The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) is an artist-centered and community-oriented public art gallery located in the heart of Downtown Oshawa. Occupying an inspired 36,000 square foot building designed by renowned Canadian architect Arthur Erickson, the RMG offers several of its spaces for private events such as weddings, galas, receptions, parties, and presentations. As a fully licensed venue with an on-site catering kitchen, the RMG can provide hospitality services for any type of event.
To find out about venue rental availability, please fill out the following form and a member of the team will get back to you, soon. Do not send emails directly to the gallery, only form submissions will be responded to.
The Isabel McLaughlin Gallery
Capacity: 125 theatre style | Rental Fee: $1,000
The Isabel McLaughlin Gallery is home to exhibitions featuring works from the RMG’s Permanent Collection, including works by Group of Seven, Painters 11, and other important artists from Canada and across the world. With hardwood floors and vaulted ceilings, the Isabel Gallery is perfect for wedding ceremonies, receptions, presentations, and screenings.
Please note food and beverages are not permitted in this space.
The WS Nurse Lobby
Capacity: 100 cocktail reception, 75 theatre style, 50 seated dinner | Rental Fee: $650
The gateway to several of the RMG’s contemporary art galleries, the W.S. Nurse Lobby features 35-foot high skylight ceilings and catwalks accessible by elevator, making it an ideal space for cocktail receptions and wedding photos.
The Lookout
Capacity: 20 with tables, 35 theatre style | Rental Fee: $150
Along with a 12ft screen, small kitchenette with a sink, Keurig, kettle, fridge, and counter area, the Lookout features floor to ceiling windows with a view of the Oshawa Creek and our backyard. It is a perfect space for team building, planning sessions, board meetings, and small presentations.
Arthur’s
Capacity: 90 cocktail reception, 64 theatre style, 64 seated dinner | Rental Fee: $1,200
Our fourth-floor multipurpose room is an excellent venue for receptions, parties, and large meetings as it features a panoramic view of Oshawa’s Civic Centre, including City Hall, the McLaughlin Library, and Simcoe Street United Church. The layout of the room can be configured for seated or mingling events (or both!), and the rental fee includes use Arthur’s bar, catering kitchen, and service station.
Your Photographs
4 Hour Booking | $300
Are you looking for a stunning venue to take a family portrait? Are you recently engaged and looking for a beautiful venue to take your engagement or wedding photographs? Let the modern architecture of our building be the perfect backdrop to preserve your moment.
Exhibitions and artwork should not be used as a backdrop for film or photography shoots. It protects the copyright, where needed, as well as artistic and curatorial integrity.
There will be no photography bookings during certain public events at the gallery including OPG Family Days, camps, home school sessions, or schools programming. If your booking is after hours, it will be subject to security fees detailed below.
If you’re already renting our space for your event, there is no additional photography fee.
The Backyard
Capacity: Cocktail reception 250, 150 seated dinner | $2,000
Enjoy the beautiful backyard at the RMG! Designed by LeuWebb Projects and Brook McIlroy landscape architects, our outdoor space is perfect for your summer event. Hold your ceremony under our colourful canopy, set up an outdoor tent for your reception, or plan an al fresco dining experience as the sunsets.
Hours for Venue Rentals
We do not book exhibition spaces or the lobby during opening hours for venue rentals. Our commitment during opening hours is to have the collections and exhibitions fully accessible to the public. All venue rental space bookings can start as soon as the gallery is closed – 4 pm each day with the exception of Thursday when we are open to the public until 9 pm. This is when your access to the space begins, so consider your set up time in your request.
The Lookout and Arthur’s can be rented at any time during gallery opening hours and are only subject to additional security fees if booked outside of opening hours.
Similarly, we do not rent the exhibition spaces out to external parties who want to use the collections or exhibitions as a basis for their event, whether paid or unpaid. The RMG takes the lead for any programming that happens that engages community directly with artwork.
Packages
Isabel Gallery + Lobby + Arthur’s
$2,500
The most comprehensive package available. Host a wedding, conference, or any other major event using all the Gallery has to offer.
Isabel Gallery or Arthur's + WS Nurse Lobby
$1,500
Use our Lobby to receive and entertain guests prior to or following your event in the Isabel Gallery.
Isabel Gallery + Arthur's
$2,000
The perfect set-up for small weddings, corporate or non-profit AGMs, and other events with multiple components. Host your ceremony, presentation, performance, or screening in the Isabel Gallery before inviting your guests upstairs to Arthur’s for refreshments and socializing.
Lobby + Backyard
$2,250
Use our Lobby to receive and entertain guests prior to or following your event in the Backyard.
Entire Building
$5,000
If you have a large activation, festival, or event, you may need to rent our entire space.
Event Support
Bar Services
Bartender: $30/hour
The RMG holds a Liquor Service License, and can provide beer, wine, spirits, and sparkling wine service. The bartender must be provided by either the RMG or one of our catering partners, and open bars must be paid for in full prior to the event. Bars can also be provided by consumption.
Catering
The RMG offers catering for private events through two companies, Berry Hill Food Company and Farm & Wild Catering:
Founded by Chef Sarah Groen and her husband Jorge Chiaparro, Berry Hill’s restaurant location is home to local art and an inspired menu of accessible favourites. Known around town for their wildly popular “Afternoon Teas” at Parkwood Estate, the team at Berry Hill is more than able to meet any dietary or service requests.
Farm and Wild Catering is owned and operated by Chef Daniel Bresca, whose 27 years in the industry have involved stints at some of the finest kitchens across Ontario. Using only the freshest ingredients, Farm & Wild delivers food that not only tastes great but is presented with an equally stellar attention to detail.
Flatware, Cutlery, and Linen Rentals
Venue rental fees include use of tables and chairs, however the RMG does not provide linens (ex. tablecloths, serviettes), glassware, flatware, or crockery. Such rentals can be arranged through either of our caterers as part of your contract, or you can contact our preferred vendor Perfect Party Rentals directly. Perfect Party has supplied RMG clients with high quality rentals for several years, and we’re confident that our clients will be as impressed with their service and products as we are.
Furniture
The RMG has the following furniture available for our venue rental spaces:
- 150 folding black plastic chairs
- 25 black molded plastic chairs with arms
- 6 6’ folding tables
- 10 silver cruiser tables
- Podium (large or collapsible)
- 49 dining chairs (for use in Arthurs ONLY)
- 16 dining chairs with arms (for use in Arthurs ONLY)
- 8 dining tables (for use in Arthurs ONLY)
The only furniture available for backyard events provided by the RMG are the silver cruiser tables. Clients are responsible for renting any other furniture or tents required.
A/V Equipment
Full audio setup: $125. Includes mixing board + two powered speakers w/ stands + two mics
Small audio setup: $50. Includes single speaker + one mic
Large (12’) Projector Screen $500. Includes use of projector, all connecting cables and laptop must be provided by client.
Small (3’) Projector Screen: $100. Includes projector, all connecting cables and laptop must be provided by client.
Security
A security fee of $50 per hour will be applied to any event held after 4pm. Events with guest lists higher than 65 will be charged additional $40 per hour. There are additional charges if your event is longer than 8 hours, held past midnight, or held on a statutory holiday.
To find out about venue rental availability, please fill out the following form and a member of the team will get back to you, soon. Do not send emails directly to the gallery, only form submissions will be responded to.