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Careers

Do what you love

Career opportunities at SAM are a chance to enrich and develop your love of the arts while contributing your unique skills and talents to our mission.

Join the team

SAM offers employment across a variety of different professional fields. Interested and experienced in one or more of the career fields below? We'd love to see you apply. Check out our current open roles, or join our talent pool for future opportunities.

Art handling, conservation and collections care, coordination and administration, curatorial, educational programming and public education, event planning, exhibition planning, exhibition design, development and fundraising, facilities, finance and accounting, legal affairs, marketing and communications, operations, people and culture, registrarial, retail, security, technology, visitor experience.

Celebrating difference

At SAM, our members, visitors, and local community come from all walks of life, and so do our employees, volunteers, and interns. The plurality of our identities and experiences strengthens our mission: connecting art to life. To be responsive to a multitude of cultural contexts and lived experiences, our Strategic Plan addresses the role art plays in empowering and elevating social justice movements and promoting structural change toward greater equity. SAM is dedicated to racial equity in the workplace because we know that people of color are the most impacted when it comes to both historical and present inequities. We know that equity is not a singular fixed destination, it’s ongoing reckoning. As SAM continually strives to be a more inclusive and equitable workplace, we are particularly interested in engaging with those who have been historically underrepresented in the museum field. We are dedicated to building a diverse workplace, and a sense of belonging for each and every employee, because we know our organization is at its best when we celebrate difference.

What we stand for

About SAM

​​The leading visual arts institution in the Pacific Northwest, SAM shares its 25,000+ object collection, from more than 140 cultures, through exhibitions, installations, and educational programs across its three locations—the Seattle Art Museum in downtown Seattle, the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park, and the Olympic Sculpture Park on the Seattle waterfront. Our dynamic institution couldn't do what it does without our talented community: 365 employees, 10 executive leaders, and over 200 volunteers.

Mission

The Seattle Art Museum connects art to life. Through the transformative power of art, SAM ignites creativity, builds connections, and strengthens community. Across three unique locations, we share global collections, groundbreaking exhibitions, and dynamic programs that engage, educate, and inspire people of all ages and backgrounds.

Vision

Be the museum for all of Seattle—a bold, inclusive leader in creativity and connection, bringing people together through the transformative power of art.

Values

Belonging
We create a welcoming, hospitable, and inclusive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and connected. Through art and shared experiences, we foster a sense of home for all communities and colleagues, ensuring every voice has a place in our museum.

Joy
We celebrate the power of art to spark wonder, delight, and inspiration. Through vibrant experiences and meaningful connections, we cultivate an environment where creativity and curiosity bring joy to all who walk through our doors.

Curiosity
We value learning, creativity, and the investigation of ideas as vital, life-long pursuits. We advocate for inquiry, debate, play, experimentation, and collaboration in all our activities, programs, 
and practices.

Generosity
We share our resources, knowledge, and ideas openly, fostering a culture of giving, collaboration, and mutual support. Through our art, programs, donors, and community partnerships, we strive to enrich lives and inspire a spirit of generosity in others.

Integrity
We uphold the highest standards of honesty, accountability, and leadership in all that we do. We are committed to ethical stewardship, authentic storytelling, and building trust with our community and each other, through actions that align with our values.

Innovation
We embrace bold ideas, challenge the status quo, and take creative risks to inspire change. Through fearless storytelling and impactful experiences, we push boundaries and advocate for a more connected, meaningful, and inclusive future.

Internships

Interns collaborate on projects relevant to their career goals with visible impact on the museum’s programs, exhibitions, community partnerships, and more.

Volunteers

From advising to visitor engagement, volunteer roles support the museum’s mission and have an impact on all that SAM does.

Docents

SAM Docents build on their passion for art and their knowledge of art history to support gallery tours for a wide range of audiences.

Equity & Accessibility

We are committed to reducing barriers in order to facilitate art experiences for all.