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​​Frequently Asked Questions

We’re here to help. The sections below offer answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about SAM. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, contact our customer service center.

PLAN YOUR VISIT


Tickets

Yes! SAM wants everyone to experience the art in our galleries and we offer many ways to visit the museum for free or at a reduced rate. Learn more about discount programs available at SAM.

We do not require timed ticketing for our current exhibitions. Please note: due to popularity, there may be a brief wait to enter Calder: In Motion, The Shirley Family Collection. Please plan accordingly.

Yes, SAM is a Seattle C3® attraction! It’s easy to save up to 31% off admission to Seattle’s top 3 attractions. First, purchase Seattle C3® tickets online for instant mobile ticket delivery. Next, present your C3® ticket at the ticketing desk in the main lobby to receive your SAM ticket for entry – no advanced reservations are required.

Seattle Art Museum: There is a single price for admission at Seattle Art Museum’s downtown location. This is not a suggested donation nor is the Pay What You Wish option available.

Seattle Asian Art Museum: SAM has an operating agreement with the City of Seattle for the Seattle Asian Art Museum art deco building located in Volunteer Park. As part of this agreement, admission pricing at the Seattle Asian Art Museum is suggested. Visitors here may pay what they wish for entry. This option is only available to purchase onsite.

SAM offers many ways to visit the museum for free or at a reduced rate Learn more about discount programs available at SAM.

We have streamlined the ticket purchasing experience at our downtown location to a single “Admission” ticket. This ticket includes access to everything currently on view in the museum. On “Free First Fridays” seniors previously needed to pay a $7.99 surcharge to view the touring exhibition. Going forward, all seniors will be able to experience everything currently on view in the museum for a single ticket price of $5, the first Friday of every month.

SAM offers many ways to visit the museum for free or at a reduced rate Learn more about discount programs available at SAM.

Buying tickets online in advance is highly encouraged, plus it saves you money! Save $3 when you purchase tickets online at least one day in advance of your visit. Admission increases if you wait until the day of your visit to purchase tickets online or onsite. Tickets are released online the first Thursday of every month on a rolling basis.

If you do not have an account already, you will be prompted to create an account with a login and password in order to check out online.

Please contact SAM’s Customer Service Center through our online form to request your print-at-home tickets be sent to you via email.

Please start by checking your email account’s junk/spam folder. Be sure your email account is set up to receive emails sent from "ticketing@seattleartmuseum.org." If you still have not received a confirmation, please contact SAM’s Customer Service Center through our online form.


Visiting SAM

Backpacks, large bags, or items larger than 11″ x 15″ are not allowed in the galleries and must be checked. Coat check is free at Seattle Art Museum, and Seattle Asian Art Museum has a free self-check, so please plan accordingly.

At the Seattle Art Museum, only the First and Union entrance is currently open. The south entrance (the Hammering Man entrance) and the South Hall are temporarily closed to the public. At the Seattle Asian Art Museum, the main entrance is open.

During the pandemic, SAM closed a few public areas of the museum to reduce overall visitor footprint so we could operate and provide access to our galleries. Some areas remain closed to all visitors—these include:

Seattle Art Museum: The south wing of the museum—including South Hall and South Hall restrooms, the Grand Staircase, Chase Open Studio, the Ann P. Wyckoff Education Resource Center, the Bullitt Library, and some family spaces.

Seattle Asian Art Museum: The McCaw Foundation Library.

Occasionally SAM needs to close galleries or limit access at our locations in order to install new exhibitions or rotate sensitive artworks. This isn’t something we like to do often but, when it happens, we hope you’ll bear with us because the result will be new art for you to enjoy.

SAM remains a mask friendly space. Visitors are encouraged to wear masks for their personal safety and comfort. We also ask visitors who are experiencing flu, cold, or other similar symptoms to visit another time.

An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public setting. SAM can’t guarantee you won’t be exposed to COVID-19 during your visit; by visiting SAM you accept this risk of exposure.

Wheelchairs and strollers are available upon request on a first come, first served basis, and will be cleaned after every use.

Check our calendar to see when tours are happening.

Visitors are welcome to stay as long as they want, until the close of the museum, once they have entered the galleries.

Benches and other seating are provided on each floor of the museum for your comfort.

SAM strives to be accessible for all visitors and provides a variety of support services to assist with your visit. More information can be found here. Service animals are the only animals welcome in the museum.

Report your lost article and we will let you know if it turns up.


GROUP VISITS

Yes! Discounted admission rates are available for groups of 10 people or more. Reservations are required. Learn more

Yes! There is no minimum number of people for a guided tour. The tour fee in our group rates section applies to groups of 1 to 20 people.

Group admission cannot be combined with other discounts, including reciprocal membership from other institutions.

