SAN DIEGO MUSEUM of ART | Special Events

Make your Next Event a Work of Art!

Plan your next event with The San Diego Museum of Art for a sophisticated cultural experience.

An event at the San Diego Museum of Art is not only a memorable experience, but also helps the Museum continue its mission of enriching lives through art. Events may coincide with the Museum's exciting exhibition schedule and docent tours are available upon request, pending availability.

When you join Partners in Art at the Director level, you can host a private event in the Museum. You will be invited to opening events, your company will be recognized in our membership magazine, and your employees will have opportunities to visit the Museum free of charge.

Spaces Available

The John M. and Sally B. Thornton Rotunda echoes the Spanish architectural design of the facade with two stories of open space and a grand staircase. The recently restored rotunda features a handcrafted fountain of Cicenza sandstone and is perfect for intimate receptions and dinners. The May S. Marcy Sculpture Court and Garden, situated adjacent to the Museum's west wing, is a beautiful outdoor courtyard featuring 19th- and 20th-century sculptures and provides a lovely setting for receptions and dinners. The James S. Copley Auditorium is a large versatile room suitable for lectures, luncheons, receptions, and seated dinners and may be used in conjunction with the sculpture court and garden. Additional costs may be incurred for the use of the court, garden, and/or auditorium. Food and beverages are not allowed in art galleries. The Museum does not host personal events or non-SDMA fundraisers.

Guest Capacity

Spaces	Standing	Seated
John M. & Sally B. Thornton Rotunda (4,240 Sq. Ft.)	500	160
First floor	400	100
Second floor	100	60
May S. Marcy Sculpture Court (7,260 Sq. Ft.)	500	250
May S. Marcy Sculpture Garden (10,660 Sq. Ft.)	300	100
James S. Copley Auditorium (4,226 Sq. Ft.)	400¹	250²