Dear Events Friend nancy sent me this, and here are some quick answers. If you want, she can send you a co[py of our Special Events policy. -Nancy Lynner >>> Indianapolis Art Center <[log in to unmask]> 01/23/98 03:43pm >>> We are in the midst of an interesting and exciting opportunity. The Indianapolis Art Center expanded our facilities within the last year and a half and suddenly have become "the" venue for corporate meetings, wedding rentals, holiday events and more. We are different than museums in that we have 13 classrooms devoted to teaching art, and so have working artists on hand to show their work, teach during creativity retreats, etc. After a year of continuing (and what appears to be non-ceasing) growth, we are wondering how other museums and spaces handle rentals and special events. I am including some of our questions, but I would love any insight from other institutions holding any kind of special events- 1. Do you have one person in charge of special events and rentals? Who handles the clean-up (Do you hire an outside crew or does your internal crew handle that work?) A: Yes, I handle events as well as too many other departments! The caterer MUST have 2 million $ liability and has to remove all trash from the building themselves. The Museum building staff cleans ahead and after, but not the catering stuff. Caterer cleans that up. Caterer has the tables chairs, etc. 2. What kind of events do you allow in your spaces? Are there any areas or events that are off-limits? Do you allow events in these spaces under special circumstances (ie, a major corporate donor wanting to rent the space) Do the events have to be mission-related? Smithsonian can't do any Political ( bi-partisan events are all right, but not one-sided political), no Fund Raising events for groups that are not Smithsonian, and no Social events (Bar mitzvahs, weddings, retirement dinners) This is because we are funded partially by Govt. 3. When there is a special circumstance, who helps in deciding whether the event can be placed in those spaces? (curator, marketing, PR person, Development Director, etc.) Director and Marketing/Events persons should make this decision 4. Do you ever move displays or rearrange your schedule to accomodate special events? No 5. How do you incorporate your mission into events? Do you have docents on hand to give tours, flyers posted everywhere, etc. Events are not part of the mission of the Smithsonian, nor are they part of the mission of the Postal Museum These are not all problems for us, but... I am such a worrier that I am trying to think about all of the inevitables. Please reply to the list and I will try to compile all the information that I recieve. Thanks- Stephanie Robertson Exhibitions Assistant