Yes! We currently offer group dining packages at Seattle Art Museum, our downtown location.

For more information on group dining packages, please indicate your interest on the visit request form or email us at groupvisits@seattleartmuseum.org.

Group admission reservation required.

Groups are not recommended to visit on First Thursdays at Seattle Art Museum or Seattle Asian Art Museum. The galleries get very crowded which does not make for a good group experience.

If your only availability falls on a First Thursday, we can book a limited number of groups on a first-come, first-served basis, self-guided only. Please email us to inquire about availability.

If you have additional questions related to group visits, call us at 206.654.3210 or email us at groupvisits@seattleartmuseum.org.


Visitor Guidelines

Please view SAM's Visitor Guidelines here:

membership


GENERAL

All visitors need a ticket to visit SAM. You may secure your complimentary member tickets and purchase tickets for your guests online or onsite. Please note the following:

  • Online: Tickets are available here. Print your tickets at home, show your tickets on your phone, or pick up your tickets at Will Call before entering the galleries.

  • Onsite: Go to the ticketing desk and show your membership card or photo ID and our representatives will print out tickets for you.

Please note, guest passes and the 40% off discount on your guests can only be used onsite.

No! Your free member admission includes admission to special exhibitions.

If you purchased a membership online, you have a SAM account. On the log in page, click on "Forgot Password" to recover your password. Use the email used to purchase your membership to log into your account. If you purchased your membership onsite or by mail, please allow up to a week for your membership to be reflected on your online account.

Please contact the SAM Customer Service Center using the online form, by calling us at 206.654.3210, or emailing membership@seattleartmuseum.org if you:

  • Purchased your membership over a week ago and don’t see your membership reflected on your online account.

  • Would like to create a second login to access your joint membership account.

  • Don’t remember what email is attached to your account.

  • General online account issues.

Once logged in, you should see your current membership level and expiration date listed at the top of the page. Tickets will always appear as full price when you are selecting them. Make sure you are logged into your member account and your free member admission will reflect in your cart during checkout.

Patron, Friend, Fellow, and Contributor Circle members receive one-time use guest passes to share with friends and family, good for free admission. Guest passes are valid for the length of your current membership. Your paper guest passes will have been mailed to your address when you joined or renewed your membership. Two year members receive two years’ worth of guest passes, double the single year amount, at the beginning of their membership. You do not need to be present for guest passes to be used.

  • Patron: 4 guest passes

  • Friends and Fellows: 6 guest passes

  • Contributor Circles: 10 guest passes

All membership levels receive 40% off museum admission for a limited number of guests every visit. Members no longer receive $5 discount passes in the mail. Patron-level members and above are allowed to bring two guests for free each visit.

Patron-level members and above receive guest passes when you purchase or renew your membership. To redeem guest passes, the person using them should present them at the ticketing desk to exchange for tickets. You do not need to be present for your guest passes to be used. Please note, guest passes are separate from the member benefit of two free guests every time you visit SAM.

Yes, $5 discount passes will be accepted through December 31, 2023. Don’t forget, members get 40% off museum admission for a limited number of guests every visit!

Upon arriving at SAM, show your participating museum membership card with reciprocity designation for the Metropolitan Reciprocal Membership Program, the Western Reciprocal Membership Program, or other participating institution at the ticketing desk. Members of reciprocal institutions receive free admission to SAM for cardholders and up to two guests including special exhibitions, 10% discount at SAM Shop, and discounts on select program and lecture tickets. Reciprocal member tickets can only be reserved in-person at the ticketing desk to confirm reciprocal status. Check out this page for more information on reciprocal admission and participating museums.

SAM participates in the Metropolitan Reciprocal Membership Program and the Western Reciprocal Membership Program. We also have agreements with a handful of individual museums. Be sure to check the list of institutions participating in the reciprocal admission programs before visiting. We encourage you to contact the museums you are planning on visiting in advance to confirm reciprocal benefits.

Digital card holders: Present your active digital membership card and photo ID to participating organizations for free admission.

Plastic card holders: Present your active SAM membership card with reciprocal logo and photo ID to participating organizations for free admission. SAM no longer provides reciprocal stickers.

Yes! SAM members have exclusive access to Member Previews, Conversations with Curators, Member Appreciation Days, and more. Upcoming opportunities will always be announced in the bi-monthly Member Enews as well as appear in the Upcoming Member Events section on our website. Some events may allow you to bring a limited number of guests. Check individual events for more information on if guests are allowed and ticket pricing.

Membership benefits are nontransferable. Whether ordering your tickets online or picking them up at the desk, you will be required to present your active SAM membership card and photo ID along with your ticket before entering the galleries. The name on your ticket must match your photo ID or you will be denied entry. If your membership level includes guest passes, you may share those and do not need to be present for them to be used.

