We are keen to make links with local community groups and organisations to support their membership to feel a sense of belonging in our spaces. One of the ways we do this is by offering some of our spaces for meetings and small events for free for these groups to use.
What kinds of groups are eligible for our Generous Hosting scheme?
Non-commercial groups based in St Albans and District who serve local communities. This may be charities, community groups or special school groups. We will prioritise groups who are part of our target audiences or who we are working with on other projects. For example, we have hosted H’Arts in Mind, a mental health and arts charity, who hold monthly workshops for their members in our Learning Studio. We also hosted a panel discussion with Black Futures to reflect on the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests.
What spaces can you offer?
We can offer the Learning Studio at St Albans Museum + Gallery, or one of the two lecture rooms at Verulamium Museum. The learning studio has a capacity of 30 theatre-style (perfect for a lecture) and 20 board-room style (perfect for workshops and meetings). Lecture Room 1 has a capacity of 50 theatre-style and 30 board-room style. Lecture Room 2 has a capacity of 30 theatre-style and 20 board-room style.
Learning Studio, St Albans Museum + Gallery
Lecture Room 1, Verulamium Museum
Lecture Room 2, Verulamium Museum
When can you use them?
These spaces are available during our opening hours and when they are not being used by schools or private bookings. The Learning Studio is available 11am-5pm Monday- Sunday, and the Lecture Rooms are available 3pm-4:30pm term time weekdays, 10-4.30pm during school holidays, and 11am-3:30pm on Saturdays. We may in special circumstances support groups who need to use a space out of hours, or who wish to use one of our larger spaces, though this may incur a small cost. These spaces are all wheelchair accessible. We generally provide use of the spaces for community groups up to once per month.
What furniture and equipment can you provide?
We are able to provide chairs and tables for your meeting or event. Please detail in your booking enquiry what set up you would like.
The learning studio and lecture rooms have projectors and screens for showing powerpoint presentations. If pre-arranged we can provide a basic PA system. Please discuss with us any equipment that you would like to bring into the building.
Can we bring in food and drink?
We have a café on site run by Leafi at St Albans Museum + Gallery who can provide refreshments for your group to buy on the day. Tea and coffee can be provided at Verulamium Museum at £2 per head. Leafi can also provide full catering for a charge and arranged in advance at both of our museum sites. Barring special circumstances we are unable to allow groups to bring in their own food and drink.
Are there any criteria for who can apply?
We don't have the ability to offer our spaces for free to everyone all of the time. We need to know how free use of our space will help the community group in question achieve its aims (no funding to pay for room hire or needing a city centre location for meetings) and also crucially how the group using our space will help us as a museum service achieve our own community engagement aims. This could mean the group aligns with one of our target audiences or we are hoping to work on a particular project together in the future.
How can we find out more about the generous hosting scheme?
If you would like to use one of our spaces, please complete a booking enquiry using the form below at least one month before your proposed booking. If we are able to accommodate you, we will ask you to complete an agreement with us to set out what we will be providing. Please await confirmation from us before publicising your event or completing any related bookings.