Evening receptions at The Courtauld offer you the opportunity to immerse your guests in an inspirational setting surrounded by art curated with the utmost academic rigour, whilst enjoying drinks, canapés and more.
Whether you are planning a large celebratory reception, or an intimate soirée, The Courtauld has various unique and spectacular spaces that can host up to 350 guests, across either one or multiple floors of the gallery.
All of our events can be elevated with the inclusion of an out of hours private view of one of our temporary exhibitions. Our Courtauld Experts are likewise on hand to provided guided tours to both our permanent and temporary collections, providing your guests with unrivalled insight into our world renowned collection and exhibitions programme.
From September, our Denise Coates Temporary Exhibitions Gallery will be home to a major exhibition of works by Claudette Johnson, a founding member of the Black British Arts Movement and one of the most significant figurative artists of her generation. Claudette Johnson: Presence will present a carefully selected group of major works from across Johnson’s early career alongside recent and new works – the exhibition will consider how Johnson has directed her approach to representing her subjects over three decades, and how her practice is rooted in the art of the past with The Courtauld’s collection providing a rich context in which to see her work.
Evening reception hire is available once we shut the gallery to the public, between 18:45 – 21:00.
A full list of our carefully selected preferred suppliers can be found in our venue hire brochure.
Browse our rooms below and contact our dedicated planning team for further information and availability.
Third Floor Galleries
Capacity – 150 standing
Pricing – from £10,000 + VAT dry hire
Consisting of three different permanent exhibition spaces, the Third Floor Galleries at The Courtauld provide the perfect setting to host guests amongst iconic artworks from the Courtauld Collection.
Greeting guests as they enter the Third Floor Galleries, at the top of our iconic staircase, the Weston Gallery is a welcoming ante-room featuring works by Degas, Manet and Pisarro. The perfect space to greet guests with a welcome drink, the Weston Gallery also features a specially commissioned large-scale painting by the contemporary artist Cecily Brown on display at the top of the Courtauld’s staircase, revisiting the early history of the building.
The largest reception space on the third floor, the spectacularly restored LVMH Great Room is the home of masterpieces from The Courtauld’s world-renowned collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. Highlights include Manet’s A Bar at the Folies–Bergère, Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear, and the most significant collection of works by Cézanne in the UK.
Guests also have access to the Katja and Nicolai Tangen 20th Century Gallery which stages carefully curated displays from The Courtauld’s collection of 20th century works of art – until December 2023, this gallery will showcase a new display of 20th century British art. Listen to Dr Barnaby Wright, Deputy Head of The Courtauld Gallery and Daniel Katz Curator of 20th Century Art, as he explores some of the highlights on display, including the recent long-term loan of a remarkable painting by Leon Kossoff, Shell Building Site, 1962, and Halsetown, 1961, by Peter Lanyon.
Our Third Floor Galleries are also home to our Denise Coates Temporary Exhibition Galleries, making them the perfect reception location to accompany a private view of our spectacular spectacular exhibition programme. Access to our Temporary Exhibition Galleries can be added on to any Third Floor Gallery hire for a fee of £1,500 + VAT.
Second Floor Galleries
Capacity – 250 standing
Pricing – from £10,000 + VAT dry hire
Our Second Floor Galleries, the Blavatnik Fine Rooms, are formerly home to three of the most prominent artistic, scientific and historical societies – the Royal Academy, Royal Society and Society of Antiquaries. Sumptuously decorated with stunning ceilings, beautiful fireplaces and ornate door handles, the Fine Rooms consist of a suite of six galleries that span the entire Second Floor of the building.
Our world-renowned and carefully curated art collection provides the perfect conversation starter, showcasing some of the greatest and most-loved works from The Courtauld’s collection from the Renaissance through to the 18th century. The works on this floor are dedicated to the Italian Renaissance, Northern Renaissance as well as 7th and 18th century Europe. Major highlight include Botticelli’s large-scale The Trinity With Saints, The Courtauld’s celebrated collection of works by Peter Paul Rubens and comprehensive collection of decorative arts which includes ornate ceramics and rare Islamic metalwork.
Second and Third Floor Galleries
Capacity – 350 standing
Pricing – from £18,000 + VAT dry hire
Ideal for larger events, our Second Floor and Third Floor Galleries are also available for a dual hire.
Guests have access to both floors for the full duration of the evening, allowing guests to experience the full breadth of our spectacular and varied collection throughout the evening. With bars situated on each floor, we can carefully curate each floor to ensure an enjoyable evening is had by all.
Access to our Denise Coates Temporary Exhibition Galleries can also be added on to any dual Second Floor and Third Floor Gallery hire, allowing guests special out of hours access to one of our major exhibitions – these galleries have previously hosted 5* exhibitions by artists such as Van Gogh and Peter Doig, with a full schedule available here. Access to our Temporary Exhibition Galleries can be added on to any dual hire for a fee of £1,500 + VAT.
The Courtauld Terrace
Capacity – 60 standing
Pricing – from £5,000 + VAT dry hire
Positioned in the north-west corner of the iconic Somerset House courtyard, The Courtauld Terrace offers intimate outdoor entertaining for up to 60 guests.
A unique outside location in central London, our sunken terrace allows guests to soak up the ambience of the Somerset House complex and allows guests to enjoy our incredible collection of art whilst enjoying a relaxed reception al fresco.
The Terrace leads on from the striking Courtauld vaults, with a permanent bar and décor that changes with the seasons and shows. It also offers a wet weather option
if needed.
Private views are available to add on to any Terrace booking for £1,500 + VAT
Venue hire and catering packages available on request