You can join SAM’s AutoRenewal program when you purchase a membership or renewal using a credit card on-site, by mail, or over the phone at 206.654.3210. The credit card you use will be automatically charged in the month your membership expires. Currently, you cannot opt into SAM’s AutoRenewal program when you purchase your membership or renew online.

To update your credit card information or to opt in/out of SAM’s AutoRenewal program, contact SAM’s Customer Service Center at 206.654.3210. Please do not email us your credit card information.

Memberships are revocable licenses issued subject to SAM’s visitor policies and this Ticketing & Membership policy. SAM reserves the right to terminate such licenses, and to refuse or revoke membership, refuse admission to SAM, and/or remove any person, without refund, whose conduct SAM deems inappropriate, who fails to comply with SAM’s rules, visitor policies, or this ticketing and membership policy, and/or who abuses member privileges.

Memberships are valid at all SAM locations. Memberships begin on the date of purchase. Membership cards and privileges are non-refundable and non-transferable. Membership cards and privileges are intended for noncommercial use by individual members and are valid only for the person(s) named on the membership account. Membership benefits may not be resold, exchanged, or refunded. Purchase of an annual membership does not entitle purchaser to renewal in a subsequent year.


Membership Cards

By default, all members will receive a digital membership card sent to the email address you provide. Digital membership cards function the same as physical membership cards. Simply show your digital membership card and photo ID to our staff at the Ticketing Desk, SAM Shops, or MARKET Seattle to take advantage of your member benefits! When you join or renew your membership, you can also indicate if you require a plastic membership card.

Digital membership cards will be sent to the email address used to purchase your membership. Open the email on your mobile device and follow the instructions to download the card to your smartphone wallet. Watch this video for step-by-step instructions on how to download your digital membership card to your smartphone wallet. We've also written the instructions for you here! Android users may need to install Wallet Passes from the Play Store prior to download.

If you don’t receive an email or you delete the email, please contact the SAM Customer Service Center using the online form, by calling us at 206.654.3210, or emailing membership@seattleartmuseum.org.

All members will receive an email with a link to their digital card. The email will only be sent to the primary member. You can forward the email or use the share feature of the wallet app to ensure that secondary cardholders receive their digital membership card.

For iPhone users:

  • Open your SAM membership card in the Wallet app. At the top right side of the screen, tap on the "..." icon and select Pass Details.

  • At the top right side of the screen, tap on the share icon (box with arrow pointing up) to send the card via text message or email to the secondary card holder. We recommend you use the Mail option.

For Android users:

  • Search for an "i" icon at the bottom of your card.

  • Once you tap on this icon, you will see a button that says "share pass". Tap on this button.

  • You will see sharing options like Mail, SMS, etc... Use one of those options to share your card. We recommend you use the Mail option.

Once downloaded, your digital cards will live in your smartphone's wallet.

Dual-level and higher memberships have the option of having two named members on their membership cards. If you do not have a second named member, the name on your card will appear as “Your Name and Guest”. You will receive a single digital card that can be used for you and a guest. If you also selected to receive a plastic card, you will only receive one card. Please remember that these can only be used when the primary named member is present.

Yes! You only need to download your card once. After your membership renewal has been fully processed and if automatic updates are turned on in your smart wallet app, your digital card will automatically update with your new expiration date and any name changes you requested. The settings in your phone’s wallet may need to be adjusted to allow for automatic updates. Please allow up to a week for processing.

You will only receive new digital cards if you change your membership level or upon request. If you need your digital card resent to you, please contact the SAM Customer Service Center using the online form, by calling us at 206.654.3210, or emailing membership@seattleartmuseum.org.

You can still visit the museum anytime by showing your photo ID at the Ticketing Desk to verify your membership status. If you need a replacement plastic (Patron-level or above only) or digital card, please contact the SAM Customer Service Center using the online form, by calling us at 206.654.3210, or emailing membership@seattleartmuseum.org.


GIFT MEMBERSHIPS

Online: Find the level that is right for your recipient and choose the "Gift" option. SAM members should use this page to receive 10% off your gift membership purchases.

Phone: Call us at 206.654.3210, open daily from 10 am to 5 pm.

Onsite: Stop by the ticketing desk at Seattle Art Museum or the Seattle Asian Art Museum and we will help you in person.

Please note, gift memberships take 2-3 weeks to process. Contact us at membership@seattleartmuseum.org to receive a digital membership welcome letter to gift to your recipient in the meantime.

SAM members should use this page to receive 10% off your gift membership purchases. You will need to be logged in to your member account to receive the discount. You can also purchase a gift membership with your discount onsite or over the phone at 206.654.3210.

