What kinds of events can I hold at the Museum?
Wedding ceremonies and receptions, private and corporate events such as cocktail parties and seated dinners, and other adult celebratory occasions (to be determined at the sole discretion of the Museum) are permitted.
Fundraising events are permitted only if (a) the fundraising event does not conflict with the Museum’s own fundraising activities and (b) the sale of products and services does not take place at the event.
The Museum does not permit rental of its facilities for the following: art displays or exhibits; events for minors under 18 years of age, including children’s birthday parties and coming-of-age celebrations; political fundraisers; or religious services (excluding wedding/civil union ceremonies). Events that disrupt or conflict with the primary use of the building as a public art museum will not be permitted.
When and where can my event take place?
Private events may only take place when the Museum is closed to the public.
The Museum will not schedule private events on Museum holidays and holiday weekends or during the weekend of its Target First Saturdays program (first weekend of every month).
Events are often booked up to 12 months in advance. Because of its extensive exhibition schedule and public programs, the Museum has limited dates available for facility rental. Please contact the Museum well in advance to increase the likelihood of securing your desired date.
Events may take place only in the designated spaces listed on the Museum’s Facility Rental webpage. Please keep in mind that works of art may be placed and exhibited in these designated spaces at any given time. Availability of spaces is subject to change without notice.
Clients may use up to three available Museum spaces in succession during an event. Spaces may not be used simultaneously.
How much does it cost to rent space(s)?
Fees are calculated for clients upon request once an in-person site visit to the Museum has been completed or the client has fully discussed all aspects of their event with a Special Events representative if an in-person visit is not possible owing to travel or other concerns.
Clients will receive a tailored proposal outlining the estimated fees for their event, which will be comprised of the following as applicable:
Membership fee (minimum $350 for individual; $500 for corporation/organization)
All facility rental clients must become members of the Museum (if they are not already active members) at the time a rental application is submitted. Learn more about the benefits of Brooklyn Museum membership.
Standard event use fee ($5,000)
A standard event is attended by up to 250 guests for up to 5 hours. Additional fees will apply if the event falls outside of the standard event parameters; for example, if an event requires load-in and/or set-up on another calendar day, an additional day’s use fee of $5,000 will apply.
Staff fees ($5,000–$20,000+)
Fees for security, operations, and specialized Museum technicians required for set-up, staffing, and breakdown of the event. The number of staff required for an event is determined by the Museum and is nonnegotiable. Fees will be calculated based on event parameters.
Time extension fee ($2,000 per hour)
For events lasting over 5 hours or running past midnight, whichever occurs first, an additional fee of $2,000 per hour to keep the building open for your event will apply.
Additional guest fee ($10 per person)
For events with expected attendance of more than 250 guests, an additional fee of $10 per additional guest will apply.
The Museum requires a deposit by check or credit card to secure a date for an event.
Does the Museum have exclusive vendors, or can I hire my own?
The Museum has three exclusive vendors which clients are required to use:
Restaurant Associates is the Brooklyn Museum’s exclusive on-site caterer. All clients must arrange catering through Restaurant Associates for any events at the Museum where food and/or drink is served or provided.
For special catering requests (Kosher and Halal options, etc.), please contact Samantha Strassberg, Catering Sales Manager, at (718) 501-6408 or by email at sstrassberg@restaurantassociates.com.
Eventlights, Inc. is the Museum’s exclusive lighting vendor. Eventlights, Inc. must provide lighting design services, equipment, and labor for all events at the Museum requiring additional lighting.
GGMC Parking is the Museum’s exclusive parking provider. GGMC Parking operates the Museum’s outdoor parking facility adjacent to the Museum. Clients must make all special parking arrangements for events (e.g., valet, validation vouchers for guests) directly with the Museum’s representative at GGMC Parking.
Clients may bring in additional vendors provided that (a) client ensures that each vendor understands and adheres to all Museum rules and regulations for facility rental, (b) client provides a complete list of vendors including contact information to the Museum in advance of the event, and (c) client ensures that each vendor submits a valid Certificate of Insurance to the Museum in advance of the event.
A list of recommended vendors is available upon request. The Museum reserves the right to disallow vendors whose services prove harmful or damaging to the Museum and its collection in any way.
How do I submit an inquiry for facility rental?
Requests for facility rental are currently accepted by email only. To submit an inquiry, please email the following information to rentals@brooklynmuseum.org:
Client Contact Information
- First and last name of client(s)
- Name of company/organization (if applicable)
- Name of event planning company and contact person (if applicable)
- Complete mailing address
- Phone number
- Email address
Event Information
- Event type (e.g., wedding ceremony/and or reception, fundraiser, cocktail party, seated dinner)
- Preferred event date (or preferred month and year, if your dates are flexible) and time
- Estimated guest count
Owing to the high volume of rental requests the Museum receives, incomplete submissions may not be answered. Thank you in advance for your patience.
A Special Events representative will contact you once your request has been received to schedule an appointment for an in-person site visit. Site visits are available by appointment only during regular office hours, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Thank you for your interest in the Brooklyn Museum. We look forward to working with you on your event!
Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum
