Events & Facility Use Guidelines

The museum is not available for rental for performance of wedding ceremonies, memorial or religious services or political campaigns
Sponsors of events are responsible for the conduct of their guests and may be financially liable for any damage or loss to the museum. This includes, but is not limited to any object in the museum as well as the premises and museum grounds.
Museum event staff is available to coordinate arrangements for all events. The role of the Cummer staff is to coordinate vendors, manage setup and strike of installations and décor and visitor arrival/ departure, answer questions and protect the museum and its contents.
Professional event planning, programming, bridal consulting and specialty services for food/beverage and audio-visual are available at an additional charge.
The Cummer exhibitions are an integral part of the museum mission. In addition to galleries, exhibits may be located in public spaces. Once positioned, these exhibits are considered permanent and cannot be moved. These exhibits change frequently and the museum cannot guarantee that the rented space will have the same appearance as originally viewed. Care is given to assure the success of your event when considering placement of objects.
All decorations, equipment and other items should be removed at the conclusion of the event unless other arrangements have been made with the Cummer staff. Sensitive security equipment prevents the use of helium balloons, ceiling treatments or paper decorations that may be left overnight. Please check with the events department should you have questions about decor before a plan is finalized.
Acoustic and amplified music and other entertainment requests are welcomed at the museum and managed on a per event basis. Entertainment must schedule delivery/setup/teardown/special needs with the museum event coordinator.
Fireworks and/or pyrotechnics are strictly prohibited. Decorative candles and elements with open flames cannot be used. Sterno is permitted for food service in designated areas although compressed gas containers for cooking stations are not permitted. Infusion and electric cooking aids are recommended for cooking stations. Electric powered and battery operated options exist to replace decorative candles. Your coordinator can offer approved alternatives and assist in locating suppliers to meet your event needs.
The museum is a smoke-free building, smoking is not permitted anywhere in the facility.
Material promoting the event involving images or use of the Cummer name or logo should be approved prior to printing to ensure proper credits and protection of artist copyrights.
Free parking is located in three Riverside Avenue surface lots across from the museum. Valet parking or lot attendants may be arranged for an additional charge. Off-duty police may be provided for groups at museum expense and at the discretion of the museum.

Food and Beverage Service

Sponsors may provide the caterer of their choice for food service although outside contractors are required to provide proof of general liability insurance in an amount of no less than one million dollars of coverage general aggregate and personal injury; one million dollars coverage for fire damage or burglary; worker’s compensation and employer’s liability statutory limits for each accident and disease, each employee, one million dollars.
Food and beverages are not permitted in galleries or spaces where art is present.
It is recommended that sponsors use a licensed and insured beverage vendor or provide liquor liability insurance in an amount no less than $1,000,000 each claim, $1,000,000 aggregate to DeEtte Holden Cummer Museum. It is the museum policy to ensure responsible alcoholic beverage service and we require that professional bartenders follow responsible practices. Glass beer bottles are prohibited. Tips jars are not to be used and pouring of shots is prohibited. Open beverage containers may not leave the premises. Beverage service to minors will not be tolerated and will be cause for museum security to close the bar.

Photography

Event photography is a benefit of sponsored events and is restricted to specific areas in the museum and the museum gardens. Event logistics should be discussed with the museum event coordinator in advance. No photography is permitted in any museum gallery where art is present.
Bridal photography may be arranged by appointment with the event coordinator for professional sittings for brides contracted for events at the museum.