Reserve Your Event at The Forum
The Forum has hosted events ranging from intimate concert performances to multi-day conferences, with speakers and guests hailing from the greater Harlem community and around the globe.
In booking events at The Forum, priority is given to events that foster Columbia’s research, educational, and community-building initiatives, namely:
- academic conferences, seminars, workshops and lectures sponsored by Columbia departments and faculty;
- workshops, retreats, and conferences that contribute to building knowledge, strengths, and institutional effectiveness within or between Columbia’s divisional units;
- speakers, conversations, and cultural events that engage diverse communities with new ideas, research, questions, and perspectives;
- events that celebrate contributions of the Columbia community and its partners;
- programs that promote the health, well-being, and strengthening of Columbia partnerships, locally and globally.
Prior to submitting a request for space at The Forum, please familiarize yourself with our event spaces, rental rates and services, as well as our policies.
To submit your request, please use the Event Management System (EMS). Visit the links below for more information, or contact us at [email protected] with any questions. Our staff is available to consult with you as you consider The Forum for your next event.
Requesting Space at The Forum
Columbia affiliates, namely faculty and staff, should use Columbia University's Event Management System to request event space at The Forum.
Prior to submitting a request for space at The Forum, please familiarize yourself with our event spaces, rental rates and services, as well as our policies.
Please note that our reservation book is currently open through June 30, 2025. For events taking place at a later date, please contact The Forum directly.
For step-by-step instructions on how to use EMS, please view the EMS Instructional Guidelines found here.
At this time, The Forum is not open to event reservation requests from Student Groups.
Recognized Student Groups hoping to reserve event space on campus should submit their requests via Columbia Event Management.
The Forum currently accepts reservation requests from Columbia affiliates, namely faculty and staff, as well as nonaffiliated external groups, including nonprofit organizations that come through the WHDC application process.
- If you are an external organization, and are not seeking funding through the WHDC application process, please email us directly ([email protected]) to submit your reservation request.
- Please include the event date(s), start/end time(s), desired rooms, and any other pertinent details about your program. A member of our team will be in touch to consult with you.
If you are a nonprofit organization based in or serving West Harlem (MCD9), the West Harlem Development Corporation (WHDC) administers applications for in-kind space requests at Columbia University, including The Forum.
- Please visit the Office of Public Affairs website for more information on the application process.
Helpful Resources
For additional guidance as you navigate the reservation process, please review the documents below
