The Cairns Art Gallery encompasses three of the most iconic heritage buildings in Cairns; the three-level Public Curators Building (est. 1936), the old Court House (est. 1921) and the former Mulgrave Shire Council Chambers (est. 1913). Located in the heart of the busy central business district and adjacent to the beautiful Cairns lagoon and boardwalk, the Gallery enjoys a prestigious location with on-street parking and is within walking distance to all forms of public transport.

Ideal for cocktail parties, private dinners, and corporate networking functions, the Gallery’s venues can be transformed to create just the right look for your event.

Please fill out the Function Enquiry Form and email to email/programs)(cairnsartgallery.com.au and email/info)(cairnsartgallery.com.au

Function Enquiry Form

Public Curators Building

Board Room
Cairns Art Gallery's stunning boardroom is available for meetings, intimate lunches, small gatherings and forums.

The room is panelled in tulip oak and white oak and was originally the Government Tourist Bureau. The mignificent silky oak and beige Chillagoe marble boardroom table is five metres long and was custom designed and built by artists Russell Milledge and Gregory Gilmour.

Capacity: 14 seated

Monday–Saturday
$95/hr

Sunday
$120/hr

The Education Room & Balcony
Located on the First Floor, the education room is perfect for seminars, lectures, workshops and film screenings. The Balcony is perfect for receptions and work functions.

Facilities: Projector & screens, stereo, lectern & microphone, coffee/tea facilities, bar facilities, fridge.

Capacity: 50 standing / 30 seated

Monday–Saturday
$110/hr

Sunday
$125/hr

Ground Floor (Lady Norman Gallery)
Located on the ground floor, Lady Norman Gallery is available for sit down corporate dinners for up to 90 guests. The Gallery boasts a silver ash and Johnson Hardwood, or Spotted gum, floor. This Gallery Space has easy access for guests with limited mobility.

*Hire for this venue is only available outside of Gallery hours. 

Capacity: 110 standing / 90 seated

Monday–Saturday
$200/hr

Sunday
$240/hr

First Floor
Originally the Public Curator's office, this space has a magnificent Chillagoe marble floor and stately columns. Fabulous acoustics make the first floor ideal for musical recitals or book readings and launches.

*Hire for the venue is only available outside of Gallery hours

Capacity: 100 standing / 70 seated

Monday–Saturday
$150/hr

Sunday
$190/hr

Second Floor
The second floor was formerly a storage ‘attic’ in the Public Offices Building. Its timber flooring, along with exposed timber beams and sloped roof, capitalise on the heritage flavour of Cairns Art Gallery. This modern, recently refurbished room (2016) is ideal for launches and presentations.

Capacity: 70 standing / 40 seated

Monday–Saturday
$150/hr

Sunday
$190/hr

Court House Building & Mulgrave Building

Court House - Court Room Only

Monday–Saturday
$200/hr

Sunday
$240/hr

Court House - Juror's Room/Bailiff's Room

Monday–Saturday
$180/hr

Sunday
$210/hr

Court House - All

Monday–Saturday
$230/hr

Sunday
$270/hr

Mulgrave Building

Monday–Saturday
$150/hr

Sunday
$190/hr

Hire fees will be charged from bump-in, to bump-out

An additional 15% of the hire fee will be added to the hire fee after 9pm

All hirings will incur an admin fee of $120 ($80/members)

A 50% discount on the second space will apply to the hire of multiple spaces (eg Loft & education room)

Cairns Art Gallery’s first priority is the preservation and protection of the art housed in the building. Therefore we do not hire the Gallery for birthday parties, wedding receptions or engagement parties. Sorry.

Prices quoted are for room hire only.

All events occurring outside Gallery operating hours will require a security guard, this cost will be incurred by the hirer.

A 10%, non-refundable deposit will be required for all bookings.

A Gallery representative will be in attendance for the duration of all functions.

Smoking is not permitted on the property.

Payment in full will be required within 7 days of receiving the hire invoice.

Damages to the Cairns Art Gallery building or property during the course of a function is the responsibility of the client.

The client will be charged any repair or replacement costs incurred by the Gallery in rectifying the damage.

Cairns Art Gallery is licensed and has bar facilities. As required, we can arrange for professional staff to service the function, at additional cost to the client. However, the Gallery does not provide, nor have the facilities to provide, a catering service. We request liaison with the Operations Co-ordinator regarding catering arrangements to ensure there is no risk to the artworks and that caterers are aware of the constraints of the Gallery spaces.

Any catering brought into the Gallery for a function must be removed at the immediate conclusion of the function.

If your function is being held outside of Gallery hours, special requirements must be made known to Gallery staff at least seven (7) days prior to your function to allow sufficient planning.