Your recipient’s membership packet and membership card will be mailed to their address within three weeks of purchase. Currently, digital membership cards are not an option for gift membership purchases. Once the gift recipient has received their membership packet, they may request a digital card by contacting the SAM Customer Service Center using the online form, by calling us at 206.654.3210, or emailing membership@seattleartmuseum.org.

Contact us at membership@seattleartmuseum.org to receive a digital membership welcome letter to gift to your recipient.

Your membership packet with your card will be mailed to your address. You can still visit SAM before your packet arrives by presenting your photo ID and the name of the person who gifted you the membership at the ticketing desk.

Currently, digital membership cards are not automatically sent to gift membership recipients. Once you’ve received your membership packet in the mail, you may request a digital card by contacting the SAM Customer Service Center using the online form, by calling us at 206.654.3210, or emailing membership@seattleartmuseum.org.

Still have questions?
Contact the SAM Customer Service Center using the online form, calling us at 206.654.3210, or emailing membership@seattleartmuseum.org.

PLAN A venue experience

If your question is not listed below, please email us at venues@seattleartmuseum.org

Contact the Venue Experiences department by email or by phone at 206.654.3140. Space is available to reserve on a first-come, first-served basis up to 12 months in advance.

You are welcome to view the museum and PACCAR Pavilion public spaces any time during public hours. You do not need an escort and you’re not required to pay admission to preview the location for a future event. Please email us to double-check that the spaces you would like to view are not booked for an event during the time you want to visit.

We partner with Shooby Doo Catering to provide exclusive catering at all SAM locations. All food and beverage arrangements must be made directly with Shooby Doo Catering.

College dance events, auctions, and political events are not permitted at SAM. High school reunions and proms, however, are permitted.

The COLLECTION

Please take advantage of SAM's online collection. It provides access to the nearly 25,000 objects in our holdings. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please email us at research@seattleartmuseum.org.

See a selection of SAM's recent acquisitions or email us at collection@seattleartmuseum.org.

Please contact libraries@seattleartmuseum.org. If you need label text for an object not on view or you can’t find what you need with the libraries, please contact collection@seattleartmuseum.org.

For scholarly papers and other publications, the Image Rights Department can license images of artworks and historic images of exhibitions and events.

SAM curatorial staff cannot offer such services. Electronic resources for appraisal, authentication, identification, and research have been identified by the library staff for public use.

The Seattle Art Museum does not accept unsolicited submissions of art except through the annual Betty Bowen Award.

If you are a collector who would like to offer works of art from your collection to the museum, please follow the guidelines below.

  • Please provide us with as much information as possible about the work, including artist, date, medium, size, and provenance information (history of ownership).

  • Please include an image of the work of art (or multiple images, if offering multiple works).

  • Please state explicitly if you are offering these works for loan (temporarily sharing them with the museum for display), for sale (please include your asking price and date by which you need a decision), or for donation.

  • Please note that the museum cannot identify, authenticate, or appraise your collection.

  • Send your material to the Seattle Art Museum Curatorial Department via email, or to 1300 First Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101. Please note that the museum cannot return materials sent by mail.

Please note: The process of reviewing your images may take several weeks. It may not be possible to reply to every submission. We cannot make studio visits, see the work in person, or make visits to private collections during the initial phase of the review. If there is sufficient interest from a curator, we will contact you about any further steps.

LIBRARIES

If your question is not listed below, please email us at libraries@seattleartmuseum.org

The Seattle Art Museum has three libraries. Two research libraries: the Dorothy Stimson Bullitt Library (Seattle Art Museum) and the McCaw Foundation Library (Seattle Asian Art Museum), and a lending library for educators: the Ann P. Wyckoff Education Resource Center (Seattle Art Museum). The research libraries’ combined collection is over 45,000 volumes. The Ann P. Wyckoff Education Resource Center has over 4,000 resources.

Yes, please view hours and visit information here. Appointments can be made for either library via email.

The Ann P. Wyckoff Education Resource Center (ERC) is also closed until further notice.

Most of the services we provide are free. Occasionally, there are very minimal charges. Patrons are assessed a fee of $0.10 per page for photocopies after the first 10 pages. Additionally, patrons must pay fees for postage (if applicable) and any other charges incurred by library staff on behalf of the patron. The majority of research requests cost less than $5.

When possible, library staff can help you find helpful information about an object. We can also provide contact information for appraisal organizations that can appraise, authenticate, or positively identify art.

PLAN A venue experience

​How do I check for availability or reserve an event space?
Contact the Venue Experiences department by email or by phone at 206.654.3140. Space is available to reserve on a first-come, first-served basis up to 12 months in advance.

