Special Events Rental
Inside Special Events Rental:
The Eunice Ratner Reception Gallery at the Smart Museum provides an architecturally striking space suitable for a wide array of events – including wedding receptions, recruiting events, intimate dinners, seated lectures and music recitals. During your event, you and your guests will have a private opportunity to explore the Museum. Tours of our special exhibitions and permanent collection are also available to enhance your party or dinner. Members of the Smart Museum receive a special 20% discount on special event rental rates.
If you have any additional questions, please contact Sarah Polachek at 773.612.1536 or smart-events@uchicago.edu.
Availability
The Eunice Ratner Reception Gallery and adjacent outdoor Elden Sculpture Garden are available for receptions after Museum hours, most weekday and weekend evenings, excluding Thursdays during the school year. To assure you will be able to enjoy your special event at the Smart Museum, we recommend making reservations at least two months in advance.
Event Possibilities
The Eunice Ratner Reception Gallery and beautiful Elden Sculpture Garden provide a unique indoor/outdoor location for your event. From intimate gatherings to stand up receptions and elegant sit-down dinners, the Smart Museum can accommodate the following:
- Sit-down dinners for up to 80 people
- Buffet receptions for up to 175 people
- Cocktail receptions for up to 300 people
- Seated lectures and recitals for approximately 75 chairs
- Fully tented sculpture garden for a sit-down dinner of up to 250 people
Please Note: Museum policy does not permit the use of the space for political meetings or events, fundraising, merchandising activity of any kind, or religious meetings and ceremonies, or any activities that violate the law or city regulations or are dangerous to people or property.
Thursday Evenings
The Smart Museum partners with University of Chicago student groups, student organizations, and residence halls to host open house events, receptions, readings, concerts, and other events at the Museum on Thursday evenings. The Smart is available at no cost to these groups from 5:30–7:30 pm on Thursday evenings during our public hours.
For more information or to reserve a date, contact Sarah Polachek at 773.612.1536 or smart-events@uchicago.edu.