We’re here to help. Click through the sections below for 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.

Tickets

Should I order my tickets in advance?
We recommend you reserve your complimentary tickets in advance in order to guarantee entry. Due to the unique nature of Yves Saint Laurent, we expect days and timeslots (when applicable) to sell out.

Is my ticket valid all day? Am I able to leave and return?
At SAM downtown, your ticket allows you all-day access to the SAM Collections and Installations. Access to Yves Saint Laurent is limited to one entry per ticket.

Are there any discounts for admission?
SAM members always enjoy free admission to all galleries, including special exhibitions.
Sorry, no coupons will be accepted for Yves Saint Laurent, including Entertainment Book or Chinook Book.
FLASH Card or Gold Card holders are eligible for a reduced price admission ticket of $5.
Seattle Public Library has a limited number of free tickets available for check out.
SAM offers a limited number of free and discounted tickets to underserved communities.

I’m a SAM member. How do I get my free tickets?

• Reserve online in advance: To ensure your preferred day and time for visiting, we encourage you to order your complimentary tickets online in advance of your visit. Print your tickets at home or show your phone to bypass the Ticketing Desk and head straight into the galleries. Activate your online membership account 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.

• Purchase in person: During museum hours present your active membership card and photo ID at the member tickets/services counter to secure your tickets. You may also purchase tickets for your guests at this time. SAM has a limited number of tickets available onsite every day. And because we love our members you receive priority entry through the Member Services Ticket counter, but there is a chance tickets may sell out for your preferred timeslot.

Are there special viewing opportunities for Members?
Yes! We provide SAM members with special opportunities to enjoy the exhibition with limited gallery capacity to help ensure an enjoyable experience.

Member Preview Weekend
October 8 and 9

Member Tuesdays
November 22, December 13, and December 20

Can I use my member guest passes for Yves Saint Laurent?
Individual/Dual/Family level members may use their onetime-use guest passes for $5 off special exhibition tickets to Yves Saint Laurent. Premier level or higher members may use their Premier or Contributors Circles guest passes for free admission to the special exhibition. All guest passes must be filled out and redeemed onsite.

Tours

There will be no public tours of Yves Saint Laurent due to the unique and immersive nature of the gallery installation.

Gallery Policies for Yves Saint Laurent

Can I take photos?
Non-flash photography is allowed inside the exhibition. Video recording and tripods/selfie sticks are prohibited. Please share your photos social media with #SAMYSL

Can I use my cell phone?
Yves Saint Laurent does not include a cell phone audio guide. We ask that you silence your cell phone while in the galleries. Cell phones may be used in the Brotman Forum and South Hall, as well as in SAM Shops and TASTE Café.

Can I bring a stroller or wheelchair into the exhibition? Wheelchairs and single-wide strollers are allowed into the exhibition. Single strollers and wheelchairs are available at coat check to loan in exchange for you ID. Sorry, no reservations are accepted for these items.

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. Log in or recover your password. If you have never used the site to purchase or reserve tickets, even if you are a member, you will need to set up your account with your Member ID number. Set up your account.

Please note there can be 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 the site under your membership.

What if I’ve lost 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. If you need a replacement card, please contact the SAM Customer Service Center using the online form.

• New members: Your permanent membership card will arrive in 10–15 business days.

• Renewing members: Please continue to use your existing membership card. Your card will be electronically updated within 24 hours of your online renewal. You will receive new expiration date stickers, to be used on your existing cards, in 10–15 business days.

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 asked to present your active SAM membership card and photo ID.

I’m a reciprocal museum member. Do I get free admission?
The Seattle Art Museum participates in two reciprocity programs. Tickets for reciprocal members are only available onsite. View the complete list of reciprocal membership participants. Here's what you can expect when visiting the Seattle Art Museum

• Free admission for cardholders and up to two guests

• Free admission to special exhibitions

• 10% discount at SAM Shop and TASTE Café

• Discounts on films, concerts, and lecture tickets (Discounts for additional events will be given at the museum's discretion and may not apply to all SAM events)

Please present your active membership card with the appropriate reciprocal stickers to SAM’s Ticketing Desk to secure your ticket. Since you are a member of a different museum, we do not have access to your membership account and are unable to verify your membership status. We will be unable to provide you with reciprocal benefits, including free admission, if you do not have this information at time of purchase.

What if I’m an employee of a SAM corporate member?
Employees of SAM corporate members are eligible for member tickets to exhibitions and events. Visit the Ticketing Desk with one of your company’s membership cards and your company badge or reserve in advance via the corporate pass request. Clients, friends, and family are asked to pay standard admission prices.

Visit our Families page for more information about our kid-friendly spaces and family programs.

The Seattle Art Museum reserves the right to prohibit strollers in the galleries on high-volume days when galleries approach or reach capacity.

Can I sketch in the galleries?
Sketching with pencil, pastel, 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?
SSAM strives to be accessible for all visitors and provides a variety of support services to assist with your visit. More information can be found on our Accessibility page.
Service animals are the only animals welcome in the museum.

Do you accommodate other languages on your tours?
American Sign Language is available for all public tours upon request with four weeks notice. Please email us, call 206.654.3137 (TTY), or 206.654.3123 (voice) for more information. Printed copies of the current audio tour may be available at the Ticketing Desk.
All printed materials are only available in English at this time.

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.

PLAN AN EVENT AT SAM

​How do I check for availability or reserve an event space?
Contact the Facilities Marketing Manager 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 Facilities Marketing Manager 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 TASTE Events to provide exclusive catering at all SAM locations. All food and beverage arrangements must be made directly with TASTE Events.

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 facilities@seattleartmuseum.org.​

How can I find out if a specific object or type of object is in the SAM 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 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 on view at SAM?
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 re​sources​ 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?
Please see the Art Submission Guidelines for complete details.​​​​​​​​​

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 Teacher Resource Center (Asian Art Museum). The research libraries’ combined collection is over 45,000 volumes. The Ann P. Wyckoff Teacher Resource Center has over 4,000 resources.

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.

Are the SAM Libraries open to the public?
SAM’s Libraries are open to the public and one does not need to pay museum admission to access them. Materials must be used in the library reading rooms. The Ann P. Wyckoff Teacher Resource Center(TRC) is also open to the public and educators may borrow materials.

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.

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