Can I stop by to view SAM spaces, and do I need to be escorted?
You are welcome to view the museum and PACCAR Pavilion public spaces any time during public hours. You do not need an escort and you’re not required to pay admission to preview the location for a future event. It’s a good idea to contact the Venue Experiences department to double-check that the spaces you would like to view are not booked for an event during the time you want to visit.

Can I bring in an outside caterer for my event?
We partner with Shooby Doo Catering to provide exclusive catering at all SAM locations. All food and beverage arrangements must be made directly with Shooby Doo Catering.

What types of events are not allowed at SAM?
College dance events, auctions, and political events are not permitted at SAM. High school reunions and proms, however, are permitted.

If your question is not listed above, please email us at venues@seattleartmuseum.org.​

PLAN YOUR VISIT

COVID-19 RESPONSE

Do I have to wear a mask?
Masks are no longer required to enter the museum, but visitors are encouraged to wear them for their personal safety and comfort. 

SAM is offering a mask-required hour in the galleries for visitors that prefer to wear masks and be around others wearing masks. Initially slated to run through July, we’ve extended this and will continue to offer these the third Saturday of the month from 9–10 am through October at Seattle Art Museum and Seattle Asian Art Museum. Upcoming mask required dates are: July 16, Aug. 20, Sep. 17, and Oct. 15. We will determine whether to extend the mask required hour beyond these dates based on the trajectory of COVID-19 and if there is continued demand for this additional hour. Online advance purchase is recommended.

Do I need to check my belongings?
Backpacks, large bags, or items larger than 11″ x 15″ are not allowed in the galleries and must be checked. Coat check is free at Seattle Art Museum, and Seattle Asian Art Museum has a free self-check, so please plan accordingly.

Do I need to show proof of vaccination?
The vaccine verification requirement to enter the museum is no longer in effect per the latest guidance from Public Health—Seattle & King County. Safety protocols change and evolve rapidly, please refer to What to Know When You Visit SAM for the most up-to-date information.

Are there physical distancing guidelines?
Physical distancing is recommended. Please pay attention to physical distance between you and other visitors and staff. Keep your group together and remain six feet away from others.

Do I need to get tickets in advance?
Save $3 when you purchase tickets online at least one day in advance of your visit. Admission increases if you wait until the day of your visit to purchase tickets online or onsite. General Admission and Special Exhibition tickets are released online the first Thursday of every month on a rolling basis.

Is there a time limit for visits?
Visitors are welcome to stay as long as they want once they have entered the galleries. 

Have the entrances and exits changed?
Yes. At the Seattle Art Museum, only the First and Union entrance will be open. The south entrance (the Hammering Man entrance) and the South Hall are closed. At the Seattle Asian Art Museum, please follow the one-way traffic signs at the entrance.

Will parts of the museum be closed?
Seattle Art Museum: The entire south wing of the museum will be closed, including South Hall and South Hall restrooms, the Grand Staircase, the Chase Open Studio and the Ann P. Wyckoff Education Resource Center. The Bullitt Library, and children play areas will also be closed.
Seattle Asian Art Museum: The Education Studio, Community Gallery, Chen Community Meeting Room, and the McCaw Foundation Library will be closed.

Will the SAM Shop be open?
The Seattle Art Museum Shop and Gallery and Seattle Asian Art Museum Shop are open. 

Will MARKET SEATTLE be open?
Seattle Art Museum's new restaurant, MARKET SEATTLE, is now open. For information on hours and menu selections, please visit their website.

What sanitation protocols are in place?
Enhanced cleaning of high-touch surfaces will be conducted throughout the day; hand-sanitizer units are stationed throughout the building. All high-touch interactives have been converted to no-touch or removed from the galleries.

Will coat check be available?
Yes, coat check is now available.

Will wheelchairs and strollers be available?
Wheelchairs and strollers are available upon request on a first come first served basis, and will be cleaned after every use.

Will there be gallery tours?
No tours will be offered at this time. Group tours or school tours will not be permitted at this time.

Where can I find information for SAM members?
Frequently asked questions specifically related to SAM members can be found here.

ADMISSION POLICIES

What does "suggested admission" mean?
Suggested admission means visitors may choose to pay anything from a penny to $19.99 for general admission when they purchase tickets. General admission includes access to Collections and Installations at Seattle Art Museum and is suggested. Suggested admission tickets do not include entry to special exhibitions which have fixed pricing. Suggested admission is not currently available online. Please call SAM’s Customer Service Center at 206.654.3210 seven days a week, 10 am–5 pm, to pay what you wish for tickets.

Are there any discounts for admission?
Yes! Below are discounts that are always available at the Seattle Art Museum and the Seattle Asian Art Museum, as well as discounts available for visiting special exhibitions.

