Rent the
    Museum

    Celebrate in a unique and spacious venue with three floors of engaging exhibits your guests will love exploring.

    The Museum Expansion Project is in progress. Construction is focused on the exterior of the building. 

    Please contact your Event Coordinator for further details to determine what will be underway at the time of your event. 

    Whether you’re looking for a wedding venue or a large space for a holiday party, prom, or corporate meeting, bring your vision to life by renting all or part of the Grand Rapids Public Museum. 

    With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Grand River, a vintage carousel, and world-class exhibits within reach, you and your guests will make memories that last.

    We can’t wait to hear the vision for your event and customize every detail to fit.

    All Rentals Include:

    • A GRPM event staff member to coordinate and be at your event
    • Tables & chairs
    • Spectacular views and unforgettable memories 

    Rental Guidelines

    General Rental Guidelines
    Wedding Rental Guidelines
    Prom Rental Guidelines
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    Rental Rates

    First Floor

    Includes our elegant Galleria with dance floor, and our popular The Streets of Grand Rapids exhibit.

    Accommodates 275 guests for a seated reception or 350 guests for a cocktail-style event.

    Tables with white linens on the second floor of the Museum

    First & Second Floor

    Includes our impressive Galleria with dance floor, The Streets of Old Grand Rapids exhibit, plus first and second floor exhibits.

    Accommodates 375 guests for a seated reception or 550 guests for a cocktail-style event.

    View from third floor of the museum overlooking the steam engine and City Hall Clock

    Whole Building

    Perfect for large company and convention events, choosing the entire building allows your guests to roam the first floor and all core second and third floor exhibits. Special exhibitions galleries can be added to your rental for a per person fee.

    Accommodates seating for 400 guests or 2,000 guests for a cocktail-style event.

    Rental Add-ons

    The Museum offers add-on options for your event from additional space you may need or to make your event extra special by including a Chaffee Planetarium Show.  

    • Chaffee Planetarium Show 
    • Private Classroom Meeting Space 
    • Meijer Theater 
    • Museum Cafe Space 
    Earth shown on Chaffee Planetarium dome

    Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium

    Upgraded Museum classroom with new floors, paint, tables, chairs and whiteboards

    Classroom Space

    Museum Cafe with tables and chairs socially distanced

    Museum Cafe

    Weddings at the Museum

    We offer two stunning locations for your wedding ceremony: inside the Meijer Theater or the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium. As a lead wedding venue in Grand Rapids, we customize each detail to match your vision. 

    We include a one-hour rehearsal the day before and dedicated support from our event coordinator and AV staff. On your wedding day, you’ll have access to a large dressing room, perfect for putting on the final touches.

    Please note that all ceremonies start at 6:00 p.m. or later and require that the wedding reception also be held at the GRPM.

    Bride and Groom leaving ceremony in Meijer Theater

    Meijer Theater

    Wedding ceremonies in our spacious Meijer Theater include theater seating for 255 guests
    and full audiovisual capabilities.

    Bridesmaid, bride, groom and best man at alter in planetarium wedding

    Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium

    Ceremonies held under the night sky in the Chaffee Planetarium include seating for 147 and full audiovisual capabilities.

    Rental Details

    Beverage service must be provided through the Museum and served in accordance with City and State liquor licensing regulations. This includes cash and sponsored bars, champagne toasts, wine service with dinner, alcoholic and non-alcoholic punch, sodas and bottled water. To assist you in your beverage planning contact Katy Mork. Food and beverages are permitted in all pre-approved areas only and may not be removed from the premises. All beverage sales are subject to 6% Michigan sales tax and a 21% service fee. All bars are to close one half-hour prior to the end of the event.

    Parking for your guests is available in the Museum’s 209-space parking ramp. There is a $15 charge for each vehicle parked in the ramp. If you would like to cover this cost on behalf of your guests, visit grandrapidsmi.gov

    Caterers must be selected from the pre-authorized list of caterers. All caterers are subject to an 18% catering royalty charge, which they pay directly to the Museum, allowing them use of our kitchen and facility. All Saturday events are expected to purchase food when renting the GRPM. Should a client have no food service or have donated food service for a Saturday event, there will be a minimum $500 charge

    Pre-Authorized Caterers:

    All entertainment, musicians, photographers and rental equipment (i.e. tents, chairs, piano, etc.) must be cleared through the Hospitality Office. Quad speakers or systems that need to be wired across the dance floor will not be allowed in the Museum. The individual, group or organization seeking use of the GRPM assumes liability for damage to the Museum and exhibits by the lessee’s contractors, if any, such as florists, musicians, rental companies, etc. who are hired to provide services.

    The use of oval tables (seat 8-10 people), short/tall cocktail tables, and 8-foot tables (for catering, gifts, registration, etc.) are included in the rental cost of the Museum, as well as set-up and tear down time and clean up of the Museum.

    *All receptions are allowed one-half hour after the contracted end time of the event for the removal of items brought into the Museum.

    **All Museum rentals require a 100 person minimum for all events.

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