Elevate your next private event by hosting it at the Brooklyn Museum, a venue like none other. From a sweeping glass pavilion to the century-old details of the Beaux-Arts Court, the Museum’s spaces are every bit Brooklyn: a thrilling mix of historical and cutting-edge.
Hosting your event here allows the Museum to further its mission: to bring people together through art and experiences that inspire celebration, compassion, courage, and the will to act.
Renting spaces at the Brooklyn Museum is an exclusive benefit of Membership. Find more details below.
Ready to get started? Submit an event inquiry form. You’ll hear back soon.
Types of events
Weddings and private events
For Director’s Circle Members
Elevate your special day by hosting your guests in the Museum’s timeless and unique spaces.
Corporate events
For Corporate Members
The Museum can accommodate a variety of corporate events, including cocktail receptions, seated dinners, screenings, conferences, fashion shows, holiday parties, and brand activations.
Nonprofit and university events
For Nonprofit and University Members
Host your organization’s next gala, fundraising event, or conference at the Brooklyn Museum.
Film shoots
From a modern glass-and-steel pavilion to the grandeur of the Beaux-Arts Court, the Museum has a space to fit your script. If you’re a professional location manager or scout, contact filmshoots@brooklynmuseum.org.
The spaces
Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Pavilion and Lobby
The modern, luminous Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Pavilion and Lobby immerses guests into an elevated art-filled experience upon arrival. Redesigned in 2004 by Polshek Partnership Architects, this elegant space features an expansive, sheer glass pavilion that overlooks the Museum’s vibrant public plaza. The brick piers that once enclosed the front doors have been excavated and restored, and are now on display. The grand pavilion artfully melds the building’s historical and contemporary components, giving any event a quintessentially Brooklyn feel.
CAPACITY
500 (standing cocktail reception)
300 (seated ceremony)
250 (seated dinner)
200 (seated dinner with dancing)
Beaux-Arts Court
The Beaux-Arts Court is an exquisite and timeless gallery featuring 10,000 square feet of open space and ceilings that rise 60 feet high, culminating in a dramatic skylight. It boasts historic features such as original archways, a large brass chandelier, and an updated glass-tile floor originally completed in 1927. The Beaux-Arts Court also offers a private green room with an en suite restroom.
CAPACITY
1,000 (standing cocktail)
880 (seated ceremony)
660 (seated dinner)
660 (seated dinner with dancing)
Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium
This 4,700-square-foot auditorium, located in the heart of the Museum, is equipped to fulfill all the audiovisual needs of your next event. The stage measures 56 by 22 feet and boasts a 28-by-16-foot screen that supports multiple projector formats. A complete front-of-house control system includes the capacity for recording and playback, wireless and intercom systems, ETC unison dimming racks, and live streaming. An assortment of equipment is available upon request, as is an adjacent green room with a private restroom.
CAPACITY
415 seats total (main floor and mezzanine)
280 seats (main floor)
Exclusive vendors
The Brooklyn Museum is pleased to present exclusive vendors to fulfill your special event needs.
Great Performances
The Museum’s exclusive caterer, Great Performances, provides custom catering devoted to extraordinary events. Fresh, local ingredients and fine-tuned culinary expertise are just the start. Great Performances’ services draw on years of experience, a carefully built infrastructure, and tireless dedication to quality. Packages are custom designed for each event and include food, beverages, staffing, and any equipment rentals. The Museum can connect you with a representative in the early stages of your event planning.
Eventlights, Inc.
If you need additional or special lighting, the Museum’s exclusive lighting vendor, Eventlights, Inc., can provide lighting design services, equipment, and labor.
GGMC Parking
For any special parking arrangements (valet, validation vouchers for guests, etc.), contact GGMC Parking, which runs the outdoor parking facility adjacent to the building.
Other vendors
You’re welcome to bring in additional vendors as long as (a) each vendor understands and follows all guidelines for facility rental, (b) you provide a list of all vendors, including contact information, in advance of your event, and (c) each vendor submits a valid Certificate of Insurance in advance of your event.
The Museum can provide a list of recommended vendors upon request.
FAQs
What kinds of events can I hold at the Museum?
All rental events held at the Museum must be private and can take place only when we are closed to the public. The events we host are:
Wedding ceremonies and receptions
Corporate events such as cocktail receptions, seated dinners, screenings, conferences, private exhibition access, fashion shows, holiday parties, and brand activations
Nonprofit events such as galas, conferences, and other fundraising opportunities
Are there any types of events that cannot be held at the Museum?
Art displays or exhibitions
Events for minors under 18 years of age, including children’s birthday parties and coming-of-age celebrations (except for Brooklyn Families Leaders)
Political fundraisers
Religious services (but we welcome your wedding/civil union ceremony!)
What spaces are available to rent?
Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Pavilion and Lobby
Beaux-Arts Court
Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium
When can my event be held?
Rental events can be held only when the Museum is closed to the public and are subject to calendar availability. See the Museum’s hours.
How much does it cost to rent space(s)?
Once you’ve submitted an inquiry and held an initial call or walk-through with the rentals team, a tailored proposal with all estimated fees based on your event scope—including spaces of interest, guest count, load-in and load-out time frame, etc.—will be provided.
What is the payment schedule?
Initial payment is due upon contract signature and consists of the membership fee and deposit. The remaining balance will be billed no later than sixty (60) days prior to the event and is due no later than ten (10) days after the final invoice is shared.
Do you have exclusive vendors, or can I hire my own?
For private rental events that require catering, lighting, or additional parking needs, the Brooklyn Museum has the following exclusive vendors:
Our exclusive caterer, Great Performances, provides custom catering devoted to extraordinary events. Fresh, local ingredients and fine-tuned culinary expertise are just the start. Services draw on years of experience, a carefully built infrastructure, and tireless dedication to quality. Packages are custom designed for each event and include food, beverages, staffing, and any equipment rentals. We can connect you with a representative in the early stages of your event planning at the Museum.
If you need additional or special lighting, our lighting vendor, Eventlights, Inc., must provide lighting design services, equipment, and labor.
For any special parking arrangements you might need (e.g., valet, validation vouchers for guests), contact our representative at GGMC Parking, the parking provider that runs our outdoor parking facility adjacent to the building.
You’re welcome to bring in additional vendors as long as:
Each vendor understands and follows all guidelines for facility rental.
You provide a list of all vendors, including contact information, in advance of your event.
Each vendor submits a valid Certificate of Insurance in advance of your event.
We are happy to provide a recommended vendor list upon request!
Is Membership required?
Yes. In order to hold a private event at the Museum, you must be a Member at the level specific to your event type.
What if I represent a school or nonprofit?
Submit an event inquiry form, and a rentals associate will get back to you shortly with more information.
How can I place a date on hold?
After having an initial call or walk-through with the rentals team, a soft hold can be placed on a date (pending calendar availability) that will last for up to two weeks. Dates are not fully confirmed until we receive a signed contract. We book only one event per day regardless of which event spaces are in use.
I’m ready! How do I rent a space?
To get started, submit an event inquiry form. A rentals associate will reach out to schedule an initial call or walk-through of the spaces. Following the initial call or walk-through, the rentals team will share a customized quote based on your specific event scope. Upon confirmation, we can share a contract for review and signature.