The gallery building, about 36,000 sq ft, was designed by architect Arthur Erickson and sits in Oshawa’s Civic Centre.
About the venue
The WS Nurse Lobby has 35-foot skylight ceilings and catwalks reached by elevator. The gallery holds a liquor licence, and bartenders must come from the gallery or its catering partners. Catering is provided by the gallery’s catering partners. Most rentals begin after the gallery closes at 4 pm; The Lookout and Arthur’s can be booked during opening hours. The outdoor Backyard has a canopy and holds up to 150 for a seated dinner.
On EventPlans.ca it is listed as a museum or gallery in Oshawa, at 72 Queen St., Civic Centre, Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z3.
Event spaces
The venue lists these spaces. Capacities are the venue’s own figures and change with the layout you choose.
- Isabel McLaughlin Gallery
- WS Nurse Lobby
- The Lookout
- Arthur’s
- The Backyard (outdoor)
Capacity
The venue publishes a maximum of 150 seated, 250 standing reception, 125 theatre style. Those are top figures for an empty room. A dance floor, a stage, a buffet or a photo booth each take space, so plan on fewer guests than the maximum once your layout is drawn.
A useful rule: a seated dinner at rounds of ten needs about 1 to 1.2 square metres per guest, a standing reception about 0.7, and theatre seating about 0.6, before you add a stage or dance floor. The venue capacity calculator does the arithmetic for your room.
Events it hosts
According to its own event pages, the venue hosts weddings, galas and fundraisers, corporate events, conferences and meetings and private social events.
For timelines, budgets and checklists, start with the wedding planning hub, gala planning hub, corporate holiday party hub.
Questions to ask on your site visit
Bring these to your walk-through. Get the answers in writing before you sign.
- Which galleries are open to guests during the event, and which must stay closed?
- Are there rules on food, red wine, candles or flowers near the collection?
- What is the earliest set-up time after the public closes?
- Must you use the in-house caterer, and is security staffing included?
- Are there height, haze or fog restrictions near the artwork?
- Can guests take photos in all spaces?
Planning entertainment here
Museums often limit haze, open flame and anything that could touch the collection. Close-up magic, string players and roaming performers usually fit easily; ask before booking anything with fire or confetti.
Send every performer’s technical needs to the venue before you book: floor space, ceiling height, power, sound and changing room.
Getting there
Check the venue website for directions, parking rates and accessible entrances, and send the details to guests with the invitation.
Official website: rmg.on.ca/visit/venue-rental
Food, bar & hours
- Catering policy
- Preferred caterer list
About this listing
EventPlans.ca lists venues independently so planners can compare them in one place. This listing is not an advertisement: the venue did not pay for it, has not reviewed it, and is not affiliated with EventPlans.ca. Capacities, rooms and policies are taken from the venue's own published information and can change, so confirm every detail with the venue before you book.
Sources: rmg.on.ca/visit/venue-rental · checked November 2026
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