Facilities Rentals

Making your event

legendary.

Turning events into unforgettable occasions.

Your guests and associates will never have experienced anything like it. Holding a function in one of the galleries of the Royal BC Museum guarantees smiles and memories for everyone who attends.

Experience the majestic natural beauty, diverse culture and exquisite tastes of British Columbia all in one evening.

Located on the harbour beside the legislature, the museum is within walking distance of the major hotels and across the street from the Victoria Conference Centre.

Imagine sharing drinks or dinner with a Woolly Mammoth or a grizzly bear, or grazing on local foods in a room filled with totem poles.

You have your choice of three permanent galleries, each of which will provide your guests with a unique view of British Columbia all while having the best of British Columbia foods and beverages.

However, we offer much more than the best event location in Victoria. Every single one of our galleries is filled with stunning displays of British Columbia’s natural and human history.

Depending on the size of your group, and the occasion, you can choose between our Main Hall, our Natural History Gallery, or our Modern History and First Peoples Gallery. Each location will leave your guests delighted and amazed by the ambience they experience.

Location is only the beginning.

The beauty of our galleries and convenience of our location are matched by our attention to detail, our service, and the quality of our catering. Whether it’s a dinner for 10 or a reception for 2,000, you’ll have a unique BC experience. We’ll help you design a menu of local food, drink, and entertainment chosen to perfectly match your event. What could be more memorable than that?

We’ve organized spectacular events for corporations and organizations from across North America. We made sure that all of them exceeded their expectations. We’ll do the same for you.

Clifford Carl Hall: putting the “gala” into events.

Imagine having your guests and colleagues sharing their evening with 200 years of BC history. It’ll be an evening that starts with a stroll through our magnificent glass lobby, filled with historic totem poles. They’ll see all the beauty of BC’s past.

From there, they’ll enter Clifford Carl Hall, the location of many, many successful galas.

From sit-down dinners to one-of-a-kind receptions, we offer the very best.

If needed, there is space to install a full stage with a large screen. These can be used for any presentations you’ll need to make.

Our food is a work of art.

Clifford Carl Hall can seat approximately 200 people. We can arrange for them to sit in round tables or theatre style, depending on your preference.

They’ll also dine extraordinarily well. Our caterers have proved themselves over and over again. We can design a dinner to your theme. Your guests will taste the best in local food and drink. In Victoria, with its oceans, farms, and wineries nearby, it means an utterly delicious local experience.

Nowhere else can an evening explore 80 million years of history. Starting from your first glimpse of the ice wall beside the woolly mammoth, your guests will be riveted by every second they spend there.

Imagine them surrounded by exhibits that track how the BC environment has changed over time, walking through a rain forest, hearing the sea lions, seeing a real tidal pool and going under the sea in a submarine. As they mingle and talk, they’ll be drawn to displays of prehistoric life and ancient fossils.

Dramatic Décor Included.

Our Natural History Gallery is an ideal space for small, seated dinners or grazing receptions. The exhibits inspire people to explore the space, and stimulate a sense of fun and adventure in every guest. The gallery will comfortably host your reception or sit down dinner.

And what dinners! Our caterers have served shucked vodka oysters by our seashore exhibit, with freshly caught local salmon as a main course.

Because of the bounty that surrounds Victoria, we pride ourselves on focusing on a 100 mile diet.

Guests consistently tell us that local food and wines add to all the education and fun that make up an evening in our Natural History Gallery.

The natural history gallery; a time they’ll never forget.

The modern history & first peoples galleries.

New worlds to experience.

Man’s history in British Columbia is both very new and very old. While Europeans have been here for only 200 years, the First Peoples have lived in BC since before the Pyramids were built in Egypt. The third floor of the Museum will immerse your guests in history.

In our Modern History Gallery, attendees will mingle with fur traders and explorers. They’ll walk turn-of-the-century streets and explore a replica of North America’s second oldest Chinatown, or spend some time on a pioneer farm in Northern BC. The breathtaking spirituality of the First Peoples gallery will introduce your guests to the rich culture of the First Nations of British Columbia.

