Atmosphere matters
Whether you are hosting a once-in-a-lifetime celebration with your closest family and friends or putting together a critical meeting of collegial minds, you want a place that is inspired and inspiring. Host your event at San José Museum of Art (SJMA). Your guests will be delighted from the moment they receive the invitation and will enjoy mingling with each other among the art. We have daytime space available, as well as more extensive offerings for special evening events. SJMA can accommodate from 20 people to 400 people, or up to 600 with the use of the Circle of Palms. Whatever the occasion, provide the most creative and least conventional surroundings San José has to offer, the elegant and welcoming spaces of SJMA.
Weddings and Social Celebrations
SJMA is a place of heartfelt expression—the perfect setting for a wedding. Your celebration can be traditional or full of surprises, intimate or expansive—full of color, dimension, and meaning. You can celebrate in a range of inviting Museum spaces, from galleries open to your guests during cocktails, to lovely surroundings such as the Circle of Palms for your ceremony, to settings that are ideal for dinner and dancing (including the New Wing Lobby, Skybridge, Historic Wing Cafe, and the Charlotte Wendel Education Center).
Corporate Events and Meetings
Raise the standard for getting out of the office—host your meeting or corporate event at the Museum. Certainly, there’s no better environment for motivating creativity. When you host your corporate gathering at SJMA, the unconventional setting comes with all the amenities and efficiencies you expect for a productive board meeting, high-impact product launch, staff retreat, holiday party, or VIP reception. The Museum offers a variety of options and can beautifully accommodate events for 20 to 150 during the day in the Charlotte Wendel Education Center, with other great spaces available any night of the week for 100 to 3,000 guests.
SJMA will not allow facility rentals to a political campaign for election activities to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, and to avoid non-compliance with the IRS strict guidelines. SJMA does not allow Museum rentals that are fundraisers for other non-profit institutions, unless such activities are collaborative.
Rental PackageS
Catering and Vendors View photos of other events at SJMA Museum Floor Plan
Full Facility Rental
- All public spaces of the Museum including New Wing (Lobby and Skybridge), Historic Wing (Café and Charlotte Wendel Center), and access to all open exhibition galleries.
- Available Tuesday through Sunday, after 5pm. Extended hours fee may apply.
- Perfect for groups of up to 900 guests.
New Wing Rental – 3,500 Square Feet
- Includes Lobby and Skybridge, and access to all open exhibition galleries.
- Available Tuesday through Sunday, after 5pm. Extended hours fee may apply.
- Perfect for groups of up to 300 guests.
Historic Wing Rental – 2,800 Square Feet
- Includes Café and Charlotte Wendel Education Center, and access to all open exhibition galleries.
- Available Tuesday through Sunday, after 5pm. Extended hours fee may apply.
- Perfect for groups of up to 300 guests.
Charlotte Wendel Education Center Rental – 2,000 Square Feet
- Available for private daytime events only, Tuesday through Sunday, 9am to 5pm. Wendel-only events may not extend beyond 5pm.
- Perfect for groups of up to 200 guests.
Circle of Palms Plaza Add-on
- Use of the outdoor plaza must be arranged through the City of San José. Museum event staff will aid this process only as an addition to the Full Facility Rental package.
- Seasonal restrictions apply.
Additional restrictions may apply. Room capacities may vary upon event type and layout design. Galleries subject to closure without notice. Client is responsible for all set-up and clean-up. Extensions to event run time or vendor set-up and clean-up time can be arranged in advance for $550 per additional hour. Discounts are available to returning clients and non-profit organizations.