  • Purchase tickets in advance to save $3 on admission! Admission prices increase if you wait until the day of your visit to purchase tickets.

  • SAM offers suggested admission pricing for general admission tickets to SAM's Collections & Installations (special exhibitions excluded) and the Seattle Asian Art Museum. We are currently unable to process suggested pricing online, please call the Customer Service Center to secure a ticket for a suggested donation.

  • SAM provides discounted rates for students, teens, seniors, and military with ID.

  • SAM members and children (14 & under) are free.

  • The First Thursday of every month admission to the Seattle Art Museum is free.

  • The First Friday of every month seniors get free general admission to the Seattle Art Museum. Tickets to special exhibitions downtown are an additional $7.99.

  • The last Friday of every month admission to the Seattle Asian Art Museum is free.

  • Admission to the Olympic Sculpture Park is always free!

Visiting special exhibitions

  • Free and discounted passes can be requested by individuals, families, or groups, especially those for whom the cost of a ticket is prohibitive, and groups who have been historically excluded from the museum space due to systematic oppression.

  • Some of our programs include free admission to our special exhibitions on the day of the event. Keep an eye on exhibition related events.

What is First Thursday?
On the first Thursday of each month, the Seattle Art Museum offers free admission to all exhibitions for all visitors.

ONLINE PURCHASES

Do I need to purchase a ticket online?
Tickets are available both online and onsite, but purchasing your ticket online in advance saves you $3! Tickets to the Special Exhibition are timed and limited, and online advance purchase is recommended to ensure availability. Tickets are released online on a monthly rolling basis.

How can I pay what I want for advance tickets online?
Suggested admission is not currently available online, but you can use the Customer Service Center online form to get tickets in advance or call SAM’s Customer Service Center, 206.654.3210, 10 am–5 pm, Monday through Friday, to pay what you want for tickets.

What if I do not already have an online account?
If you do not have an account already, you will be prompted to create an account with a login and password in order to check out online.

What do I do if I lost my print-at-home tickets?
Please contact SAM’s Customer Service Center through our online form to request your print-at-home tickets be sent to you via email.

What do I do if I didn’t receive a confirmation email?
Please start by checking your email account’s junk mail folder. Be sure to have your email account set up to receive emails sent from boxoffice@seattleartmuseum.org before you purchase additional tickets. You can also log in to to your SAM account and confirm your purchase under Purchase History.

Gallery Policies

Can I take photos?
Non-flash photography is permitted in most areas of the museum for personal, noncommercial use, with the following restrictions

  • No tripods or selfie sticks

  • No flash photography

  • No filming or recording        

For press and other special photography, including filming and video projects, please contact SAM Public Relations. For images of artworks owned by SAM, please see Image Rights.

SAM reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to withhold or withdraw permission to photograph on its premises or to reproduce images of objects in its collection.

Photography is prohibited of artwork with this symbol:

no photography image

Can I sketch in the galleries?
Sketching with pencil and charcoal is permitted in all galleries of the museum devoted to SAM’s collection. The use of ink, fountain pens, or watercolors is prohibited.

Is there seating in the galleries?
Benches and other seating are provided on each floor of the museum for your comfort.

What accommodations does SAM offer to make the museum accessible to all?
SAM strives to be accessible for all visitors and provides a variety of support services to assist with your visit. More information can be found here. Service animals are the only animals welcome in the museum.

What do I do if I lost something at the museum?
Report your lost article and we will let you know if it turns up.

The COLLECTION

How can I find out if a specific object or type of object is in SAM's collection?
Please take advantage of eMuseum, SAM's online collection system. It provides access to the nearly 25,000 objects in our holdings. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please email us at collection@seattleartmuseum.org.

Where can I find information about recent acquisitions?
See a selection of SAM's recent acquisitions or email us at collection@seattleartmuseum.org.

How can I get a copy of a label I saw in the galleries?
Please contact libraries@seattleartmuseum.org. If you need label text for an object not on view or you can’t find what you need with the libraries, please contact collection@seattleartmuseum.org.

How can I get an image of something I saw at your locations?
For scholarly papers and other publications, the Image Rights Department can license images of artworks and historic images of exhibitions and events.

How can I learn more about an artwork in my own collection?
SAM curatorial staff cannot offer such services. Electronic resources for appraisal, authentication, identification, and research have been identified by the library staff for public use.

How can artists get their work exhibited at one of SAM's locations?
The Seattle Art Museum does not accept unsolicited submissions of art except through the annual Betty Bowen Award.

How can I donate, sell, or lend artwork to the museum?
If you are a collector who would like to offer works of art from your collection to the museum, please follow the guidelines below.

  • Please provide us with as much information as possible about the work, including artist, date, medium, size, and provenance information (history of ownership).

