Rentals
El Museo del Barrio, conveniently located in New York City’s renowned Museum Mile is the ideal location for your upcoming special event. Whether you are planning a concert series or hosting a corporate function, El Museo provides a unique setting that combines breathtaking views of Central Park along with El Museo’s newly renovated, state of the art facilities.
Our professional staff is attentive to your needs and committed to making your event a success. For more information on hosting your next event, contact Rentals via email at rentals@elmuseo.org.
RENTAL FAQ'S
Our facilities are ideal for small and large gatherings, including receptions, meetings, and private parties. Our historic theater is an ideal venue for performances, symposiums, film productions, and more. We can hold between 20 – 80 people for sit down dinners, 572 Theater seating and up to 300 people for cocktail style receptions.
The fees vary depending on which spaces are used. There are also associated direct costs such as security, maintenance, production and coat check staff. There is also a security deposit upon signing the contract which is fully refundable pending no additional charges. Our rental amenities include the services of a professional staff dedicated to making your event a success. Please contact Rentals for more details about specific fees and costs.
Non-profits are eligible for a discounted rental rate, but must provide documentation of their 501(c)(3) status. For more information, please contact Rentals.
Please contact Rentals to schedule a walk through. Walk through are normally conducted between 10:00am – 3:00pm, Monday through Friday. Tours outside these hours can be agreed upon on a case by case basis.
Upon confirmation, spaces are held for a two week period with no financial obligation. Upon receipt of application, we will provide you an event estimate. If you agree to host your event with us, we will issue a Use and License Agreement. A signed copy of the agreement, a security deposit, and 50% of the event fee is required to reserve your event date. The remaining 50% of the event fee is due approximately 20 days prior to the event. The final balance is subject to change based on additional costs that may be incurred during your event, and will be deducted from the security deposit.
Museum hours are Thursday-Sunday from 11am – 5pm. During this time, clients will have limited access to public areas for set up. El Café rentals are typically 6 hours in length from load-in to load-out and must begin at 5:00 pm or later and last until no later than 11pm. El Teatro rentals based on an 8 hour timeframe which includes setup and break down time. Events running longer than 8 hours or after 11pm are subject to an additional overtime fee.
Limited set-up can take place during museum opening hours at the discretion of the museum. El Teatro rentals is available for setup after 8am Monday to Sunday. Breakdown must take place directly after the event finishes. If early/late deliveries are required, extra Museum staffing fees will be incurred.
The Courtyard and/or Lobby is available for use, however a Temporary Place of Assembly Permit (TPA) is required. An additional cost will be incurred. For more information, please contact Rentals.
El teatro
Capacity: 572
Typically used for Film Screenings, Theatrical Performances, Live Music events, and Conferences and Panel Discussions
Originally called The Heckscher Children’s Theater, El Teatro was built in 1921 by the architectural firm of Maynick and Franke as part of an orphanage. A proscenium arch stage with seating for 599, it has been acknowledged as a Landmark Quality Interior venue for its remarkable series of 30-foot murals and stained-glass roundels. Intended primarily for children’s theatre, Teatro Heckscher was home to many Broadway tryouts during the 1930s and was the original site for the Joseph Papp New York Shakespeare Festival. In 1977, East Harlem Arts and Education Local Development Corp (Boys Harbor) leased the Heckscher Building on a month-to-month basis. They invited El Museo, Taller Boricua, Amas Repertory, Frederick Douglass Repertoire and Big Apple Circus into the building.In 2001, El Teatro was renovated. The theatre was the site for a special tribute to Tito Puente as part of the 39th Annual GRAMMY awards. It is now part of New York City’s Historic Music Trail.
The Murals
The Teatro Heckscher’s interior contains scenes from children’s literature in a series of monumental murals designed in 1921 by gifted illustrator and painter Willy Pogany (1882-1955). Rendered in oil on canvas, his 14 incredible mural panels range in size up to approximately 16 x 25 feetand depict legendary children’s tales including Jack and the Beanstalk, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, and Cinderella. Other splendid treasures in the theatre include eight luminous circular stained-glass fixtures on the ceiling, painted with childhood motifs and featuring two charming, castle-shaped chandeliers. Today, the murals and Art Deco interior give El Teatro special status as a Landmark Quality Venue by the Municipal Arts Society and the City of New York Arts Commission.
EL CAFÉ
With open views overlooking Central Park’s Conservatory Garden, El Café’s flexible design provides an excellent setting for small and large gatherings alike. The luminous space is available for catered celebrations, lectures, or small screenings, and can be divided into three smaller rooms for meetings or conferences. El Café is equipped with state of the art audio visual capabilities. For extensions into our outdoor spacing, please contact us directly.
LAS GALERÍAS
Access available for a private viewing during your event in El Café or El Teatro at an additional charge. *Food and beverages not allowed inside.