With some of the finest examples of First Peoples art in the world, your guests will dine amid the silent totems, hear the legends of these amazing people through their music and be transported to the early villages of the people who met Captain Cook.

Not just an evening, an experience.

In all our galleries, we can offer much more than just a dinner in a dramatic location. Both food and entertainment can be themed with your choice of location. So, in our First Peoples Gallery, you can dine on traditional native foods, served with a modern twist. Your guests can be entertained by a First Nations storyteller. Across the hall, our caterers might serve Asian fusion in Chinatown. Or local musicians could play traditional music before a murder mystery is acted out in our turn-of-the-century town.

Your evening can be completely themed according to your tastes, your budget, and the desires of your organization.

Our Temporary Exhibitions may be rented.

Exhibitions, rates and availability change regularly. Please enquire for more information.

The exhibitions are temporary but the memories last forever.

The Royal BC Museum also offers excellent meeting rooms and space for business and other groups. From our comfortable modern board room that seats 16 to Newcombe Conference Hall, with seating for 100, we have the space you need. Depending on availability, you can book for a morning, a day, or longer. Whatever time you need to get the job done.

Meeting at the Museum, with its convenient central location, can help to free collective minds. You’re minutes away from downtown, but freed up to think and get things done in the calm and peace of this dramatic and private location. Of course, any audio-visual equipment you need is available for a reasonable rental price.

We can also provide all the food and beverages you need, either through our corporate caterers or from our excellent Museum cafĂŠ.

The best part is that, when the work is done, your team will get a group rate to the Royal BC Museum.

So you can finish your day with a trip through our wonderful exhibits. We also offer a full companion/ family program for your delegates.

Get away from distractions without having to travel to get there. Talk to our Facilities Rental Program Manager about your meeting needs.

Meet you at the Royal BC Museum.

The museum that brings events to life.

From global galas to company Christmas parties, the Royal BC Museum has the space – and the atmosphere – you are looking for.

Are you looking for a “getaway” meeting for a dozen, or a formal reception for 1,000? Our galleries, board room, and meeting rooms can be adapted to perfectly suit your needs. And each of our galleries comes with its own unforgettable ambience and theme included in the rental price.

Our approved caterers will work with you directly to create a custom menu for your event. Our guests consistently rave about the quality and originality of our dinner and reception menus. We can also provide you with a list of potential entertainers for your event.

You can also work directly on décor with our approved event decorator. Furthermore, because we have a liquor license, you will not need to get one to host an event here.

FAQs Do we need to use the Museum’s caterers or may we use any caterer?

The Royal BC Museum following the Government of British Columbia guidelines put a request for proposal on BC Bid. Catering companies who complied with the requirements of the bidding process were evaluated according to the policy and a three year contract was awarded to caterers who met the criteria.

Do we need to rent equipment or does the Museum have equipment?

Tables and chairs and equipment having to do with food and beverage service are negotiated with the caterers.

Equipment such as sound, audio visual is available from the Museum the list is included in the rental contract and will be post billed.

Do we need to get a liquor licence for our event?

No, the Museum has a liquor licence.

Can we bring our own liquor?

A requirement for our liquor licence is that all liquor is purchased and served in accordance with BC Liquor Control Board policy.

Why are there some areas where no red wine (or beverages) or red sauces are allowed?

The acids and composition of these have the potential to stain and or damage artifacts if spillage occurs.

What are the capacities for each area?

Capacities vary depending on what kind of an event you are doing (stand-up reception, grazing stations or a sit-down dinner). Each event is different.

What is included in the rental fee?

The Museum event coordinator, a Tec, normal security, and cleaning. Any additional services such as special security, a sound system, or audio visual equipment will be post billed. The client negotiates with the caterer and any entertainment.

Entertainment at the event?

The client negotiates and hires entertainment on their own behalf.

The Museum as a list of entertainment providers who have entertained in the galleries. Additional entertainment may be brought in but must be cleared by the Museum event coordinator. The Museum reserves the right to approve entertainment. All entertainment must be respectful of the protocols involved and the Museum reputation.

