The Freer Gallery of Art, designed by architect Charles Platt and inspired by Italian Renaissance palaces, is an elegant setting for special events. With its skylit galleries around the graceful central courtyard it conveys the feeling of a large and gracious private mansion. The exhibition galleries, always open during events, provide places of tranquillity for quiet reflection or conversation.

The Sackler Gallery is a modern subterranean structure, which guests enter via the luxuriant Haupt Garden on Independence Avenue. The aboveground entrance pavilion is a splendid space in which to entertain and is enhanced by windows that provide illuminated views of the Smithsonian Castle. Surrounded by smooth stone walls, the long, elegant central staircase appears to float above the spaces below, leading the visitor to the underground chambers where the museum's treasures are displayed.

Organizations that offer a substantial, unrestricted donation to the galleries are invited to celebrate the gift by co-sponsoring a special event at the Freer or Sackler.

The galleries are not available for fund-raisers or events of a political, religious, promotional, or personal nature (e.g. weddings, birthdays, retirement parties, etc.).

For more information please contact us at asiadevelopment@si.edu.