Seattle • Museum
Seattle Art Museum
Located in downtown Seattle, SAM is the city's premier fine arts museum. Its expansive collection spans thousands of years, featuring notable works in Native American, African, Oceanic, Asian, and modern contemporary art.
Overview
Located in downtown Seattle, SAM is the city's premier fine arts museum. Its expansive collection spans thousands of years, featuring notable works in Native American, African, Oceanic, Asian, and modern contemporary art.
Highlights
- Hammering Man: The iconic 48-foot-tall kinetic sculpture by Jonathan Borofsky guarding the entrance.
- Native American Art: One of the most comprehensive collections of Coast Salish and regional indigenous art in the world.
- Porcelain Room: An incredibly dense, floor-to-ceiling display of European porcelain mastery.
History
The museum originated in Volunteer Park in 1933 but moved its main collection to this Robert Venturi-designed downtown facility in 1991, which was expanded in 2007.
Visitor Tips
- Free Entry: General admission is usually free on the first Thursday of every month.
- Guided Tours: Take advantage of the free daily tours that provide deep context on specific collections.
- Duration: 2–3 hours.