Facility Rentals
Treat your family and friends to an evening they will never
forget at Madison Children’s Museum, your out-of-theordinary event location. From birthday, bar/bat mitzvah, and
quinceañera celebrations to holiday parties, sophisticated
black-tie affairs, unique wedding receptions, and corporate
gatherings, you and your guests will be magically
transformed into kids again!
The museum is a bold, vibrant, and fun venue that offers
a unique experience in the heart of downtown Madison.
Featuring works by more than 120 local artists and
creative interactive exhibits, much of your decorating and
entertainment is already done. With two floors of event
space plus our Rooftop Ramble, we can accommodate
groups up to 600.
Best of all, your rental of the museum provides funds that
support our exhibit and education programs, and brings
new audiences to our award-winning facility. Your great
party helps a great cause!
Let Madison Children’s Museum deliver an experience that
you and your guests will be talking about for years to come.
For more information or to book an event, contact:
Sarah Davidson, Facility Rental Coordinator
Madison Children’s Museum
100 N. Hamilton Street
Madison, WI 53703
608.256.6445, ext. 540
[email protected]
Customize Our Space to Suit Your Needs
Depending on the number of guests and the nature of your event, you can rent
the First Floor, Second Floor, and/or Rooftop Ramble. The entire museum can
accommodate up to 600 guests.
First Floor (150 seated, 200 standing)
The DeAtley Community Concourse, with easy access off the Capitol Square,
entertains guests with the Wonderful Water Machine, ball runs, dress-up window,
and tantalizing previews of what’s inside the museum. The Roman Candle Sparkler
café can be engaged to serve its famous pizza, pasta, salad, and delicious Chocolate
Shoppe ice cream.
The Wildernest, in the Evjue Early Learning Gallery, is designed for children ages
birth to 5 and built almost entirely out of natural materials from Wisconsin. This
wonder-filled village offers opportunities for guests of all ages to explore a room-size
work of art. The suspended Bone Bridge provides elevated viewing for remarks or
performances below.
Second Floor (200 seated, 250 standing)
The Jim & Susan Bakke Art Studio is where children create works of art during the
day, but your guests can unleash their creativity after hours. Host an intimate seated
dinner with a twist using the colorful painted chairs, or ask our staff to customize an
art activity for your guests to take home their original masterpiece. Don’t miss the
Shadow Room!
Possible-opolis is our second-floor city found at the intersection of art and science.
This whimsical, open-ended, interactive environment has been built almost entirely
from recycled and repurposed materials, with a surprise around every corner.
Conversation flows as guests team up to build structures, try the Gerbil “Wheeeel,”
or ascend the Hodgepodge Mahal climber. You’ll find the repurposed gym floor to be
perfect for late-night dancing.
The Celebrations Room provides a multipurpose space which can be used for
meetings, workshops, lectures, party preparation, or even a bar or buffet line.
Rooftop Ramble (25 seated, 175 standing)
The Rowland Rooftop Ramble is a unique, four-season “park in the sky” that affords
stunning views of the Capitol Square and Lake Mendota. Let your guests meander
through lush gardens in this urban oasis, which grows more beautiful as the sun sets and
the Capitol dome begins to glow.
Pricing Guide
(Prices are subject to change at any time)
Meetings at MCM
Perfect for: Business Meetings, Workshops, Bridal/Baby Showers
Large Meeting Space
Small Meeting Space
Capacity: 80 people
Capacity: 40 people
$360/2 hours
$180/2 hours
All meetings include tables and chairs for group
and exclusive use of our Celebrations Room
Standing Receptions at MCM
Perfect for: Corporate Events/Happy Hours, Galas, Holiday Parties, Fundraisers,
Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, After Parties, Concerts on the Square
Floors
Rooftop
1st Floor
2nd Floor
1st Floor &
Rooftop
2nd Floor &
Rooftop
1st & 2nd
Floor
Full
Museum
Capacity
175
200
250
375
425
450
600
Cost
$1,500
$1,275
$1,500
$2,125
$2,500
$2,500
$3,000
All standing receptions include staffing, cocktail tables, banquet tables, AV Equipment, setup/takedown of equipment
Sitting Receptions at MCM
Perfect for: Weddings, Rehearsal Dinners, Corporate Events, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Fundraisers, Birthday/Anniversary Parties, Proms
Floors
Rooftop
1st Floor
2nd Floor
1st Floor &
Rooftop
2nd Floor &
Rooftop
1st & 2nd
Floor
Full
Museum
Capacity
25
150
150
150
200
300
350
Cost
$2,000
$1,700
$2,000
$2,550
$3,000
$3,000
$3,500
All sitting receptions include staffing, cocktail tables, banquet tables, round dinner tables & chairs,
AV equipment, setup/takedown of equipment
Nonprofit organizations that can provide
verification of their current 501(c)3 status are
eligible to receive a 30% discount on rental rates.
Madison Children’s Museum is happy to provide
a 15% discount on rentals during off-season,
from November–April.
Preferred Caterers
AJ Bombers
HyVee Westgate
Erin Peschel,
[email protected]
608.305.4474
www.ajbombers.com
Eric Shahan,
[email protected]
608-277-6735 (ask for catering)
www.hy-vee.com
Blue Plate Catering
The Roman Candle
Tim DiMenna,
[email protected]
608.827.7200
www.blueplatecatering.com
Mat Adams
[email protected]
608-258-2000
www.theromancandle.com
Food Fight Group Restaurants
Subway on the Square
Including Bluephies, Eldorado Grill,
Fresco Rooftop Restaurant,
Hubbard Avenue Diner & Bakery,
Market Street Diner & Bakery,
Carl’s Cakes Wedding Cakes,
Monty’s Blue Plate Diner,
Steenbock’s on Orchard,
Tex Tubb’s Taco Palace
Bill Horzuesky, [email protected]
608-213-0493
www.foodfightinc.com
Pat McCarthy,
[email protected]
608.255.1636
www.subway.com
Upstairs Downstairs Catering
Megan Vlazny,
[email protected]
608.256.4600
www.updowncatering.com
Alcoholic beverages
The Roman Candle is the exclusive alcohol caterer for Madison Children’s Museum. Any and all
alcoholic beverage service must be sold and served through The Roman Candle and all private events
must be open bar only. If not having alcohol, non-alcoholic beverage service may be arranged with the
approved caterer of your choice. To reserve your bar service needs, please contact Mat Adams at
[email protected]
Other caterers may apply for preferred caterer status through Sarah Davidson, Facility Rental Coordinator.
All food and catering expenses will be billed directly through your approved purveyor.
Please note that catering costs for all food and beverages include a set royalty fee for the museum to help
support its exhibits and education programs.
Additional Amenities and Guidelines
Event hours must be before or after the museum is open to the public, 7–9 a.m.
or 6–11 p.m.
Madison Children’s Museum requires security for all private rentals. Security is charged
at a rate of $22/officer/hour. The number of officers present will be determined by the
Facility Rental Coordinator and is based upon your attendance and type of event.
Parking is available on site for your guests in the museum’s two-level parking lot, with
entrances on North Hamilton and East Dayton streets. All 47 spaces on the upper and
lower decks can be reserved for a flat rate. Parking may be rented exclusively for your
event at $200.
Events are not confirmed on the museum’s calendar until we receive signed copies
of the event contract and a 50 percent deposit. Event must be booked at least 1 month
in advance.
For more information or to book an event, contact:
Sarah Davidson, Facility Rental Coordinator
Madison Children’s Museum
100 N. Hamilton Street
Madison, WI 53703
608.256.6445, ext. 540
[email protected]