Looking to use our space?
In addition to our permanent galleries, the Museum of Croydon has two temporary exhibition spaces and an activity room that can be hired and used. We actively seek temporary exhibitions and activations that follow the Museum’s mission statement and vision:
The Museum of Croydon exists to collect, preserve, and interpret its diverse communities and heritage. We recognise Croydon’s citizens as experts in their own histories and we seek to inspire and enable meaningful learning experiences.
The Museum wishes to make a difference.
We seek to provide a space to celebrate our diversity and to explore how Croydon unites us. Our collections and spaces will represent every aspect of Croydon; as a place, a culture and an identity, in its own right, that challenges perceptions through empowering communities.
Our 2024-2026 exhibitions and public programming is inspired, but not restricted to, themes in Health & Wellbeing, Hands-on-Heritage, London Borough of Culture Legacy and Town Centre Regeneration. We do still welcome exhibitions not relating directly to Croydon and/or exhibitors not from Croydon.
How else can we support you?
The Museum can offer support for those wishing to exhibit or work with us, subject to staff/space availability by:
Through partnerships and collaborations
Writing letters of support for funding bids to use our spaces, collecting projects and/or collaborations
Hosting Artist in Residence programmes
Helping to devise/deliver outreach programmes (Inc. Croydon Library spaces)
Facilitating use of Museum and Handling Collection
Collecting projects
and much more….
Enquiries and Bookings
Read below for more information on spaces, availability, specifications, costs, FAQs and terms & conditions….
If still interested in using one of our spaces fill in the form here:
If you are interested in non-exhibition related support as listed above, email: museum@croydon.gov.uk
Current Availability:
No availability (Atrium and Exhibition Gallery) June - Mid Sept 2024.
No availability (Atrium and Exhibition Gallery) Feb - May 2025.
No availability (Exhibition Gallery) May - November 2025
Atrium
The Atrium is located in the central corridor of the Clocktower building, on level 0, close to the Riesco Gallery and Research Room.
The space consists of 4 usable walls with hanging system for temporary exhibitions.
Opening Times: Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm
Our spaces
Exhibition Terms & Conditions
All exhibitors are required to read and sign Exhibition Terms and Conditions to use our spaces. This includes internal Croydon Council departments.
SAMPLE supplied below:
You will also be asked to complete or contribute to:
Risk Assessment (install/exhibition)
Risk Assessment (if doing launch/private view event).
Exhibition Gallery
The Exhibition Gallery is located within the Croydon Archives’ Research Room, next to the Museum’s Activity Room on level 0.
The space consists of 4-5 usable walls of various sizes for temporary exhibitions.
Opening Times: Wednesdays & Fridays 11am to 4pm
Did you know that you can also hire and use other spaces in the Clocktower Building and Town Hall?
For information on other venues, hire fees and how to book click here:
Museum Guidance
Access and Interpretation
All exhibitors are required to follow best practice in access and interpretation. This enables us to be inclusive, allowing all visitors to fully experience exhibitions.
GUIDELINES supplied below:
Other recommended guides online:
Activity Space
The Activity Room is located within the Croydon Archives’ Research Room, close to the Exhibition Gallery.
The room can be hired for activities, events and meetings, and is particularly useful for programming relating to a current exhibition.
Space comes with chairs and tables.
Opening Times: Wednesdays & Fridays 11am to 4pm Subject to Availability
Loans In and Insurance
FOR EXHIBITION GALLERY ONLY
All exhibitors planning to exhibit objects and/or artworks (not including IT equipment/interpretation) are required to follow the Museum’s Loan In procedure. This allows us to make sure all objects are protected and insured.
This process includes a Loans In Agreement and Entry form. Once space is booked, the Collections Officer will be in touch.
CONTACT us for more information: museum@croydon.gov.uk
FAQS
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YES! The Atrium is open in line with the Clocktower building and the Exhibition Gallery on Weds and Fridays (11-4pm).
If you wish to see the Activity Room/Space or meet with a member of staff please book in advance via email: museum@croydon.gov.uk
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All costs are subject to change. The following is a guideline and bespoke packages can be made:
Atrium space: £550 a month
Exhibition gallery space: £220 a month
Activity space: £30 a hour (2 hr min)
Public programming is set up in timed blocks that have minimum set time period of use.
A concession rate for exhibition spaces may be available to local charities, community and support groups working with Croydon Council.
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On this page we have outlined standard hire costs and more potential costs can be found in the Exhibition Terms and Conditions.
