Businesses find muse in art museum's restaurant

The Nevada Museum of Art is beginning to establish itself as a venue for corporate events.

"We've done really well," said Amy Oppio, director of communications for the museum.

"We had a good set of Christmas parties, and we're beginning to see some patterns develop."

The museum in downtown Reno opened in May.

Among the companies which have hosted events at the museum are International Game Technology, Navellier, Clark & Sullivan and Hale Lane, said Gigi Werbecks, manager of food services at Cafe Musee, the restaurant in the museum and its exclusive caterer.

"It's 100 percent smoke-free, and because of the fine art, it boasts the perfect temperature and humidity for human comfort,"Werbecks said.

Venues in the museum include the Founders Room, which can host up to 48 for seated dinners or 100 for cocktail receptions; Reynolds Hall, which can handle 225 for seated dinners or 350 for cocktails; and the Rooftop Sculpture Garden, which can accommodate large parties during warm months.

Cafe Musee, a sister restaurant to The Cheese Board on nearby California Avenue, is owned by Debbie Branby.

The museum restaurant has a separate entrance on Hill Street.

Oppio said the museum's staff knew the facility could attract corporate business, but their study of other museums' attendance patterns had left them uncertain what to expect.

"Museum cafes are always tricky," she said.