  • Please include an image of the work of art (or multiple images, if offering multiple works).

  • Please state explicitly if you are offering these works for loan (temporarily sharing them with the museum for display), for sale (please include your asking price and date by which you need a decision), or for donation.

  • Please note that the museum cannot identify, authenticate, or appraise your collection.

  • Send your material to the Seattle Art Museum Curatorial Department via email, or to 1300 First Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101. Please note that the museum cannot return materials sent by mail.

Additional Information

  • The process of reviewing your images may take several weeks. It may not be possible to reply to every submission.

  • We cannot make studio visits, see the work in person, or make visits to private collections during the initial phase of the review. If there is sufficient interest from a curator, we will contact you about any further steps.

LIBRARIES

Where can I find more information about the libraries at SAM?
The Seattle Art Museum has three libraries. Two research libraries: the Dorothy Stimson Bullitt Library (SAM downtown) and the McCaw Foundation Library (Asian Art Museum), and a lending library for educators: the Ann P. Wyckoff Education Resource Center (SAM downtown). The research libraries’ combined collection is over 45,000 volumes. The Ann P. Wyckoff Education Resource Center has over 4,000 resources.

Are the SAM Libraries open to the public?
At this time SAM’s libraries are closed. Typically the Dorothy Stimson Bullitt Library and McCaw Foundation Library are open to the public by appointment only. Materials must be used in the library reading rooms. Appointments can be set for either library by emailing libraries@seattleartmuseum.org.

The Ann P. Wyckoff Education Resource Center (ERC) is also closed until further notice.

Do library services carry a fee?
Most of the services we provide are free. Occasionally, there are very minimal charges. Patrons are assessed a fee of $0.10 per page for photocopies after the first 10 pages. Additionally, patrons must pay fees for postage (if applicable) and any other charges incurred by library staff on behalf of the patron. The majority of research requests cost less than $5.

Can the library authenticate or identify an object for me? If not, where should I go?
When possible, library staff can help you find helpful information about an object. We can also provide contact information for appraisal organizations that can appraise, authenticate, or positively identify art.

If your question is not listed above, please email us at libraries@seattleartmuseum.org.​​​​​​​

Watch this video for step-by-step instructions on how to download your digital membership card to your smartphone wallet. We've also written the instructions for you here!

How do I access my digital cards?
Digital membership cards will be sent to the primary email address of every active member. Open the email on your mobile device and follow the instructions to download the card to your smartphone wallet. Android users may need to install Wallet Passes from the Play Store prior to download.

If you don’t receive an email or you delete the email, please contact us at membership@seattleartmuseum.org or 206.654.3210 for a new email with link.

Where can I find my digital cards?
Once downloaded, your digital cards will live in your smartphone's wallet.

I have a Dual/Family/Patron/Friend/Fellow Membership or higher, where is my second member card?
This depends on how your record is set up in our system. If we have one email address associated with your membership, you will recieve one email with both membership cards. Once downloaded you will see two membership cards in your digital wallet. Members can then forward the email or use the share feature of the wallet app to ensure that secondary cardholders receive their digital membership card. If we have two email addresses associated with your membership, both members will receive an email with links to their own membership cards.

My second card is a "Guest of" card. How does this work?
Dual/Family/Patron memberships have the option of having one named member card and a flexible 'Guest of' card allowing the primary member to bring a different person with them when they visit. If you have selected your second card to be a 'Guest of' card you will receive a single digital card that can be used for you and a guest. Please remember that these can only be used when the primary named member is present. Learn more about guest privileges at the Premier levels.

What about my discount/guest passes?
Unfortunately, at this time we do not have a way of accessing your discounted/guest passes through your digital card. You will continue to receive paper guest passes mailed to your address. You will be required to present these paper passes at the Ticketing Desk in order to redeem them.

I’m a Premier Member. How can I use my reciprocal benefits without a plastic card and reciprocal sticker?
We have contacted all partnering institutions and have informed them of our new digital card system. Simply show your digital membership card and ID at participating museums to receive free or reduced admission.

Will my digital card update when I renew my membership?
Yes! You only need to download your card once. After your membership has been fully processed your digital card will automatically update with your new expiration date, and any name changes you request. Please allow up to two weeks for processing. 

When will you send me new digital cards?
If you upgrade or downgrade your membership or upon request.

Now that I have my digital membership card how do I use it?
Digital cards function just like plastic membership cards. Please present your digital card and photo ID to the Ticketing Desk to pick up your free member tickets and enjoy the museum!

What if I prefer a plastic membership card?
By default, all members will now receive a digital membership card sent to the email address you provide. If you prefer to receive a plastic membership card instead, please contact us at 206.654.3210. You can also indicate your preference to receive a plastic membership card as you join or renew your membership onsite, online, or through the mail.

