Rentals at the Carver
Reservations for the 2027 season are now open!
Learn How to ReserveThe George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural, and Genealogy Center is available for a wide variety of indoor and outdoor rentals including community events, non-profit events, business events, meetings, lectures, classes, banquets, and more. Events can be public or private.
Rental Spaces
The Carver offers the following spaces for reservations:
- Outdoor event space is available on front side of the facility. (The Carver Plaza)
- 4800 sq. ft. museum lobby. (The Drum)
- 134-seat theater with two dressing rooms for a hourly rental fee.
- Commercial kitchen.
- Three community "creative spaces" free during business hours.
- Open grassy area on the back side of the facility. (The Freedom Plaza)
Facility Details
Boyd Vance Theatre
Stadium style seating makes it so there isn’t a bad seat in the house. The proscenium stage is fully integrated with light and sound and has a projector. Located behind the stage is a loading dock to handle all your set needs. There are two dressing rooms located in the backstage area – one on each side of the stage. Capacity: 134 seats (including 4 ADA compliant seats).
Amenities
- Complete PA system
- Professional stage lighting
- HD projector and large screen
- Dressing rooms equipped with on-stage live feed
- Loading dock behind stage
- Capacity: 134 seats
Facility Details
Carver Classroom
The Carver Classroom is designed to meet the informational, educational, and professional needs of arts organizations at NO COST.
Amenities
- Workspace tables and chairs
- Flat screen TV with easy HDMI hookup
- Capacity: 20-25
Community meeting rooms are free of charge for eligible groups and organizations. View the Carver Facility Guidelines (PDF).
- How to reserve Community Rooms/Creative Spaces
Rooms are available on a first come first serve basis during the following times:
- Monday: Wednesday: 10am to 5:30pm
- Thursday : 10am to 8:30pm
- Friday: 10am to 5:30pm
- Saturday: 10am to 3:30pm
To request space, please fill out the Community Room Reservation Request (fillable PDF versions are available upon request). Please contact carver.rentals@austintexas.gov or call (512) 974-3680 for more information.
Facility Details
Carver Classroom
The Carver Dance Studio is designed to meet the creative and athletic needs of arts organizations at NO COST.
Amenities
- Equipped with mirrors, ballet barres, and a sprung floor
- Bluetooth sound system
- Flat screen TV with HDMI hookup
- Capacity: 20-30
Community meeting rooms are free of charge for eligible groups and organizations. View the Carver Facility Guidelines (PDF).
- How to reserve Community Rooms/Creative Spaces
Rooms are available on a first come first serve basis during the following times:
- Monday: Wednesday: 10am to 5:30pm
- Thursday : 10am to 8:30pm
- Friday: 10am to 5:30pm
- Saturday: 10am to 3:30pm
To request space, please fill out the Community Room Reservation Request (fillable PDF versions are available upon request). Please contact carver.rentals@austintexas.gov or call (512) 974-3680 for more information.
Facility Details
Carver Conference Room
The Carver Onie B. Conley Conference Room is designed to meet the profession and educational needs of arts organizations, community leaders, and small businesses at NO COST.
Amenities
- Equipped with glass white board
- Conference table, chairs, and sofa
- Flat screen TV with HDMI hookup
- Capacity: 12-15
Community meeting rooms are free of charge for eligible groups and organizations. View the Carver Facility Guidelines (PDF).
- How to reserve Community Rooms/Creative Spaces
Rooms are available on a first come first serve basis during the following times:
- Monday: Wednesday: 10am to 5:30pm
- Thursday : 10am to 8:30pm
- Friday: 10am to 5:30pm
- Saturday: 10am to 3:30pm
To request space, please fill out the Community Room Reservation Request (fillable PDF versions are available upon request). Please contact carver.rentals@austintexas.gov or call (512) 974-3680 for more information.
Facility Details
The Carver Drum
The lobby, affectionately referred to as “The Drum,” is a wonderful open space designed to maximize natural light, perfect for receptions. Capacity: 100 seated, 250 standing reception
Amenities
- 6-screen TV wall
- Greenery wall for a stunning photo backdrop
- Beautiful natural light
- Capacity: 100 seated, 250 standing reception
Facility Details
Commercial Kitchen
The commercial kitchen is available to rent. A certificate of insurance and a temporary food event permit from Austin Public Health are required. The kitchen includes commercial grade equipment including a large icemaker, refrigerator, freezer, warming ovens, and a microwave.
Facility Details
The Carver Plaza
The Carver Plaza is the outdoor event space on front side of the facility.
Amenities
- Generous capacity and versatility
- Partial shade
- Easily accessible electrical outlets
- Generous capacity and versatility
Facility Details
The Carver Freedom Plaza
The Freedom Plaza features an open grassy area, heritage oaks, and picnic tables. No outdoor lighting or electricity beyond building balcony. Tables and chairs are not included with rental.
Amenities
- Generous capacity and versatility
2027 Season
Rental Inquiries and Reservations
Application Process
- Download the Carver Facility Rental User Guide (PDF) to your device. Please read through the entire guide to understand the policies and expectations of our space.
- Complete the Carver Rental Application (PDF) document, save to your device, and email it as an attachment to carver.rentals@austintexas.gov
Important Notes
- Applications will be considered in the order they are received.
- A completed application *does not* guarantee a reservation.
Due to the high volume of inquiries, rental requests must be AT LEAST 30 days in advance for consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
It serves as a hard reservation for the space(s) and a damage/cleanup deposit.
Yes, renters will receive the deposit upon the condition that there is no outstanding balance and the space is left in its original state.
Prospective renters should contact the museum staff directly for information of available dates. Call 512-974-4926.
The Boyd Vance Theatre seats 134.
Depending on the layout of an event, the lobby holds from 100-200 people. If the event is completed seated, only 100 patrons will be fit comfortably in the lobby. If the event is standing and flowing, 200 people will fit comfortably in the lobby.
Unfortunately the Carver does not have table coverings for renters. If an emergency arises, the Events Supervisor or Carver Event Staff will assist.
Please know that while the Carver’s stove, sink, refrigerator, and freezer are available, it is not possible to provide cooking utensils for events.
Because the Carver kitchen must remain accessible to clients and Carver programs, overnight storage is not permitted.
Helpful Documents and Links
- Rental Rates and Fees (PDF)
- Facility Rental User Guide (PDF)
- Carver Rental Application (PDF)
- Carver Collaboration Website
- Carver Museum, Cultural, & Genealogy Center Community Room Request Form (PDF)
- Carver Facility Guidelines
- Carver Collaboration Application (DOC)
- Carver Theater and Lobby Floor Plans (PDF)
- Carver Commercial Kitchen Rules and Regulations (PDF)
- Temporary Food Event Application (PDF)
- Alcohol Permit Information (PDF)