Rental FAQs

These are some common questions and answers that come up during tours… some of this may be redundant, but here are the answers just in case!

IS THE GALLERY OPEN DURING EVENTS? The museum itself is closed during events, although the lights can be left on so that your guests can see inside and enjoy the artwork.

IS THERE ANY INDOOR SPACE AVAILABLE? The Crenshaw Room, which is the smaller glass room adjacent to the museum, will be yours for the duration of your event. It is the perfect place for weekday meetings. During after-hours events, I’ve seen it used for as a greenroom, VIP area, silent auction, kids’ area, dessert space, and more. The room is climate-controlled, we can move some or all of the chairs out, and the blinds come down!

WHAT DOES THE RENTAL INCLUDE? The full list of included items is on the rate sheet, but the short answer is that the rental is primarily venue-only. We do not have in-house catering, and because we do not have much storage space, have limited rentals (tables/chairs) to offer. We do have some tables, as listed on the rate sheet, but groups larger than 50-60 usually supplement these. We do not have chairs other than in the Crenshaw Room, and as those are fabric-covered, they either need to stay in that room or be stored in the gallery if you’d prefer for the room to be cleared out. We can recommend rental-providers, and your caterer may also offer to coordinate that for you.

WHEN CAN RENTALS TAKE PLACE? Other than on Mondays and Tuesdays (when we are closed the public and available to rentals during daytime hours), evening rentals can take place from 4-11PM or any hours within that window, with a two hour minimum most nights. Set-up in the Crenshaw Room must wait until 4:30PM, as that is where we show our informational video to visitors. Set-up on the terrace, lawns, and in the garden can begin promptly at 4, if that is when the rental time begins. With the exception of tent providers, all vendors must wait until 4PM for set-up. It is also an option to rent the facility before we open at 1:00PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Rental times can begin as early as 7:00AM, depending on how much time is needed for set-up.

WHAT IS YOUR CAPACITY? Our capacity is up to 200 (+/-) people in the “ceremony area” so performances requiring seating there often cap at that number. 100 people can be seated for a meal under the covered portion of the terrace, and up to 250 can be seated if the lawns are also used. A comfortable max for a standing cocktail hour centered on/near the terrace is 300. The Crenshaw Room holds 50 people standing (or seated on chairs/benches) and 35 seated for a meal. Groups of different sizes use the facility in different ways, so the set-up options are endless.

WHERE DOES THE EVENT TAKE PLACE? Most ceremonies, memorial services, or musical performances take place in the outdoor pavilion. Cocktail hours are commonly held in the garden itself, so that guests can wander the paths and enjoy the artwork. Meals are most often served on the covered terrace and/or adjacent lawns. Either the open portion of the terrace, overlooking the waterfall, or the outdoor pavilion, would make a wonderful dance floor. However, the entire space (aside from the gallery) would be yours, so you’d be welcome to get as creative as you’d like, and we can give recommendations!

IS LIVE AND/OR AMPLIFIED MUSIC ALLOWED? Live music is fine, and there is ample electricity on both the trellis and the terrace. For evening events, the music and bar have to end at 10:00PM (with all people and vendors out by 11), but that’s the only restriction as far as music goes.

CAN WE BRING IN OUR OWN CATERER? We do not have in-house catering, so absolutely! We do have preferred vendors, but they have been selected purely because they are familiar with us. The list is not exclusive, and you’re free to use whomever you’d like, as long as we’re made aware of who’s coming in. That said, the vendors on our recommended list are all familiar with the Umlauf – which is definitely a perk!

CAN WE SERVE ALCOHOL? Alcohol can be served (purchased elsewhere and brought in), as long as the person pouring drinks is TABC certified. There are no uncorking or other alcohol-related fees. We do not allow cash bars.

DO YOU HAVE A KITCHEN? Yes, we have a full catering kitchen. The kitchen has a double refrigerator, ice machine, warming ovens, dishwasher, a stovetop, and two ovens.

DO WE NEED TO BRING IN OUR OWN LIGHTING? There is no need to bring your own lights, unless that is part of your décor. The pavilion/ceremony area has rope lighting underneath the stone benches, so they illuminate from below. There are also lights on the metal trellis structure itself. The terrace area is also well-lit, with both bright and subtle options. Finally, there are occasional spotlights throughout the garden, so while it stays dim enough to feel remote from the busy street nearby, it is well-lit enough for guests to safely walk through and enjoy the sculptures. It is truly magical here after dark!