Venue Hire
Events, Venue hire & Catering
The NGA provides events cordination, venue hire and catering services.
Several areas are available for hire, including the Main Foyer, James O Fairfax Theatre, nga cafe and Restaurant in the Sculpture Garden.
For enquiries regarding corporate or private events please contact the NGA events Coordinator.
- Phone +61 2 6240 6711
- events@nga.gov.au
The spaces
- Sculpture garden restaurant
Set in a pavilion on the edge of a tranquil reed pond with enchanting views of the Japanese fog sculpture the Sculpture garden restaurant is open five days a week for lunch and on Saturday and Sunday for brunch. The restaurant is also available for hire for wedding receptions, corporate dinners and lunches and cocktail parties. Bookings essential – phone +61 2 6240 6711. The use of the Fog Sculpture and candles will be subject to water restrictions and fire bans.
- Café
Large, light and open, overlooking the sculpture garden, the NGA Café is available after 6pm for cocktails or formal dinners. It can accommodate up to 110 seated guests or 150 guests for cocktails.
- Main foyer and Exhibition foyer
Located on the entrance level of the Gallery, the main foyer and new exhibition foyer are the largest gallery spaces. Both are suitable for large cocktail parties or seated dinners. The main foyer can seat up to 150 guests and the exhibition foyer up to 250. The main foyer can accommodate up to 600 for cocktail functions and the exhibition foyer up to 400. Please note availability of the exhibition foyer is dependant on the exhibition schedule.
- Members lounge
With stunning views overlooking Lake Burley Griffin the Members Lounge is ideally suited to corporate dinners and cocktail functions. It can accommodate up to 64 seated guests and 80 guests for cocktails.
- Other spaces
The James O Fairfax Theatre (seating 267) and the Small theatre (seating 70) are available for hire. Your concert, seminar or presentation can be catered with morning and afternoon teas, stand-up lunch or cocktails served in the foyer areas outside each theatre.
There are a number of sites in the Sculpture garden that are also available for hire. These include The Carillon Outlook, The Grassy Knoll, The Piazza Area and The Beach Area. Please contact the Events Coordinator for more information.
Planning
Functions may be booked up to 12 months in advance. Final arrangements and menu choices should be made 2 weeks prior to the date of the event, with final numbers received 2 days prior to the date. These numbers will then be the minimum charged.
Booking and confirmation
Deposits for catering and venue hire must be paid once you have decided on a date and venue; this shall act as a cancellation fee if the function does not go ahead after this date. Until such time as deposits are received, the National Gallery of Australia nor the caterer can confirm the space for your use. Confirmation of this booking should be made in writing by post, email or fax, with the date and any additional details pertinent to your function.
Functions that fall on public holidays or Sundays will incur a 10% surcharge for catering and a 15% surcharge for venue hire.
Hiring spaces at the nga
All hire of Gallery spaces is subject to availability as negotiated with the Events Coordinator on +61 2 6240 6711. All sites at the Gallery are subject to hire charges, in addition to catering costs. This hire fee is payable to the National Gallery of Australia, and covers the cost of maintenance and security of the site.
Please note
NGA Members discount does not apply to function food and beverage costs nor to venue hire.
Prices are guidelines only and will be confirmed at the time of booking.