Rent the Museum

The RISD Museum is a unique and stunning venue for private events—accommodating corporate meetings, receptions, dinners, and lectures. Galleries, meeting rooms, a private garden, and our large auditorium offer you a range of spaces, large and small. In addition to your rented area, you may also add access to many of the Museum’s various and expansive galleries—enhancing your guests’ experience. The Museum is not available for political events, religious services, fundraisers, or temporary art displays. Our Events Specialist will meet with you by appointment to view Museum spaces and discuss your event needs. Browse the spaces and inquire below

 

large art gallery with long event tables set for a meal

Grand Gallery

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The centerpiece of the RISD Museum visitor experience, the Grand Gallery lives up to its name - offering an elegant and spacious backdrop for receptions, presentations, and banquets.

Capacity
A cocktail reception in the Grand Gallery accommodates up to 200 guests. The space can accommodate seated dinners for up to 120 guests.

Availability
Grand Gallery is available for rentals on Tuesdays – Sundays outside of the Museum’s public hours, or any time on Mondays when the Museum is closed. It is not available for rental during public hours of operation, which are 10am-5pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and 12pm-8pm on Thursdays.

Guidelines
Please inquire below to receive a complete list of Guidelines for Events at the RISD Museum, which renters must abide by. Please be aware:

  • No red wine, cranberry juice, tomato juice, or other red liquids are allowed in the Museum.
  • No open flames, no sternos, no electric cooking.
  • Special dances (4 persons or less) require pre-approval. No large dance floors.
  • Food and drink must remain in the Grand Gallery at all times.
  • All catering, floral, music, photographer and other vendor arrangements require additional Museum approval, at least 30 days prior to your event.

auditorium with a stage, without people

Metcalf Auditorium

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The Michael P. Metcalf Auditorium, located on the ground floor of the Chace Center, seats up to 200 people in fixed theater seating and has a full spectrum of audio visual capabilities. The adjacent Chace Lobby, a public space, is available for limited use in conjunction with your daytime event and is available outside of Museum public hours for private rental.

Capacity
200

Availability
Metcalf Auditorium is available for rental Tuesdays – Sundays during and outside of Museum public hours and any time on Mondays when the Museum is closed.

Guidelines
Please inquire below to receive a complete list of Guidelines for Events at the RISD Museum, which renters must abide by. Please be aware:

  • No red wine, cranberry juice, tomato juice or other red liquids are allowed in the Museum
  • Please Note: only bottled water is allowed in the auditorium
  • All catering, floral, music, photographer and other vendor arrangements require additional Museum approval, at least 30 days prior to your event


 Chace Lobby

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The sleek lobby of the Jose Rafael Moneo-designed Chace Center provides a modern backdrop for your reception, either on its own or in conjunction with a presentation in Metcalf Auditorium or a visit to adjacent galleries on the floors above.

Capacity
200

Availability
Chace Lobby is only available for rentals outside of the Museum’s public hours on Tuesdays – Sundays and any time on Mondays when the Museum is closed. It is not available for rental during public hours of operation, which are 10am-5pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and 12pm-8pm on Thursdays.

Guidelines
Please inquire below to receive a complete list of Guidelines for Events at the RISD Museum, which renters must abide by. Please be aware:/span>

  • No red wine, cranberry juice, tomato juice, or other red liquids are allowed in the Museum.
  • No open flames, no sternos, no electric cooking.
  • All catering, floral, music, photographer and other vendor arrangements require additional Museum approval, at least 30 days prior to your event.

cafe without people

Cafe Pearl

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The Pearl and Ernest Nathan Gallery, home to Café Pearl, is a sophisticated, modern setting for your small cocktail party or casual dinner.

Capacity
The space accommodates up to 75 guests for a reception or a seated dinner for up to 40 guests.

Availability
Cafe Pearl is only available for rentals outside of the Museum’s public hours on Tuesdays – Sundays and any time on Mondays when the Museum is closed. It is not available for rental during public hours of operation, which are 10am-5pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and 12pm-8pm on Thursdays.

Guidelines
Please inquire below to receive a complete list of Guidelines for Events at the RISD Museum, which renters must abide by. Please be aware:

  • No red wine, cranberry juice, tomato juice, or other red liquids are allowed in the Museum./span>
  • No open flames, no sternos, no electric cooking.
  • All catering, floral, music, photographer and other vendor arrangements require additional Museum approval, at least 30 days prior to your event.

conference room with one large table surrounded with chairs and a projection screen

Danforth Hall

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The Murray S. Danforth, Jr. and Helen Metcalf Danforth Lecture Hall, Gift of Mrs. Murray S. Danforth Jr., is a flexible space available for board meetings, presentations, cocktail receptions, or seated meals. 

