Kenneth M. Wynen Photography

Willow Grove Partners

Folk and traditional artists may use Willow Grove to host workshops, rehearsals, meetings, performances, and more. Unlike traditional venue rentals, there is no upfront rental cost for use of Willow Grove. What’s more, Willow Grove is a staffless space—meaning that artists can use it outside of regular museum hours and without staff supervision. Willow Grove users can access the space 24/7 through a keypad affixed to Willow Grove’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 the 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.

Willow Grove Partner Application

Step 1: Complete the Willow Grove Partner online application

Step 2: Meet with Sandy Spring Museum’s Cultural Heritage Manager

Step 3: Review and sign the Willow Grove Community Agreement and Willow Grove MOU.

As Willow Grove Partnership is contingent upon active maintenance of museum membership, any interested parties who are not active members must obtain membership at this stage in order to proceed. Memberships may be purchased online.

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

Museum-Hosted Registration for Public Events

In the spirit of collaboration, Willow Grove Partners who host events that are open to the public must allow the museum to add the event to our public calendar, manage registration in advance, and where applicable, collect entrance fees.

Revenue Share Agreement

Willow Grove Partners never pay an upfront venue rental fee. Partners who host non-ticketed private events and/or ticketed events that have no admission fee may use the space for free. Partners who generate revenue at Willow Grove through ticket or product sales share a small portion of their revenue with the museum.

Willow Grove FAQ's

  • 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 for cultural heritage activities. If this describes you, please apply!

  • 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.

  • 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’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.

  • No. Willow Grove Partners utilize Willow Grove 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.

  • 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

  • We understand that plans change. However, as Willow Grove 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 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.

Grove Partner Resources

Quick links:

Willow Grove Cultural Commons Introduction and Policies for Use
Willow Grove Community Agreement
Willow Grove MOU

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

Please contact the Cultural Heritage Manager at culturalheritage@sandyspringmuseum.org.