Event Spaces

Spaces available for private rental at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum:

- The Cloisters surrounding the Courtyard
- Café G
- Calderwood Hall
- Gallery Rentals
- Entire Museum Rental

Download Full Site Plan in PDF (1.61 MB)

The Cloisters Surrounding the Courtyard

As the visual centerpiece of the Gardner Museum, the historic building's central flower-filled courtyard stimulates the senses with floral scents, trickling fountains, and extraordinary ancient art. Fully enclosed and climate controlled, the courtyard is surrounded by 3,000 square feet of art-filled stone cloisters which can accommodate up to 200 for a standing reception.

Maximum Capacity
Reception: 200 guests

Square Footage: 3000 sq. ft.

Availability
Monday, Wednesday, Friday-Sunday
8:00am-10:00am and 6:30pm-Midnight

Tuesday
8:00am-Midnight (limited)

Rental Fee
$8,000 | $6,000 of this fee qualifies as a tax-deductible donation

Download Cloisters Floor Plan in PDF (479 KB)
Download Cloisters One Sheet in PDF (181 KB)
Download Cloisters Images in PDF (899 KB)

Café G

Located on the first floor of the museum's new wing and boasting floor-to-ceiling glass walls, modern aesthetics, and bluestone floors, Café G is the perfect location for a reception, breakfast or dinner. The adjoining terrace surrounded by lush landscaping is ideal for dining alfresco or pre-dinner cocktails. The terrace is fair-weather only and cannot be tented.

Maximum Capacity
Café G
Reception: 115 guests
Seated: 90 guests
Meeting: 60 guests
Theatre: 100 guests

Terrace
Reception: 100 guests
Seated: 60 guests

Square Footage
Café: 1400 sq. ft.
Terrace: 880 sq. ft.

Availability
Monday, Wednesday, Friday-Sunday
8:00am-10:00am and 6:30pm-Midnight

Tuesday
8:00am-Midnight (limited)

Rental Fee
$4,000 | $3,000 of this fee qualifies as a tax-deductible donation

Download Café Floor Plan in PDF (379 KB)
Download Café G One Sheet in PDF (186 KB)

Calderwood Hall

Calderwood Hall is a world class 300-seat, flexible-use hall available for meetings and private concerts. Three balcony levels around a central performance area offer front row seats for all. Stage-level seating can be configured for any setup. A retractable screen, visual projection, and existing theater-quality lighting options make for a unique meeting or presentation venue.

Maximum Capacity
Meeting: 50 guests
Theatre: 300 guests

Square Footage: 2000 sq. ft.

Availability
Monday, Wednesday, Friday-Saturday
8:00am-10:00am and 6:30pm-Midnight

Tuesday
8:00am-Midnight (limited)

Rental Fee
$8,000 | $6,000 of this fee qualifies as a tax-deductible donation

Download Hall Floor Plan in PDF (246 KB)
Download Hall One Sheet in PDF (327 KB)

Gallery Rentals

An event at the Gardner Museum would not be complete without inviting your guests to enjoy the museum's unparalleled collection with our guides. Exclusive access to the historic galleries or the 2,000-square-foot Special Exhibition Gallery within the new wing can be added to your event rental. Museum guides, private tours, and interactive art experiences may also be arranged to enhance the experience.

The Cloisters surrounding the Courtyard may also be rented as a "Gallery" allowing guests to explore the historic building without using the space as a reception location.

Rental Fee
$2,000 for the Cloisters as a Gallery
Note: Can only be rented in addition to the Café or the Calderwood Hall

$1,000 for 3rd Floor Historic Galleries
Note: Can only be rented in addition to the Cloisters and 2nd Floor Galleries

$1,000 for Special Exhibition Gallery (New Wing)
Note: Can only be rented in addition to the Café or the Calderwood Hall

Entire Museum Rental

The entire museum may be rented for private events. Rental includes the Cloisters and two levels of historic galleries, plus the entire first floor of the new wing (including the Café, Living Room, and Lobby), Special Exhibition Gallery, and the Calderwood Hall.

Maximum Capacity
Reception: 425 guests
Seated: 90 guests
Theatre: 300 guests

Availability
Monday, Wednesday, Friday-Saturday
8:00am-10:00am and 6:30pm-Midnight

Tuesday
8:00am-Midnight (limited)

Rental Fee
$25,000 | $20,000 of this fee qualifies as a tax-deductible donation

Not included in the Venue Rental Fee are fees for services provide by outside vendors such as: audio visual, parking, valet, live musicians, etc.