Capacity
Meetings seat 20 conference-style; presentations 40 lecture-style; receptions can accommodate up to 75 guests; seated meals, up to 60 guests.

Availability
Unlike most other spaces at the Museum, Danforth Hall is available both during and outside of the Museum’s public hours of operation.

Guidelines
Please inquire below to receive a complete list of Guidelines for Events at the RISD Museum, which renters must abide by. Please be aware:

  • No red wine, cranberry juice, tomato juice, or other red liquids are allowed in the Museum.
  • No open flames, no sternos, no electric cooking.
  • All catering, floral, music, photographer and other vendor arrangements require additional Museum approval, at least 30 days prior to your event.


Radeke Garden 

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Radeke Garden is an enclosed courtyard featuring a variety of plants including a stately ginkgo tree. Especially beautiful in fall and spring, the Garden is not available in winter or during inclement weather.

Capacity
The Garden accommodates up to 75 guests for a reception or a seated dinner for up to 40 guests.

Availability
Unlike most other spaces at the Museum, the Radeke Garden is available both during the Museum’s public hours of operation and after hours.

Guidelines
Please inquire below to receive a complete list of Guidelines for Events at the RISD Museum, which renters must abide by. Please be aware:

Please inquire below to receive a complete list of Guidelines for Events at the RISD Museum, which renters must abide by. Please be aware:

  • No red wine, cranberry juice, tomato juice, or other red liquids are allowed in the Museum.
  • No open flames, no sternos, no electric cooking.
  • All catering, floral, music, photographer and other vendor arrangements require additional Museum approval, at least 30 days prior to your event.

General Information

MUSEUM AS A VENUE

The Museum is a perfect setting for your private or corporate event. RISD’s Events team works with you to ensure your goals are met in line with Museum protocols and regulations. The Museum is fully wheelchair accessible and a limited quantity of wheelchairs are available for visitor use. Because most spaces also contain works of art, events must be planned with care to avoid damage to the collection. No artwork will be repositioned for your event unless determined by the Museum, and music or activity that is deemed detrimental to event guests, the Museum, or the art collection is not permitted. All vendors, activities, and decorations must be approved in advance. Please inquire below to receive the full list of Guidelines.

Please note the museum is not available for rentals during peak academic times: September to October and mid-May to mid-June.

TYPES OF RENTALS

The RISD Museum is a unique and stunning venue for private events—accommodating corporate meetings, receptions, dinners, and lectures. Galleries, meeting rooms, a private garden, and our large auditorium offer you a range of spaces. In addition to your rented area, you may also add access to many of the Museum’s various and expansive galleries—enhancing your guests’ experience. 

If you are an organization with 501c3 status looking for a professional space within the Providence community to host work-related events (workshops, retreats, meetings, learning), complete this Community Rental Inquiry.

The Museum is not available for political campaign events, religious services, fundraisers, or temporary art displays.

PARKING

There are a number of paid parking lots within a few blocks of the Museum as well as on-street parking in the vicinity. Valet parking can be arranged separately.

CATERING

Renters are responsible for their own catering and vendor arrangements; all vendors must be submitted for approval at least 30 days prior to your event. The Event Specialist must review and approve menus and decorations at least 30 days prior to the event. 

 

Food service must avoid risk to artworks from spillage, staining, leakage, smoke or steam. No open flame (including sterno and propane burners) are allowed in any part of the museum at any time. Red wine, cranberry juice, tomato juice, and dark liquids must be avoided.

RISD Catering offers fantastic options and understands the complicated nature of executing menus at the Museum. You may also refer to the Approved Caterers list of additional authorized caterers. If using any other catering company, in order to be approved the caterer must complete a walk-through at least 30 days prior to your event and complete a “Temporary Approved Caterer” Agreement; a fee will be charged on your final invoice.

All alcoholic beverages must be served by a licensed bartender provided by a caterer who carries an off-premises liquor license and $1 million dollar liquor liability insurance. All applicable liquor laws must be followed.

AUDIO/VISUAL

Basic A/V equipment, including a microphone and speakers, podium, and small riser, is available for speaking programs or playing of recorded music. If you require additional equipment, an approved A/V company can be hired to provide these services. All A/V arrangements in the galleries must be approved by the Special Events Manager.

Metcalf Auditorium has a wide variety of A/V equipment; use of this equipment is included in the rental rate, but the services of an A/V Technician may require an additional fee.

 

Rental Requests

Complete the Rental Request Form Here