Private Events

The Barry Art Museum provides a sophisticated venue for private events. The museum’s modern architecture, highlighted by a 40-foot-tall glass facade and a striking Dale Chihuly chandelier above the monumental staircase, creates a visually stunning environment. Located at the gateway to Old Dominion University’s campus, it offers urban convenience and cultural prestige.

The Sculpture Court is our main event space on the ground floor. At 150-person capacity, it features clean, modern lines, a Howard Ben Tre fountain, and opens onto a landscaped terrace. The glass wall illuminates the interior and exterior at night, enhancing the atmosphere.

The landscaped terrace offers a picturesque setting overlooking a fountain pond, with a capacity of 50 guests. The second-floor mezzanine space has two galleries and a lecture area (seats 50 guests), as well as a quiet nook for smaller gatherings or children’s space.

The museum’s versatile space can accommodate intimate gatherings as well as grand celebrations, making it an ideal choice for creating memorable events including:

– Corporate functions
– Lectures
– Wedding receptions
– Fundraisers
– Birthday parties

Choose the Barry for your next event and enjoy…

– Competitive pricing
– Easy access to/from highways and main thoroughfares to downtown
– State-of-the-art facilities
– Support from top local vendors
– Practical amenities to complement the aesthetic appeal
– Private tours of our unique collection unlike any other museum in the region
– Convenient parking (included with rental)
– Walking distance to campus
– Shopping and dining on Monarch Way

Choose Your Perfect Space

Capacity subject to change based on current exhibition and room setup

Private Event Setup at Barry Art Museum Photo by John Wadsworth

1. First floor Sculpture Court (2 galleries)

  • 80 guests for a seated dinner
  • 100 guests for a standing reception
Private Event Setup at Barry Art Museum Photo by John Wadsworth

2. First and Second floors (4 galleries)

No food and beverages allowed on Second Floor
  • 80 guests for a seated dinner (dinner first floor only)
  • 150 guests for a standing reception
Table setup on Terrace For Private Event at The Barry Art Museum Photo by John Wadsworth

3. Terrace (outdoors)

Available only when reserved in addition with First floor Sculpture Court
  • 50 guests for standing reception
  • Dance floor and tenting available for additional fee
Private Event in The Barry Art Museum Photo by John Wadsworth

4. Second Floor Lobby with Wall Monitor/Podium

Lecture, Meeting, or Presentations
  • 50 guests for seated or standing

Details :

The Museum closes to the general public at 5 p.m. on Tuesday – Sunday.
Rental times are from 4:00–10:00 p.m., with doors opening for the event guests at 5:30 p.m.

All other rental times are subject to Director approval.

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