Rent the Museum - Grand Rapids Public Museum

Rent the Museum - Grand Rapids Public Museum
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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
General Rental Guidelines
Wedding Rental Guidelines
Prom Rental Guidelines
Get Started
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
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.
Whole Building
Perfect for large company and convention events, c
hoosing 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
Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium
Classroom Space
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.
Meijer Theater
Wedding ceremonies in our spacious Meijer Theater include theater seating for 255 guests
and full audiovisual capabilities.
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
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
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
Food Service
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:
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
Applause Catering
Clifford Lake Inn Catering
The Catering Company
Donkey Catering
Gilmore Collection
Martha’s Catering
Outside Services
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.
Extras
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.
Get Started
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SAVE & ACCEPT
The Carousel will be temporarily closed.
During routine mechanical checks, staff noticed an issue with the Spillman Carousel’s 98-year-old custom gearbox. Our team is hopeful for a timely fix and is actively working to locate this unique part. We anticipate it to remain closed into next week, and will reopen the Carousel as soon as possible.
We understand that our guests have been looking forward to riding the Carousel again, and are also sad to share this news. Our top priorities are guest safety and preservation of this nearly 100-year-old artifact. We will keep you updated as we work to repair this community treasure.
The Museum will be open for regular hours.
The Carousel is Closed Today, March 20
Due to a mechanical issue, the 1928 Spillman Carousel is closed today Friday, March, 20.
We apologize for any inconvenience, and are hard at work making a repair to this century-old artifact. We will let you know when the Carousel is back up and spinning again!
The GRPM is CLOSED today.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum is closed today, January 27, due to weather conditions.
This evening’s invite-only event by the Helen Devos Children’s Hospital
will be taking place as scheduled
from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Drive safe, and stay warm! We’ll see you soon!
GRPM Opens at 12 p.m. on May 9
The Museum will open at 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, to accommodate the
Amway Riverbank Run
route.
Have a great race, runners!
Early Closure on Friday, Jan. 16
The Grand Rapids Public Museum will be closing early at
1 p.m. on Friday, January 16, for the 2026
Grand Rapids Wedding Affair
We will resume normal hours on Saturday, January 17.
The GRPM is NOW OPEN
⚡ Electricity is back in the building! ⚡
The GRPM is open for guests today, July 28. While the Museum is open, the cafe will be closed.
We hope to see you here. Stay cool in the heat today, Grand Rapids!
Museum Parking Ramp Closed Saturday, July 26
The Museum Parking Ramp will be unavailable for use this Saturday due to the Pleasant Peninsula Mural Festival taking place on Front Avenue. They will be painting 21 new beautiful murals to brighten up Downtown Grand Rapids.
Alternative FREE parking will still be available in the GVSU Mt. Vernon lot at 50 Front Ave SW. See the map below for directions on how to access the Mt. Vernon lot.
See Map
U.S. Service Members and Families Free This Weekend!
This weekend, the GRPM extends free admission to all U.S. service members
active or retired—and their families.
See our new Veterans display, in partnership with the Michigan Heroes Museum, honoring West Michiganders who served the United States during World War II.
This offer includes those serving in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and NOAA Commissioned Corps, along with up to five family members.
Ask our front desk upon arrival to redeem.
Early Closure Notice
The GRPM will be closing early at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14th, for Cabinet of Curiosities:
Grand Slam!
This elevated spring fundraiser explores America’s favorite pastime through Grand Rapids history and celebrates the GRPM’s new exhibit,
Play Ball! The World’s Largest Collection of Detroit Tigers Autographed Baseballs.
Get Tickets
Planetarium & Cafe Closure Notice
The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium and the Museum Cafe
will be closed from September 2nd – 5th.
Upcoming
Planetarium Closure Notice
The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium will be closed June 8 through June 15 for the most significant systems upgrade made to our Planetarium in 10 years!
Come back after June 15 to see crisper, cleaner, and more vibrant visuals, and a system capable of showcasing parts of the universe we weren’t able to display before!
Closure Notice
The GRPM will be closed for Easter on Sunday, April 20. We will reopen on Monday, April 21 for normal hours.
Extended!
Become A GRPM Member, Earn $20 in Museum Promo Cash
Get $20 in Museum Promo Cash with the purchase of any membership now through Friday, December 6!
This promo cash can be used towards admission to the Museum, Planetarium tickets, unique local gifts at the Curiosity Shop, and food and beverages at the Museum Cafe.
Become a Member Today!
Museum Promo Cash expires June 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Any unused balance will be forfeited after this date. This card is for promotional purposes only and is not redeemable for cash or Museum credit.
Become A GRPM Member, Earn $20 in Museum Promo Cash!
Get $20 in Museum Promo Cash with the purchase of any membership now through Tuesday, December 3!
This promo cash can be used towards admission to the Museum, Planetarium tickets, unique local gifts at the Curiosity Shop, and food and beverages at the Museum Cafe.
Become a Member Today!
Museum Promo Cash expires June 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Any unused balance will be forfeited after this date. This card is for promotional purposes only and is not redeemable for cash or Museum credit.
Closure Notice
The GRPM will be closed on Thursday, September 12, 2024 for an event. We will re-open on Friday, September 13, 2024 at 9 a.m.
Late Opening
Notice.
On Saturday, May 11, the Museum will open at 12 p.m. due to road closures for the Amway River Bank Run.
Early Closure Notice.
The Museum will close at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1 for Museum Adventure After Dark.
Tickets
are still available!