Rent the
    Museum

    Host Your Event at the
    Grand Rapids Public Museum!

    The Museum Expansion Project is underway. Construction is focused on the exterior of the building, but does impact the Carousel. This phase of the project will last through Summer 2025. 

    Further work on the Museum expansion is expected to begin in 2025. This will impact the future availability of interior spaces.

    The GRPM Hospitality Team expects updates on the construction schedule, please contact your Event Coordinator for further details.

    The GRPM is an exciting venue filled with never-ending inspiration and curiosity, creating a unique venue for your event. From weddings and proms, to corporate events, holiday parties, and social gatherings, the Museum transforms into an unforgettable space for you and your guests.

    The Museum offers a variety of rental options that can be customized for your event. With rooms available during the day for meetings or parties, to evening rentals of the first floor to the entire building.

    The GRPM boasts a beautiful wall of windows overlooking the River and downtown corridor.

    All Rentals Include:

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

    Rental Guidelines
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    Rental Rates

    First Floor

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

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

    Rental Rates:
    • $2,000 for four hours (Monday – Thursday)
    • $3,000 for four hours (Friday – Sunday)

    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.

    Rental Rates:
    • $3,000 for four hours (Monday – Thursday)
    • $4,000 for four hours (Friday – Sunday) 

    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 Rates:
    • $4,000 for four hours (Monday – Thursday)
    • $5,000 for four hours (Friday – Sunday)

    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 ($500 per show)
    • Private Classroom Meeting Space ($500 each)
    • Meijer Theater ($500) 
    • Museum Cafe Space ($500)
    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

    Wedding Ceremonies

    The Museum offers indoor wedding ceremonies in either the Meijer Theater or Roger. B Chaffee Planetarium. Ceremonies include a one-hour rehearsal during open hours of the Museum the day before the wedding with an event coordinator and audiovisual staff (if applicable). Ceremony rehearsals are subject to availability based on scheduled events at GRPM. On the day of your wedding you can enjoy a large dressing room, perfect for putting on the final touches.

    All wedding ceremonies may start no earlier than 6:00 p.m. and require a wedding reception to 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.

    • $1,000

    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.

    • $1,500

    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.

    For more information or to book your group event today, please email the Hospitality Department or call 616.929.1740.