5 Ohio Art Museums Blending Culinary and Art 

Activities, History & Heritage

These Ohio art museums showcase a creativity level that both amazes and inspires, with a culinary experience to match

For groups looking to experience the best of arts and culture in the Buckeye State, a trip to the museum is certainly in order. There are a wealth of renowned Ohio art museums across the state that cover a variety of time periods and mediums. Select museums also offer excellent dining options for visitors. This is a great choice for lunch before or after touring the galleries. A wonderful option for tour planners is working with museums to create a magnified art and dining experience. These five Ohio art museums will get you started.

Columbus Museum of Art (Columbus)

The Columbus Museum of Art is is no stranger to hosting special events. Nine facilities are available with dinner seating up to 320 at the Schottenstein Property Group Pavilion. With group tours in mind, the Broad Street Lobby dinner seating capacity is 65, while the LoAnn W. Crane Forum and American Electrical Foundation Ready Room each have a seated dinner capacity of 55. The Schokko Art Café is available after hours and can also seat 60 for dinner. In-house catering and partnerships with local caterers assures an artful experience. Begin planning your evening here. columbusmuseum.org

Cleveland Museum of Art (Cleveland)

With more than 44,000 square feet of event spaces, delicious cuisine and impeccable service all surrounded by world-class art, events are memorable. For groups, Provence Restaurant is perfect for 40 seated guests. The Private Dining Room adjacent to the Provence Restaurant comfortably seats 60, North Court Lobby has a wonderful view of the courtyard and Wade Oval and seats up to 70 for dinner. Larger groups will be comfortable in the Banquet Room with dinner seating for 100, while the East and West Atriums each provide dinner seating for 120 guests. The events department at the Cleveland Museum of Art is ready to help plan your group’s memorable experience. clevelandart.org

Ohio art museums

All dinners at the Cincinnati Art Museum are catered by the museum’s in-house chef. Photo courtesy of the Cincinnati Art Museum.

Cincinnati Art Museum (Cincinnati)

The Cincinnati Art Museum is certainly one of the premier venues for hosting special group traveler events. All dinners are catered by the museum’s in-house chef. The facilities feature the Alice Bimel Courtyard, Main Lobby and Great Hall which seat up to 160 for dinner, 150 with a band. Smaller groups find seating for 45 in the Mary R. Schiff Library, while larger groups up to 70 and 90 have dinner seating in the Castellini Foundation Room and Terrace Café. The staff is waiting to put their skills to your use. cincinnatiartmuseum.org

Toledo Museum of Art (Toledo)

Among the museum’s neoclassical main building, gardens, terraces, galleries and meeting room, there is space to hold a group travel event. Libbey Court is an elegant entry hall with a capacity of 100 for a seated dinner. A group of 60 for a seated dinner would fit well in The Cloister, a medieval stone courtyard, or The Peristyle Lobby. Libbey Court and Gallery 1 and Red Room are perfect for smaller groups of 30 for dinner. In addition to the museum tour and dinner, private viewings and demonstrations are available. toledomuseum.org

Ohio art museums

The Taft Museum of Art can host up to 180 guests for dinner. Photo courtesy of Kortnee Kate Photography

Taft Museum of Art (Cincinnati)

Immersed in history and grandeur, this downtown retreat helps you create your own masterpiece experience. The outdoor Garden Tent is on a brick terrace and adjoins the gardens with a seating capacity of up to 180 guests for dinner. The indoor Luther Hall is located in a new wing and comfortably seats up to 75 dinner guests. Planners can choose from a half-dozen select caterers with a wide variety of menu options. Groups can work with the event staff to plan their unique experience. taftmuseum.org

When planning, remember there may be a cost for the space in addition to the dinner menu. In most cases, the price of admission to the art museum, along with private guided tours and demonstrations will be included. Dinner at the art museum is a great closing event for a tour with wonderful memories.

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