Distinguished Celebrations

Host Your Special Event at the Smithsonian’s Museums of Asian Art

The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery are the premier venues in the nation for showcasing Asia’s rich artistic and cultural legacy. The Galleries have a long history of acclaimed exhibitions and present some of the most important holdings of Asian art in the world, making each museum a momentous backdrop for special events. Please contact us at FSEvents@si.edu to learn more about hosting your special event.

The Heart of DC

Prominently located on the National Mall in Washington, DC—just steps from the Washington Monument and Smithsonian Castle—the Freer|Sackler resides near some of the country’s most iconic landmarks. Yet the secluded spaces within the Galleries seem to exist worlds away from the busy city. Hosting an event in the Freer or Sackler is an opportunity to gain exclusive access to the collections and to take an inspirational walk through a vivid timeline of world cultures.

Palatial Elegance at the Freer Gallery of Art

During an event in the Freer Gallery, guests can sip cocktails in the graceful central courtyard, enjoy a fine meal in the grand marble corridors, or simply admire the museum’s exquisite collection. A model of classical architecture and refinement, the Freer Gallery is an Italian Renaissance palazzo with eighteen galleries linked by four soaring arched corridors. The architectural nexus is an open-air courtyard that housed live peacocks in the museum’s early days.

Dynamic Modernism at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

Nestled in the garden of the Smithsonian Castle, the Sackler Gallery is home to Dr. Sackler’s exceptional collection of art. A subterranean museum with a contemporary ambience and sleek architecture, the Sackler features granite walls and angular skylights. A grand staircase descends to an open event space and galleries that host special exhibitions from around the globe. With a wide array of aesthetic offerings, serene spaces for reflection or conversation, and a crisply modern design, the Sackler provides a distinctive venue and collection of masterworks for illuminative events.

Support Us

The Freer|Sackler provides visitors inspiring encounters with Asian art and culture free of charge, 364 days a year. Less than one-third of our funding comes from the federal government. More importantly, all of our exhibitions and public programs are fully dependent on private support. Organizations that offer a substantial, unrestricted donation to the Galleries are invited to celebrate their gift by cosponsoring a special event at the Freer or Sackler Gallery. By hosting your event with us, you make possible our mission to share Asian art and culture with the nation and around the world.

To learn more, please download the Freer and Sackler Special Events Brochure (PDF, 2.18 MB).