Venue Hire
About
With its lake views and art-infused settings, the National Gallery is Canberra’s most iconic venue, ideal for your special event.
Home to the largest collection of art in Australia, the Gallery is committed to sharing the wonder of art and creativity. Our striking Brutalist building with its versatile settings and spectacular Sculpture Garden provides a memorable and dramatic backdrop for any kind of function.
We cater to events of all sizes and styles — weddings, formal gala dinners, cocktail parties, conferences and workshops, as well as corporate meetings and private functions. With an array of spaces, including the newly refurbished James Fairfax Theatre, we can accommodate anywhere from 20 to 900 guests.
Our in-house team will work with you to ensure your event has just the right look and feel. Restaurant Associates at the National Gallery exclusively cater for all our venues, with outstanding cuisine accompanied by seamless service.
For more information, contact our Events Team on +61 2 6240 6711 or at events@nga.gov.au
Please note: current capacities for all spaces are in line with ACT Health advice for COVID-19 and are subject to change.
Venue Information
Gandel Hall
The spacious and light-filled Gandel Hall is a superb blend of classic and contemporary.
The Hall’s floor-to-ceiling windows and broad glass doors open onto an expansive terrace with views over the sculptures and landscaping of the Australia Gardens, including the James Turrell Skyspace. Complete with gold-leaf doors and red ironbark floors, this versatile space makes a striking statement.
Whether you are planning a sit-down dinner, cocktail event or all-day conference, our exclusive caterers Restaurant Associates will elevate your event with a bespoke food and drinks menu.
Our most popular venue, Gandel Hall is located conveniently closely to the Gallery’s main entrance and carpark. The space can be partitioned for smaller events or social distancing needs, has a built-in stage, in-house top quality AV and ramp accessibility.
Please note: Gandel Hall can accommodate up to 350 seated guests. In line with current COVID-19 restrictions outlined by ACT Health, the Hall can accommodate between 141 and 192 seated guests.
Sculpture Garden Pavillion
Planning something for the warmer months?
A marquee nestled in the gardens, the Pavillion is perfect for intimate gatherings, from luncheons to Christmas parties, with catering taken care of by our exclusive partners Restaurant Associates.
Surrounded by sculptures on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin, the Pavillion is ideal for a wedding ceremony or inspired photo shoot. And the wow factor? Greet your guests as fog from Fujiko Nakaya’s Foggy wake in a desert: An ecosphere floats through the casuarinas.
Current venue capacity is 40 people. The Pavillion is not easily accessible for people with limited mobility, and the nearby toilets are not accessible. For alternative fully accessible venue options, contact our team on +61 2 6240 6711 or at events@nga.gov.au
Dining Room
The National Gallery’s Dining Room is a spacious and elegant space with soaring ceilings and large windows overlooking the Sculpture Garden and out towards Lake Burley Griffin. Whether you’re hosting a cocktail reception, formal high tea or dinner event, our exclusive caterers Restaurant Associates will work to craft the perfect accompanying menu.
The Dining Room is on the Lower Ground Floor and is accessible via lift from Level 1, however the toilets in the Dining Room are not wheelchair accessible. For alternative fully accessible venue options, contact our team on +61 2 6240 6711 or at events@nga.gov.au
James Fairfax Theatre
The newly refurbished James Fairfax Theatre offers leading-edge audio visual capability and spacious seating, all within the iconic National Gallery.
Ideal for conferences, symposiums, film screenings and performances of all kinds, the 244-seat theatre is completely customisable, with multiple presentation options, superior cinema-quality projection and audio, theatrical lighting and surround sound, as well as an adjustable lectern and video conferencing equipment.
The Theatre is on Level 1 of the Gallery, accessible from the main entrance via lift. It is located next to accessible toilets and includes three wheelchair-accessible spaces within.
