Located in the heart of Balboa Park, Mingei International Museum celebrates human creativity through folk art, craft, and design. From balconies overlooking Balboa Park to an intimate Courtyard, the Museum offers a wide variety of environments for a unique experience.
Host your Memorable Moments at Mingei
With its newly transformed award-winning building designed by architect Jennifer Luce of LUCE et studio, Mingei International Museum has redefined its relationship to Balboa Park, the San Diego region, and the world while reaffirming its mission to become a space where all are welcome, the community can gather and individuals can find respite, beauty, and creative inspiration. Three levels of breathtaking architectural surprises and commissioned artworks, make your important gatherings or special moments shine in incredible new event spaces within this historic building.
Margaret A. Cargill Commons (MAC)
A stunning new Commons Level and adjoining Courtyard for large parties and events. The Commons Level is the main floor of the Museum, accessible from the Plaza de Panama and Alcazar Garden. This varied space provides an opportunity to view a significant art installation of permanent collection objects, a restaurant, a bar, and an outdoor courtyard which can be utilized for your event.
Capacity
Commons and Courtyard: 315 reception / 220 seated dinner
Commons: 170 reception / 140 seated dinner
Neeley Courtyard
The stunning outdoor Courtyard is floored with Manitoba stone and makes a picture-perfect backdrop provided by the mid-century wall sculpture, Variations on a Gold Theme by Ellamarie and Jackson Woolley. The area can accommodate presentations, ceremonies, projected films, receptions, and seated meals.
Capacity
148 reception / 80 seated dinner
La Atalaya Theater
Theater for performances, lectures, receptions, and dinners with an impressive 40’ retractable glass door that opens to an amphitheater and a view of Palm Canyon. This adaptable space is equipped with radiant flooring, movable seating, and AV capabilities.
Capacity
165 reception / 115 performance seating / 100 buffet-style seated dinner
Smoyer-Dickinson Terrace & Prebys Terrace
Freshly revealed, upper-level Terraces overlook the historic Plaza de Panama with beautiful views of the California Bell Tower, Prado, and Organ Pavillion.
Capacity
Smoyer-Dickinson Terrace: 55 reception / 40 seated dinner
Prebys Terrace: 25 reception / 16 seated dinner
Founder’s Gallery
The Founder’s Gallery is home to the Museum’s iconic Nakashima table complemented by newly commissioned works of art by artist Christina Kim, founder of eco-conscious Los Angeles design house dosa, making this space the perfect setting for intimate and inspiring meetings.
Capacity
38 / seating around Nakashima Table for 24
Francis Hamilton White Art Library
The Art Library offers a backdrop of iconic floor-to-ceiling Vitsoe shelving housing Mingei’s collection of art publications and reference materials. Featuring optional access to the beautiful North Terrace, this space is an excellent choice for a small meeting before gathering outside on the Terrace.
Capacity
13 / seating around Nakashima Table for 6–8
Education Center
The Museum’s new, modern, and spacious Education Center is the ideal space for workshops, hands-on activities, presentations, and even meetings. Fully equipped with private gender-neutral restrooms, storage space for personal belongings, sinks, AV capabilities, and ample workspace.
Capacity
36 stools seated at worktables
*Stools are child-height and can also be replaced with 30 full-sized chairs.
In House Catering
While we encourage the utilization of Urban Kitchen Catering at Mingei for your catering needs for ease of event logistics, we will be adding the option of using select preferred catering vendors in the upcoming year.
For further information about renting a space at Mingei contact our events team at events@mingei.org or call 619-331-3565.
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