Host Your Event
Host your next event at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, a world-class venue where art and celebration come together. Whether you’re planning a corporate function, private reception, or special gathering, the museum offers a distinctive setting featuring striking architecture and dynamic gallery spaces. Surrounded by exceptional exhibitions, your guests will enjoy an inspiring atmosphere that elevates any occasion.
The Nasher Museum is proud to house a renowned collection with a strong focus on works by underrepresented artists from around the globe. By choosing the Nasher for your event, you align with a mission that values diversity, inclusion, and the transformative power of contemporary art. Create a memorable experience in a venue unlike any other — where every gathering becomes part of a greater cultural dialogue.
Interested in hosting your next event at the Nasher? Please review the FAQs and fill out the event inquiry form.
Venues at the Nasher
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Drag Queen Fashion Show in the Great Hall
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Duke University Class of 2025 students gather in the Great Hall. Photo by J Caldwell.
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First year Duke students turn our Great Hall space into a giant dance floor!
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The Nasher Museum's Great Hall is transformed into a Cardboard City during the Nasher's Free Family Day on Sunday, Jan. 26th. During the event, visitors created structures out of cardboard shipping boxes, tape, construction paper, and markers. The event also featured live performances by the nationally recognized traveling theatrical group Bright Star Touring Theatre who performed a program of African folktales in the Lecture Hall. Photo by J Caldwell
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Artist Amy Sherald Speaks at the Annual Rothschild Lecture to a packed house
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Semans Lecture: Artists Joiri Minaya, Cara Romero, and Camille Seaman, in conversation with Duke Faculty, Michaeline Crichlow. Photo by J Caldwell.
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Jody Patterson, an art historian and author at Ohio State University, where she is Roy Lichtenstein Foundation Chair of Art History and Chair of Graduate Studies delivered the Annual Semans Lecture “Roy Lichtenstein: A Bigger Picture.” Photo by J Caldwell.
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A glorious view of the museum and the sculpture garden piazza. In the foreground is artist Radcliffe Bailey's work of art, Vessel. Photo by J Caldwell.
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Rendering of Nasher Museum Sculpture Garden project, courtesy of Unknown Studio Landscape Architecture.
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Early morning view of the Nasher's sculpture garden and a RESIST COVID / TAKE 6! banner. Courtesy Carrie Mae Weems. Photo by J Caldwell.
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A $1.5 million new Sculpture Garden is the first expansion of the Nasher Museum since it was built in 2005. Admission is free and open to all. The lush green space opened on September 28, 2019, when more than 1,200 visitors came to experience live performances of Composition 21 by Brooklyn-based, Israeli-born artist Naama Tsabar. Photo by J Caldwell.
FAQs
Find quick answers to frequently asked questions about hosting your event at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University.
The base rental fee includes the use of the space for contracted hours, baseline security to keep the museum open, housekeeping, and special events support staff.
- Additional security: $55/hour per person (required for events of 250+ people, or if event includes outdoor venue spaces. Outdoor venue spaces will require a minimum of one to two additional Security Ambassadors. Events with 250+ people will require a minimum of one to two additional Security Ambassadors. Security coverage is proportionate to event attendance)
- Dedicated golf cart coverage: $45/hour with four hour minimum
- AV technician: $75/hour with four hour minimum
- Stationed gallery guide: $100 per gallery guide
- Portable screen setup: $150 (front ptojector)
- 12 customizable up lights, set up and break down: $400
- Recording and/or livestreaming (available in Lecture Hall only through Panopto): $150
- Lecture Hall stage set up: $75
- Museum furniture rentals: $500
- Parking: Operated by Duke University, the Nasher Lot offer 68 parking spots and six ADA spots. Paid hourly parking is available on site through a QR code. Reserved parking can be arranged for a fee through special events staff (who coordinate with Duke Parking). Reserved parking for the entire lot averages $300 – $500.
- Valet starts at $500 depending on party size.
This can depend on the event type and space used. In most cases, the museum is available for rentals between 6-11 p.m. any day of the week except Thursdays. We can host daytime events on Monday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. or, occasionally, on Saturday/Sunday for a premium fee.
No, anyone can host an event at the museum!
Absolutely, the gallery spaces are included with a museum Great Hall rental. If one of the galleries is closed for installation, it will be closed to the public but we will inform you ahead of time.
The Nasher Museum Café is the preferred vendor for the museum and has first right of refusal for all catering. All bar service is managed through the Nasher Museum Café. For other services, please refer to our preferred vendor list.
Please refer to the Nasher Museum Café catering portfolio for food and beverage package details.
Yes; however, all décor must be approved in advance by special events staff and must comply with our event guidelines.
Restrictions include: no open flame, balloons, bubbles, glitter, or large potted plants.
Absolutely, we often have live music at our events. Please communicate your plans with your Nasher special events contact. See list of preferred vendors.
Great Hall: 140 people seated (depending on sculptures in space), 800 people standing
Lecture Hall: 173 people
Yes, we would love to host your wedding!
Maybe! It depends on what exactly you are looking for. Please fill out our inquiry form and we will get back to you with a few options.
We do not host religious services, political rallies, or fundraising events for third parties. No merchandise can be sold in the museum outside of the museum store.
Yes, if you are renting any space in the museum outside of the museum’s scheduled operating hours, it is considered a Great Hall rental since we must open the entire museum.
Pricing depends on the space, date, and time. Please see our venue rental portfolio and submit an inquiry form to receive a personalized proposal.
For the venue rental, a deposit equal to 50% of the estimate is due at contract signing. The remaining balance is billed after the event and due within 30 days. Clients paying via Duke fund code are not required to pay a deposit.
If the Nasher cancels within four months of the event: full refund.
If the client cancels within four months: 50% refund.
If the client cancels within one month: no refund of deposit.
See the Rental Guidelines for full details.
Yes. Non-Duke clients must provide a certificate of insurance (COI) at least 30 days before the event (see rental contract). A COI for an event is a document that proves you have insurance coverage for the event, summarizing key details like policy type, coverage limits, and dates. To get one, you need to purchase special event insurance first, and then your insurer will provide the COI. Most insurance carriers offer one-day liability insurance products and in general event planners assist in securing COI on client’s behalf.