Rental Events & Filming
GENERAL INFORMATION ON OBSERVATORY USEAll facilities at Griffith Observatory are primarily for use of the Observatory in accomplishing its mission of public astronomy and science education. The use of Observatory facilities for activities conducted or sponsored by the Observatory takes priority over all other uses at all times. Consideration is provided for uses by Friends Of The Observatory (FOTO), related to FOTO’s public-private partnership with the Department to support the Observatory. Griffith Observatory will consider appropriate and relevant requests for rental or commercial filming use of its facilities consistent with the Observatory’s mission and the policies of the Department of Recreation and Parks.
The Observatory defines an “event” as an activity which departs from normally described operations. Most events are actually initiated by the Observatory as an enhancement to normal public operations. Some events are initiated by FOTO, with advance approval of the Observatory Director, in order to enhance programming opportunities or assist in fundraising in support of the Observatory. A small subset of events are rental or filming activities, wherein outside organizations seek to use Observatory facilities for some purpose aligned with the Observatory’s astronomical and civic mission.
PRIMARY MISSION: SERVING OBSERVATORY VISITORS
Griffith Observatory’s primary mission is to serve visitors through public operation of the facility. Regularly scheduled public operation occurs on the following schedule:
• Weekdays (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• Weekends (Saturday and Sunday) 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• Mondays Closed
• School show programs (weekdays during school year) 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Public operation of the facility is generally considered to encompass public areas of the building and the surrounding grounds. These include:
• Programs in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium
• Programs in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon
• Public telescope viewing in the domes, on the front lawn, and on the east and west terraces
• Public access to exhibit galleries and staff interpretation
• Public access to the roof and grounds
Other Observatory uses of the building have often included:
• Monthly star parties and special observing events hosted by the Observatory (and conducted in cooperation with the LAAS and Sidewalk Astronomers)
• Monthly meetings of the Los Angeles Astronomical Society (LAAS) and similar organizations
• Meetings of astronomical organizations, conferences, or other related groups
• Special lectures, symposia, or other astronomical programming
• News media activities and coverage, including press conferences
• Special civic events for the City of Los Angeles
CRITERIA AND GUIDELINES FOR RENTAL USE
As noted above, Observatory facilities may occasionally be made available for rental usage (events or commercial filming) by outside organizations. Because the building is open to the public six days a week, 10-12 hours per day, the only practical time for most rental usage is on Mondays. Please be aware that not all Mondays will be available for rental use, because the Observatory must use some of those days for vital building maintenance and repairs, special programming, and staff training.
Within that timeframe, the most important criteria in determining whether to approve such a rental usage request is its Relevance to the Observatory Mission. Integral to the purpose of the rental event and/or use of the Observatory are goals of civic responsibility; promotion of science and astronomy; collaboration on issues in which the Observatory has a functional relationship, such as education; or celebration of Griffith Park, its donor, or the facility itself. The Observatory does not permit rentals at any time for personal events (e.g., birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, bar mitzvahs). As a general rule, corporate meetings, conferences, or other gatherings will not meet the "Relevance" criteria and will not be permitted.
Programs of the Observatory have priority over any other proposed use. All those wishing to make rental use of a portion of the Observatory must conform to the following policies:
• Event planning and execution are subject to review by the Observatory Director who will make the determination regarding a proposed event and will forward to the General Manager, Department of Recreation and Parks. Decisions of the General Manager are final.
• Event may not compete with or disrupt Observatory programs.
• Event may not charge admission, conduct auctions, or permit any sales outside those coordinated by the Observatory’s authorized concessionaires. Observatory facilities may not be used for the purpose of fundraising.
• Event may not impose an unreasonable burden on Observatory staff, other Griffith Park facilities, or the surrounding neighborhood.
• Event may not displace or interfere with other Observatory activities.
• Event limited to maximum 1,800 total participants (including attendees and all required staff).
• Alcohol service, if applicable, must conclude by 10:00 p.m. and events at which alcohol is served should conclude no later than 10:30 p.m. Exceptions to the 10:00 p.m. cut off of alcoholic service or 10:30 p.m. event conclusion may be granted only by the expressed advance written approval of the Department of Recreation and Parks General Manager. If an event at which alcohol is served occurs during public operations, service and consumption of alcohol must take place out of public view.
RENTAL FEES, EXPENSES, AND CATERING
There are fees for rental and filming uses of the building, set by the Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners. These fees are based on the areas of the building to be used, the duration of the proposed use, and the services required. The rental fee for use of the entire building (inside and outside) for an event, such as a dinner, start at $25,000 for a 10-hour period (which includes set-up, the event, and clean-up). Fees for filming begin at $25,000 (exterior of building only) and $40,000 (interior and exterior) for a 10-hour shoot (including set-up, filming, and clean-up). Fees may not be discounted or reduced. In addition to the fees specifically designated for the rental use, the organization conducting the event will need to reimburse the Observatory for all direct costs, including the costs of staff for the event, security, and any specially-requested programmatic options (such as a show in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium or availability of telescopes).
Please note that any organization seeking to use the Observatory for an event or filming will be required to carry insurance. The organization will be fully liable for the immediate and full repair of any damage to the Observatory building, grounds, or roads caused by the event or filming.
All catering for an event (or craft services for filming) must be through Wolfgang Puck Catering, which is the exclusive catering services provider for the Observatory. Costs for catering are in addition to the rental fees and expenses noted above. An organization seeking to hold an event at the Observatory must have that request approved by the Observatory before making catering arrangements. Please be aware that the Observatory does not provide tables, chairs, lighting, linens, or other elements of an event; the organization renting the facility would need to make all arrangements necessary to acquire these items for the event, either through Wolfgang Puck Catering or independently.
Please note that there are limitations on the types of food and drinks that can be served in certain areas of the building.
Filming companies should take note that they would be required to work with Wolfgang Puck Catering for the provision of craft services.
