experiences.
Advance the role of Sandy Spring Museum as a leader in the discussion of cultural heritage and community engagement, regionally and nationally.

Together, we can create a more inclusive and vibrant community where every culture is celebrated and cherished.

Naming opportunities at the Willow Grove Cultural Commons are available at a range of levels. To learn more, please contact Kim Keller.

Donate

Cultural Artist Highlights

Ben Kepler
multi-instrumentalist and leader, Bluegrass Jam

“Musicians and traditional artists need space where they can come together, inspire one another, and build a supportive community. Montgomery County is home to masters of performing and visual arts. The creation of the Willow Grove Cultural Commons will benefit all of us and provide audiences with opportunities to explore many rich cultural traditions.”

Angel Rivera
percussionist and founder and leader, Cultura Plenera

“Sharing Puerto Rican culture and traditions is our North Star. Sandy Spring Museum is our preferred location for events, including concerts in the Plena and Bomba Afro-Puerto Rican musical genres. The Willow Grove Cultural Commons will enable us to present more cultural expressions, including traditional visual arts and food.”

Jalal Kimia
percussionist and leader, Drum Circle

“Sandy Spring Museum has been an incredible partner in supporting my Drum Circle project. They provide the perfect space and manage everything from registration to promotion, allowing me to meet new people, expand my network, and share my art with a wider audience…Without their unwavering support, it would be much harder to continue this journey of creative expression and community building.”

Diana Weinroth
vocalist, Orfeia Vocal Ensemble

“Orfeia is a collective of women vocalists working in the musical traditions of Bulgaria and Eastern Europe. By providing a space where artists can freely work, rehearse, and engage with the community, the hub will empower us and other traditional artists to expand our reach and deepen our impact.”

Julia Tagliere
Moco Underground Writers Workshop

“When I first visited Sandy Spring Museum some eleven years ago, I immediately recognized the potential for something bigger. As a writer, I saw a growing need for a public gathering space to focus not just on learning about or preserving our history but also where all could explore our common humanity through artistic and cultural experiences. Therefore, seeing the new Willow Grove Cultural Commons taking shape now is tremendously exciting. I'm already imagining the rich, meaningful, illuminating experiences that will take place there for years to come. I look forward to seeing you there soon.”

Suteera Nagavajara
dancer and artistic director, Somapa Thai Dance Company

“The Somapa Thai Dance Company enjoys performing at Sandy Spring Museum. We have also used the museum’s library to rehearse. Because the library isn’t always available, and we have no other space, our 8-10 dancers and musicians drive to a member’s distant home for weekly practice. The museum is much closer to most of us, and the Willow Grove Cultural Commons will provide us with a much more central location for rehearsals. In addition, it will be a wonderful place to engage students and train the next generation of dancers and musicians.”