What is Centre at the Forks? It is a public space overlooking the Forks of the Thames River / Deshkan Ziibiing for everyone to enjoy the view, meet a friend, take a class, eat lunch, listen to live music, attend community events, and more!
Open from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm unless a notice is posted on our Instagram story. You can also call the front desk at 519-661-0333 to find out.
Public Space
During the day, the Centre at the Forks (CATF) is open for you to use just like you would any other public space. Come in and use our WiFi, eat your lunch on the Terrace or on the cushions inside, meet a friend, or just have some relaxing personal time looking out onto the Forks of the Thames / Deshkan Ziibiing through our panoramic two-story windows. The CATF is fully wheelchair accessible and is open from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. Sometimes private events will be taking place in the CATF and the CATF will be closed to the public. If the CATF is closed for the day, we will post a notice on our Instagram story. You can also find out by calling the front desk at 519-661-0333.
Community Space
The Centre at the Forks is a space for everyone to feel welcome. In the Activity Space (see map below), we've hosted art classes for newcomer Canadians, conversation meet-ups for ESL students, yoga classes, literary and environmental festivals, and multicultural programming. Please click here to view our programs or sign up as a supporter to get our weekly e-newsletter and learn about future programs.
Programming Space
We now have 4,400 square feet of program space, which is double what we previously had! We strive to make our programs accessible to all community members and only charge a nominal fee. We also offer many free programs like Imagination Station, our free, drop-in, all-ages art making program every Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Performance Space
The Activity Space features a large polished concrete floor overlooking the river through two-storey windows on one side with ampitheatre-style seating on the other. The southern wall has a large video screen and there is a projector system and sound system as well. The space is a blank canvas for performers to use creatively. One of our first events was a live music and painting performance of Korean calligraphy and since then, we have hosted musical events ranging from orchestral performances to rock bands to DJs.
Rental Space
Contact Lisa McDougall, limcdoug@museumlondon.ca, for rental enquiries.
About
The "forks" in Centre at the Forks references the forks of the Thames River and also the antler in Deshkan Ziibiing (Antler River). For many years, the Museum has been adjacent to this historical part of the river and before 2018, there was no public space for people to enjoy the river all year round.
Opening up the Museum with a river view reminds people of its historic importance and its contemporary relevance to our city, an important first step in caring for the river and returning to it. So, how did we open ourselves to the river? We removed the back wall and replaced it with a two-story panoramic glass window. Now, all year round, anyone can view the river and be reminded of the importance of this historic water way.
The Centre is a place to broaden your horizons by taking art classes, watching films, listening to musicians, or participating in any number of the wide variety of programs that take place in our expanded program space, and a place that allows for community collaborations to take place.
The Centre is a place for the community to gather, inspire, and create.
We would like to thank our donors, the Campaign Cabinet, the board, and everyone involved who made this project possible.
Map
1. Wolf Sculpture Garden
Home to Ron Benner’s As The Crow Flies garden installation.
2. Good Foundation Terrace Perfect spot to rest in the shade and take a break from the city.
3. Clare Bice Studio An expanded classroom space with updated tools and services to support a broad range of creative activities. Every Sunday, we have our free, all-ages, drop-in art making program, Imagination Station.
4. The Pod Support services are housed in the lower level while the upper level, with its movable panels, offers an intimate meeting space or casual gathering spot.
5. Activity Space A multi-purpose area with built-in seating for a wide range of community activities. Visitors are welcome to hang out, eat, and use our WiFi while overlooking the river.
6. Atrium This area includes the Muse gift shop, the River Room restaurant, and the Rhino Lounge café.