NYSCI’s events department handles a variety of events throughout the year, ranging from corporate and private events to Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and Sweet 16 parties. To help these events run smoothly, we recommend reading the following event guidelines prior to hosting your event at the Hall. Do not hesitate to contact our events staff with specific questions. You can reach Jennifer Brunjes, VP of Special Events, at 718-699-0005 ext. 371.

Décor Restrictions
Glitter and confetti are not permitted, as both are difficult to cleanup from the museum floor and exhibits. Candles are prohibited on the museum floor or within museum hallways. Votive candles may be used for adult events only.

Event Staff
NYSCI provides an event coordinator, security, a maintainer, custodial monitor, coat check with coat check attendant and Explainers (our docents) for all rental events. The event coordinator will assist you with logistics during load-in, and will approve the satisfactory cleanup of décor as well as food and beverage stations. The maintainer will be on hand to help with power and other facility needs. The Explainers are present to facilitate the guests’ interactions with the exhibits when guests are present on the exhibition floors.

Moving Exhibits
We cannot move exhibits for events as many of our exhibits are either permanently placed or difficult to move.

Food Restrictions
Popcorn and frying are not permitted on the premises. Waitstaff is required for all events in which food is involved. All areas in which food is prepared and/or served must be returned to their original condition. NYSCI has final approval of all equipment brought on premises. Approval of said equipment must be given two weeks prior to event.

Museum Availability
NYSCI is available for private event rentals during nonpublic hours. Evening events may begin no earlier than 6 pm on weekends. Weekday hours vary. Fall and winter hours vary. Corporate events and meetings may occur during museum hours. Please ask our events staff for specification on your event times.

Pre-event setup time is often available the night before an event, allowing for event rentals to be delivered the day before. However, if an event is held the evening before your event, rentals will need to be delivered the morning of your event. Check availability with NYSCI’s event staff.

Outside Vendors
NYSCI has approval over all vendors (including planners and caterers.) NYSCI has a list of recommended vendors that your event coordinator will discuss with you. You may chose to use a vendor or caterer not on that list. A list of vendors (including caterer) with contact person and telephone number/email address must be given to NYSCI's special events director for approval. Before the event, all outside vendors are required to schedule a walkthrough with an events staff member to make arrangements regarding deliveries, power needs, floor plan, loading areas and pickup times. While we can accommodate most requests, we ask that you bring extension cords for power needs. We require cords and exposed cables to be safely taped and covered.

Power
Much of the available electricity in the museum is used to power NYSCI’s exhibits. For this reason, we ask that you do not unplug anything without asking a NYSCI event coordinator first. All participating vendors must share the power in each space. If a vendor feels that they may overwhelm the existing power, they must provide their own generator.