Seattle, WA. The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is now open. There are some limitations in place to keep people safe. Both the Seattle Art Museum and the Seattle Asian Art Museum are open at limited capacity, Fridays through Sundays, 10 am–5 pm. Outdoor spaces at the Olympic Sculpture Park remain open to the public with the PACCAR Pavilion closed for the time being.
Museum administrators say, “We have carefully planned for our reopening in alignment with Governor Inslee’s guidelines for museums outlined in the Healthy Washington—Roadmap to Recovery plan. We ask our visitors to continue to comply with all COVID-19 directives and guidance issued by the Governor and relevant public health authorities to keep our community safe. Keeping SAM open is dependent on the latest guidance for the Puget Sound area and updates will be reflected here as they change.”
Online Timed Tickets Required: To allow for physical distancing, capacity will be limited and ticketing will be timed. Everyone must get tickets online in advance. Tickets will be released on a rolling basis weekly, every Thursday.
Print out your ticket at home or download to a smartphone. With fewer visitors to the museum, you’ll have an intimate art-viewing experience. Get Tickets.
During the pandemic Priya Frank became the Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at SAM.
An installation “Northwest Modernism: Four Japanese Americans,” celebrates four of Seattle’s leading Japanese American artists: Kenjiro Nomura, Kamekichi Tokita, Paul Horiuchi, and George Tsutakawa.
Visitors have shared positive experiences at SAM.
Please visit at another time if you:
- Are feeling unwell
- Have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or have any COVID-19 symptoms
- Live with or care for someone who has been ill
- Have recently been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19
Please contact [email protected] to exchange your ticket for another day and time if any of the above applies to you.
From Seattle Art Museum:
Masks Required
Staff and visitors over the age of two must wear masks.
Physical Distancing Required
Follow guidelines in public spaces and galleries.
Recognize Risk
SAM has implemented many safety measures and has a state-of-the-art ventilation system, but cannot guarantee zero risk; a risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public setting.
When You Arrive: Seattle Art Museum: Enter at First and Union. The south entrance (the Hammering Man entrance) and the South Hall will be closed.
Seattle Asian Art Museum: Follow marked entrance and exit signs at front doors to maintain one-way visitor traffic and physical distancing.
Expect some areas to be closed
Seattle Art Museum: The Italian Room will not be open to the public when we reopen. The Ann P. Wyckoff Education Resource Center, Bullitt Library, and children play areas will also be closed. TASTE Café will be closed.
Seattle Asian Art Museum: The Education Studio, Community Gallery, Chen Community Meeting Room, and Library will be closed.
Prepare for limited capacity in restrooms
Selected restroom stalls will be closed. Capacity limits will be posted on bathroom doors.
Wash your hands and use hand sanitizers
We have instituted rigorous cleaning procedures using EPA registered disinfectants throughout the museum, with a special focus on high-touch and high-traffic areas and restrooms. We ask that you do your part by washing your hands frequently and using hand sanitizers located throughout the museum.
Expect a contactless experience
Shared materials have been removed from the galleries and interactive touchscreens have been disabled.
Visit SAM Shop!
The Seattle Art Museum Shop and Gallery and the Seattle Asian Art Museum Shop will be open with very limited capacity during museum operating hours to visitors with a ticket. Please visit SAM Shop if you need to purchase water during your visit.
Help Contact Tracing
In alignment with guidance from the Governor’s Office and King County public health officials, SAM is storing ticket buyer information and requesting contact information for all visitors for contact tracing purposes. Learn more
Also please note that if we are unable to reopen or remain open as planned because of changes to public health guidelines, SAM will contact ticket holders via email to present options for moving tickets to a new day and time.
We have worked hard to make visitors and staff comfortable during their visit and hope to see you soon!
Located downtown, one block from Pike Place Market, global art collections, temporary installations, and special exhibitions from around the world bridge cultures and centuries.
Seattle Art Museum acknowledges we are on the traditional homelands of the Duwamish, and the customary territories of the Suquamish and Muckleshoot Peoples. As a cultural and educational institution, we honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present and future. We also acknowledge the many urban Native Peoples from many Nations who call Seattle their home.
For more info click here: Seattle Art Museum.
