Rentals at the MCA

Weddings and Social Events

Unique, sophisticated, and home to some of the most important art of our time, the MCA also boasts an atrium, terrace, and sculpture garden with striking views of Lake Michigan. These customizable accommodations are perfect for designing a truly contemporary event. Why settle for ordinary?

Images

  • A woman in a white wedding dress and a man in a navy suit dance in the MCA's backyard with tall skyscrapers, including the John Hancock building, as the backdrop.
  • A view of the MCA's sculpture garden and terrace on sunny day is set with white chairs for what appears to be a wedding ceremony.
  • Bright light floods a room from a wall of windows. Vibrant, warm-colored planters hang above a well-stocked bar.
  • A bride and groom embrace while looking at trees and cityscape through the MCA's fourth floor windows.
  • A light-skinned bride in a black-and-white gown stands next to a groom in a black tuxedo. they cut into a black-and-white, many-layered geometric cake that is similar to a black cube-like structure above them.
A woman in a white wedding dress and a man in a navy suit dance in the MCA's backyard with tall skyscrapers, including the John Hancock building, as the backdrop.
  1. Long A groom twirls his bride in the MCA's back garden at dusk. They face away from you with the Hancock building extending into the evening sky above them. Between the skyline and the dancers are three yellow blobby sculptural figures on the MCA terrace that mirror the poses of the dancers.
A couple takes their first spins as husband and wife against a backdrop of the Chicago skyline
Photo: Durling Photography
The atrium’s high ceilings provide ample space to get creative with lighting
Photo: Olivia Leigh Photographie, olivialeighweddings.com
A view of the MCA's sculpture garden and terrace on sunny day is set with white chairs for what appears to be a wedding ceremony.
Sweeping views of the Chicago skyline provide the perfect backdrop for a wedding ceremony in the sculpture garden
Photo © Artisan Events
Bright light floods a room from a wall of windows. Vibrant, warm-colored planters hang above a well-stocked bar.
  1. Long An open brightly lit room is almost all white except for a vibrant, warm-colored planters hanging from the ceiling. The geometric planters are filled with a variety of cascading plant tendrils in shades of green and maroon. Against the far wall of the room is a long mirrored cocktail bar stocked with various liquors and glasses. The front of the bar features a large white geometric pattern. In the corners of the image are three white Chiavari chairs.
The Commons, our newly refurbished space on the second floor, features a hanging garden—the perfect accent to your wedding decor
Photo: Tim Tab Studios
A bride and groom embrace while looking at trees and cityscape through the MCA's fourth floor windows.
The MCA’s spaces offer panoramic views of the city and Lake Michigan
Photo: Andre Lacour
Photo: Avery House
Photo: Durling Photography
Photo: Carasco Photography
Photo: Tim Tab Studios
A light-skinned bride in a black-and-white gown stands next to a groom in a black tuxedo. they cut into a black-and-white, many-layered geometric cake that is similar to a black cube-like structure above them.
  1. Long A caucasian man and woman are cutting into a black-and-white geometric patterned wedding cake. The woman wears a dress with a black bodice and a long white skirt. The man wears a tuxedo with a bowtie and glasses. The cake is on a clear table decorated with flowers and a black lantern.
  2. Long You are looking at a light-haired bride dressed in a black-and-white wedding gown. Her hair is pulled back into an elegant bun with a few pieces falling to the nape of her neck. Next to her stands her groom who wears glasses and a traditional tuxedo with a black bowtie and white shirt, on his lapel is a small white rose bug. Together they cut through a wedding cake made up of five ascending box-like layers with the top layer being slightly larger than the one below it. On each cake layer are black-and-white geometric patterns of stripes, triangles, or grids. Above the couple is a black cube-like structure that mirrors the style of the cake. The couple's faces are softly illuminated with a warm light. Most of the light source comes from the acrylic table in front of the couple on which sits the wedding cake. Decorating each end of the table are small bouquets of white tulips and dark green foliage, around the bouquets are black satin bows.
  3. Long A light-skinned couple is about to cut their wedding cake. The groom wears glasses and a black tuxedo and tie; the bride is wearing a black and white gown with a single strap over the shoulder. They are occupied with making the first cut. Their cake sits on a Lucite table near two full champagne flutes. The cake is five square tiers with a complex geometric design, including stripes and a grid that matches the grids on the walls and a modular gridded structure in the ceiling.
Photo: Studio This Is
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Married at the Museum

Our rentals intern Anna culled together some of her favorite awe-inspiring images and ideas from MCA weddings to help you create your own perfect museum wedding.

