BY CLAIRE HANNUM

There’s just something extra special about talking shop over cocktails with a piece by Pablo Picasso or Henri Matisse just a few feet away. Art museums are a great avant-garde option for meetings and events across industries. A peaceful gallery is always a step up from a crowded conference room.

“[With] breakout sessions, attendees can truly go into the galleries and have more of an experience,” says Rachel Rosen, director of catering sales at Bon Appétit Management Company at the Cleveland Museum of Art. “It’s so different from being in a hotel … you can go for a meeting and say, ‘I’ll just go sit by a Monet for a little bit in between sessions.’ It’s what’s so fun about the space.”

Museums provide an inspiring break from the mundane, and many come along with ready-made food and activity options that make planners’ lives easier. In addition to standard meeting rooms, many museums offer auditoriums, thoughtfully appointed atriums, gallery spaces, cafes and expansive courtyards for outdoor events. With on-site catering partners and robust audiovisual equipment, many museums are more turnkey than planners might initially expect.

If a meeting is booked at a nearby conference center or hotel, museums can also serve as excellent options for team-building and downtime activities, with tours and workshops available for groups. Many museums offer free entry, even for groups — but it’s always ideal to give them a heads up regardless, so they can ensure the space, and any on-site cafes or facilities, are ready to accommodate a large group, and can possibly even offer a more personalized visit. Knowledgeable docents and customized experiences can enhance the overall experience, whether it’s as a downtime event or as an add-on to a full-scale conference.

One thing planners might want to consider is ensuring there is enough parking or alternative transportation options available, since many museums have somewhat limited lots depending on your group’s size. Because of museums’ unique contents, they may additionally have quirkier rules about how spaces can be used and how events may be laid out. This can include limits on decor — but fortunately, the art steps in as pre-made decor on its own. Since museums also often attract the best of the best when it comes to architecture and designers, you can count on the space itself to stand out, even without decor.

There’s nothing quite like conducting business surrounded by some of the most cherished works in the world. These Midwest museums offer welcoming meeting spaces for groups of all industries and sizes. One thing’s for sure: Attendees will never run out of conversation pieces in spaces like these.

MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

The Milwaukee Art Museum grabs your attention from the jump thanks to its three buildings’ astounding designs by three famed architects: Santiago Calatrava, Eero Saarinen and David Kahler. Once you see the central building’s iconic structure, you’ll never forget it: Its famed Burke Brise Soleil, a moveable sunscreen, folds and unfolds twice throughout the day. From far away, the shape might remind you of a bird or a sailboat. Perched on Lake Michigan, the museum boasts phenomenal views for events of all stripes.

The museum offers many spaces for rental. Its iconic Quadracci Pavilion is perhaps the most popular, with marble floors, bright blue lake views and capacity for over 1,000 guests. Other spaces include gallerias, an outdoor terrace and event halls. Groups can also enjoy the floor to ceiling-windowed cafe and the Milwaukee Room, a versatile space that can accommodate anything from meetings to workshops to receptions. The museum’s in-house catering team can customize menus to your event’s needs and the museum’s underground parking garage has nearly 100 spaces.

DES MOINES ART CENTER IN DES MOINES, IOWA

The Des Moines Art Center is both a museum and an art education space. The facility houses permanent collections that feature over 6,000 creative works and a collection with some pieces dating back 500 years.

“The Des Moines Art Center boasts a variety of spaces designed by three master architects to accommodate the most discerning needs: a gorgeous lobby, an intimate cafe, a 220-seat theater, and an open-air courtyard and reflecting pool with striking views of our buildings,” says Amy Day, senior director of communications and marketing at the Des Moines Art Center. “These customizable accommodations are perfect for creating a truly memorable event.”

Groups can explore the museum on a self-guided adventure or can enjoy a guided tour, which can be tailored to the group’s interests.

DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN

The Detroit Institute of Arts was founded in 1885 and has been housed in its current illustrious Beaux-Arts building for nearly a century. The museum’s claim to fame is Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry mural, which fills an entire room and depicts hardworking factory employees making the auto industry move. In addition, guests will find more than 65,000 other pieces of art, including Vincent Van Gogh’s “Self-Portrait” and Henry Fuseli’s “The Nightmare.”

With 658,000 square feet, the museum offers several distinct spaces for events, including an auditorium that seats 1,140 and a lecture hall that seats 333. It’s located in Detroit’s historic Midtown neighborhood with easy access to 10 nearby hotels, restaurants, sports venues and historic sites.

CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART IN CLEVELAND, OHIO

“The Cleveland Museum of Art is consistently ranked as one of the top museums in the country, if not the world,” says Todd Mesek, chief marketing officer of the museum. “In this collection, we’ve got thousands of objects that represent thousands of years of human culture, including some of the world’s most important art and marquee objects.” The treasures housed in the museum include Picasso’s “La Vie” and other famous works.

When it comes to event spaces, the atrium is the star of the show, with ample space and a glass ceiling that brings in plenty of light. The museum also offers a banquet room, a dining room and an auditorium with space for up to 680 guests. For smaller groups of up to 150, the museum has a lecture and recital hall. The museum is catered by Bon Appétit Management Company, which partners with renowned Cleveland chef Doug Katz.

“I often say that food is the easiest part of my job,” says Rosen. “Because truly, I think we’re in such a special space that it’s important that the food matches it. It’s definitely not going to be traditional banquet food. We’re a company that’s very focused on sustainability and fresh local ingredients.”

The museum’s education department can set up themed docent tours for groups enjoying an outing or guests can roam freely. “Some of the world’s most beautiful things are in this museum,” says Mesek.

And beauty like that is sure to add a bit of magic to any meeting.