We would never charge any additional costs without first talking to the exhibitor.
Out of hours events or installs can incur additional costs due to in-house and/or security staff being required.
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Payments can be made via card or bank transfer and we are able to generate invoices / receipts for you, on request. We do not accept cheque.
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The Museum essentially provides a white wall space, and in the Atrium a hanging system on white walls. Re-painting, foamboard panels, wallpapering, murals etc have all been completed before. We love new and creative ideas!
We ask that plans are shared in advance to your exhibition lead (Museum staff member) to check that the ideas fall in line with Health & Safety guidance for visitors and Loans In (if applicable). Your museum exhibition lead will be able to advise you of any restrictions in the space.
In addition we can recommend types of fixings for minimal damage to walls.
All exhibitors are required to return the walls back to how they first started. These will be inspected by staff on last day of de-install. We recommend taking photos prior to install/use of space for your records.
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NO, only objects requiring quarantine can be left on site in advance. We do not have suitable spaces to store items such as objects, artworks, interpretation or equipment. Items left on site can incur storage or disposal charges. We will only retain items for 3 months without successful contact before disposing of them.
We ask for all packing materials to be taken away with you. Any rubbish created in installs/de-installs must be removed and disposed of by exhibitors.
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Quarantining is the process the Museum does to isolate items before they go on display/storage in Museum Collection areas. You would be surprised to find many items can have hidden pests and hazards...from moths, booklice to asbestos.
We can isolate them for up to 2 weeks to check on their conditions. We only do this for collection areas, such as the Exhibition Gallery (not Atrium).
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We do not have any car parking facility available, there are bays around the building and various car parks within walking distance https://www.croydon.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/parking
The Loading bay is only available for loading and offloading items for installs, de-installs and events. This is a shared bay so must be booked in advance. Other close parking can be found on the street (limited time) and local carparks such as Fairfield Halls.
There is no height limit on the Clocktower loading bay.
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The Clocktower Building loading bay is located on Mint Walk, off from Fell Road. Mint Walk is one way. The loading bay is on the red brick building side opposite Access Croydon and Bernard Weatherill House. Its an open bay with shutters, it has no gate/barrier or height limit.
This space has to be booked in advance.
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Town Hall rents out following equipment, by day/event:
Data Projector & screen (£30), Microphone and speaker (£15), Flat Screen Screen TV (£30) and tables/chairs (FREE). (subject to availability)
Museum has following equipment for FREE for one off events only:
TV, Projector and tables/chairs available (subject to availability)
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YES, we welcome activities and events in relation to current exhibitions. Discuss with your Museum exhibition lead directly to arrange.
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YES, the Activity Room/Space does and depending on the activity this can differ. Ideally the space can not hold more then 30-40 people. Please discuss with Museum staff.
Please complete the booking form on our main page with number of people planned (including staff/volunteers) and we will be able to advise if this is a achievable number.
For other exhibition spaces we manage the numbers when open to the public internally. For events relating to your exhibition you will be guided by your Museum exhibition lead during planning stages.
All risk assessments will include limit of number of people in spaces and how this is monitored.
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NO, we welcome other exhibitions into our temporary exhibition spaces.
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For an event relating to an activity and/or exhibition:
Any catering requirements should be arranged directly with our preferred commercial caterer and should be discussed direct via email clocktowercafe@hotmail.com
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You can bring in your own catering providing that you fill in the “catering disclaimer form”, all waste is removed when you leave and disposed directly by yourself.
If you wish to use our facilities, a cleaning fee of £75.00 will apply (subject to availability).
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YES, you can sell but only from the Arts Bar which will need to be booked along with the Braithwaite Hall or cinema as this is the only space licensed to sell alcohol and only by license holders.
The retail sale of alcohol may in addition be available in other rooms if the hirer applies for a TEN* and provide a copy of it (once approved) at least 48 hours prior to the event. * https://www.croydon.gov.uk/business/licences/entertain/ten
The provision of alcohol at an event (free of charge or on sale) is allowed but increases risks and additional security charges may apply based on the type of event, activities, and time the event is taking place, this should be picked up in the Event Risk Assessment.
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Security guards are provided by contractors Profile. As of June 2024 cost per hour is £22. Minimum bookable hours is 8 hours.
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NO, all “naked” flames are banned from the building this also include fuel gel (often used in commercial catering).
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Once space is booked you will be assigned a Museum exhibition lead. They are your person to contact to coordinate/diarise the exhibition plans. Look at our Exhibition Terms and Conditions on Museum staff time.