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For information on pricing and spaces, view our rental brochure.

Corporate or Nonprofit Events and Meetings

Featuring spacious and flexible event spaces, the MCA provides a sophisticated and distinct setting for your company’s event. Our unique indoor/outdoor event spaces will impress your guests and inspire creativity among colleagues. In addition, your guests are just steps away from the MCA’s collection and special exhibitions, adding an artful twist to your event.

Featured images

  • A long room is set up for a party with red uplighting on the walls and cocktail tables wrapped in purple fabric lining each side of the room.
A long room is set up for a party with red uplighting on the walls and cocktail tables wrapped in purple fabric lining each side of the room.
  1. Long A long room is set up for a party. A bright white gridded ceiling is reflected onto the dark floor below. Throughout the space, shocks of red light accentuate the columns that frame floor-to-ceiling windows, which reveal the Chicago night on the right. Cocktail tables, draped in purple fabric and set with flickering tea lights and small bouquets, line the walls. Large, black graphics reading "POP ART" fill the left-hand walls of the space.
Photo: Tim Tab Studios
Photo: Tim Tab Studios
Guests gather under the stars on our back terrace
Photo: Tim Tab Studios
Photo: Ashley Galminas Photography
A band plays under the new, overhead garden installed in our second-floor Commons space
Photo: Tim Tab Studios
A view of the Edlis Neeson Theater from the stage
© MCA Chicago
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For information on pricing and spaces, view our rental brochure.

The Private Dining Room in Marisol

Seasonally agile dishes served amidst stunning decor in an art-filled atmosphere—the Private Dining Room in Marisol is available to make any event a memorable experience. Whether a corporate lunch or an intimate family reception, the 40-person private room on the museum's street level is the ideal location for any contemporary gathering. Inquire about date availability by filling out our form. We hope to host you soon.

Images of the PDR

Marisol One-Year Anniversary Work shown: Chris Ofili The Sorceress’ Mirror (detail), 2017 Watercolor and charcoal on paper 58.7 × 105 cm Photo: Galdones Photography, © MCA Chicago
Marisol One-Year Anniversary
Photo: Galdones Photography, © MCA Chicago
Marisol One-Year Anniversary Work shown: Chris Ofili The Sorceress’ Mirror (detail), 2017 Watercolor and charcoal on paper 58.7 × 105 cm Photo: Galdones Photography, © MCA Chicago
Marisol private dining room Work shown: Chris Ofili The Sorceress’ Mirror (detail), 2017 Watercolor and charcoal on paper 58.7 × 105 cm Photo: Galdones Photography, © MCA Chicago
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For event inquires, please fill out our form

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Want to make your event even more unique? Gain an intimate view of our exhibitions by booking a private tour. Learn about our tour offerings on our Tours page.

Looking to book the Edlis Neeson Theater? Check out the technical specifications of the space to see if we can accommodate your needs.

The MCA Store offers a wide variety of items by contemporary designers and artists—and at all price points—that your guests will love.

FAQs

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Can't find your answer here? Feel free to contact us via email or by phone, 312-397-3872, Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm.

MCA Catering

Our food philosophy is simple: make it delicious! We start by sourcing the best local ingredients and work closely with farmers and artisan producers who take as much care for their products as we do for our guests.

Preferred Hotel Partners

160 East Pearson Street at Water Tower Place
Chicago, IL 60611
312-266-1000

105 East Delaware Place
Chicago, IL 60611
312-944-6300

243 East Ontario Street
Chicago, IL 60611
312-429-6600

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Revenue from private rentals helps sustain MCA programming and exhibitions. Thank you for your support!

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