Can I keep using my plastic card?
Yes! You may continue to use existing membership cards and/or request plastic cards when you renew your membership. Look for the check box on your paper membership form. You may also contact us if you would like to receive a plastic card at membership@seattleartmuseum.org.

What if I lose/delete my membership card or it hasn’t arrived yet?

You can visit the museum anytime by showing your photo ID at the Ticketing Desk to verify your membership status. You can also verify your membership status by logging into your online account. If you need a replacement card, plastic or digital please contact the SAM Customer Service Center using the online form.

I don’t want a plastic or digital card
That’s okay! We can always look you up at the Ticketing Desk. Please just present your photo ID to verify your membership status.

Can someone else use my membership card?
Membership benefits are nontransferable. Whether ordering your tickets online or picking them up at the desk, you will be required to present your active SAM membership card and photo ID along with your ticket before entering the galleries. The name on your ticket must match your photo ID or you will be denied entry.

I bought a gift membership. Will the recipient get a digital card?
Currently, digital membership cards are not an option for gift membership purchases. Once the gift recipient has received their membership packet they may request a digital card by contacting the membership office.

Still have questions?
Need help downloading your card? Updating your account information? Give our Customer Service Center a call at 206.654.3210.

membership

REOPENING INFORMATION

I’m a member, do I need to reserve my tickets in advance?
A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase at the museum. Tickets to the special exhibition are timed and limited, and online advance purchase is recommended. 

How do I access my member tickets online?
Tickets are available here. If it is your first time accessing tickets, you will need to create a password to access your online member account. After entering the email associated with your previous online member account, you will need to click on “Forgot Password” to complete your account profile and establish a new password. You will receive an email that should prompt you to do so. Once you update your password, you will be able to get tickets online, renew or purchase memberships, and make donations.

How do I log in to my account?
If you have ever purchased or reserved tickets on SAM’s website, you have an account in our system with assigned login information. Click on "Forgot Password" here to recover your user ID and/or password. If you have never used the site to purchase or reserve tickets, go here and click on "Register Account" to set up your account with your Member ID number.

Accounts are set up with only one user ID and password per membership (e.g. a family of four with a Family membership has only one user ID and password for their account). If another person under your membership has set up an account, you will need their login information to access your membership account online. If you would like to create a second login to access your joint membership account, please contact our Customer Service Center at 206.654.3210.

I’m logged in as a member but I only see general admission tickets. Where are my member tickets?
If you are a SAM member, be sure to log in to see your member benefit pricing reflected in your cart.

Can I use my Guest Passes?
Yes, we have resumed accepting Guest Passes on-site.

I’m a reciprocal member, can I get member tickets?
Yes, we have resumed reciprocal member privileges. Please be prepared to show your participating museum membership card with reciprocity designation at the ticketing desk. Reciprocal member tickets are not available online.

May I join or renew on site?
Yes, but we strongly encourage you to do so online through SAM’s website, by mail, or by calling the Customer Service Center to limit contact between staff and visitors at the museum.

Will you be scanning physical and digital member cards?
For the time being we will not be scanning cards to limit contact.

General Information

I’m a SAM member, do I need a ticket to come to SAM? How do I get one?
All visitors need a ticket to visit SAM. You may secure your complimentary member tickets and purchase tickets for your guests online or onsite. Please note the following:

  • Online: Print your tickets at home, show your tickets on your phone, or pick up your tickets at Will Call before entering the galleries. Activate your online membership account by registering using your membership ID number (found on your card) and your zip code. If you need assistance, contact membership@seattleartmuseum.org or 206.654.3210.

  • On site: A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase at the museum.

As a reminder, membership benefits are non-transferable.

Are there special viewing opportunities for members?
Yes! We provide SAM members with special opportunities to enjoy the museum. SAM members and their guests have exclusive access to our special exhibitions during Member Previews and special Member Monday Days. Guests of members will be asked to pay regular admission price for the exhibition.

Can I give my card to someone else to use?
Your membership card and benefits are nontransferable. They are valid only for the person(s) named on the membership account.

DIGITAL MEMBERSHIP CARDS

SAM now issues digital memberships cards unless a plastic card is requested. Please remember, member benefits are non-transferable. ID will be required when presenting both digital and plastic membership cards.

How do I use my digital membership card?
Your digital membership card is unique to your membership and displays your name, membership level, expiration date, and a barcode for us to scan. Simply show your digital membership card and photo ID to our staff at the Ticketing Desk, SAM Shops, or MARKET Seattle to take advantage of your member benefits!

How do I download my digital membership card to my iPhone or Android phone?


Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.

Learn more about Equity at SAM