May we have a fundraiser at the Museum?

The Royal BC Museum does not raise funds for other organizations.

May we sell goods at our event?

No, this would be a conflict of interest with our gift shop.

Cancellation Policy The Corporation may, at its discretion, terminate this Licence upon 90 days written notice to the User in which case the Corporation will return any money it has received from the User and the User’s rights under this Agreement will terminate without compensation.

The User may, at its discretion, immediately terminate this Agreement upon written notice to the Corporation.

If the User terminates this Agreement

It’s all in the details.

(a) at least 60 days prior to the Commencement Date, the Corporation will return the Deposit to the User; (b) less than 60 days but at least 31 days prior to the Commencement Date, the Corporation will keep the Deposit and return any amounts paid pursuant to s.

2.01(b); and (c) less than 31 days prior to the Commencement Date, the User will pay the full amount set out in this Agreement.

If any act reasonably beyond the control of the Parties including, but without restricting the generality thereof, fire, flooding, snowfall, earthquake, act of war or terrorism, civil unrest or strike, occurs, rendering the Facilities or Equipment unusable by the User during the Term, then where the Term is for one day, the Corporation will refund all payments made by the User under paragraph 2 of this Agreement and where the Term is for more than one day, the Corporation will refund a pro rata sum.

Miscellaneous • SOCAN license will be arranged by RBCM when the renter provides RBCM with details of planned performance in writing.

• A provincial certificate of insurance is required, showing $2,000,000 comprehensive general liability.

• Please note: Red wine and certain foods are not permitted in the galleries.

• All prices shown include basic Museum security, cleaners, an A-V technician and an Event Coordinator.

• Prices shown above do not include food, beverages, entertainment, A-V equipment, pipe & drape, table/ chair rentals, additional security or any other permits required.

• The Museum has a full range of A-V equipment, staging material and props available for rent.

• CC Hall = Clifford Carl Hall on the main floor • Prices may be subject to change without notice.

Sustainability Policy The Royal BC Museum Corporation is committed to acting responsibly on the purchase, use, and disposal of energy or materials that have an impact on the environment. This policy provides a framework within which the RBCM operates, and which demonstrates responsibility and due diligence on the part of the Royal BC Museum Corporation. In addition, we aim to educate and assist members of the RBCM community to understand and fulfill their responsibilities to practice environmental sustainability. For more information visit www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/aboutrbcm

Our preferred suppliers.

Official Corporate Catering Partner Truffles Catering is a 100% local Vancouver Island Company which was started just over 20 years ago by chef proprietor Don Calveley.

We have been working with the Royal BC Museum since the facilities rental program inception and have continued to develop and enhance the partnership between our two organizations.

Our understanding of producing events inside the Museum Galleries is second to none and our team gets great delight in every event we cater to at this very special venue.

We are proud to showcase the best of our region and many of our menu designs reflect this. Our culinary team is highly talented and specializes in creating menus to suit individual occasions.

For out-of-town guests Truffles is best placed to represent local specialties from Vancouver Island producers and suppliers, being a local business committed to sustainable practices.

A range of sample menus is available, and we would be happy to discuss options and event styles at any time.

We look forward to talking with you!

Web site : www.trufflescatering.net E-mail: yummy@trufflescatering.net Tel: 250.544.0200

Decorate Victoria with Huff N Puff: Simple and elegant to fantasy and fun.

Custom designed special event decor for any theme. With over 6,000 square feet of props, specialty linens and fresh floral, our creative team can make your event magical.

When the decor looks good, you look great!

Contact: Sandra Long 480 Tennyson Place, Victoria, BC 250-382-4833 Sandy@DecorateVictoria.com www.DecorateVictoria.com

To learn more about how the Royal BC Museum can turn your event into an unforgettable occasion, please contact: Judith Brunt, Facilities Rental Program Manager p. 250.387.5745  |  f. 250.387.6062 email. jbrunt@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca royalbcmuseum.bc.ca