Planning Your Visit
Olympic Sculpture Park
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Planning Your Visit

 

What are the hours, prices, parking, locations and directions for SAM Downtown, the Seattle Asian Art Museum and/or the Olympic Sculpture Park?

Visitor information is located on the following pages:


What does “suggested donation” mean?

Suggested donation means that you can pay any amount and we will accommodate you with a ticket to view our collections. (Note: The suggested donation does not apply to special exhibitions.) The museum only receives 4% of its funding from the government; the rest of our operating costs are covered by ticket fees and our membership base. The price of your ticket helps us offer activities and programs for youth, adults and families and to bring exciting exhibitions to the Northwest region—helping us fulfill our mission of connecting art to life.


Can I purchase advance tickets for the special exhibition?

You can purchase advance tickets either online or on site at all three SAM locations. Sorry, but we cannot sell tickets over the phone. For answers to other questions regarding online tickets please visit the online ticketing frequently asked questions page.


What forms of payment does SAM accept?

SAM accepts personal checks, traveler's checks, and Visa, MasterCard and American Express.


What are the admission discounts? When/how can I use the discounts?

At SAM Downtown, students with ID can purchase tickets at the discounted rate of $11, and seniors (people 62 and over) can purchase tickets for $15. This ticket will provide the same access to the permanent collection as a regular adult ticket. Special exhibitions may carry a surcharge beyond the permanent collection admission price. Discounted special exhibition pricing for students and seniors is available and varies by show.

At the Seattle Asian Art Museum, students with ID and seniors (people 62 and over) can purchase tickets at the discounted rate of $5.

Admission at the Olympic Sculpture Park is always free!


Can I purchase a gift certificate to SAM?

SAM gift certificates for any denomination are available at the Ticketing Desk and are only redeemable for museum admission or membership.

Costco gift cards are redeemable online. Choose the “Apply SAM gift card” button for your payment and enter the gift card number. We currently cannot redeem other gift certificates, coupons or discounts online. We are sorry for the inconvenience. You may redeem them on site at the Ticketing Desk.

Contact the SAM Box Office for more information. Learn more about:



Is there a discount on admission if I bring a group?

Groups of 10 or more get a discount if they reserve tickets at least two weeks in advance. Please visit our group visits page for more information.

Please note:

  • There is an additional docent tour fee for groups requesting a docent-led tour at any of our sites.
  • You will need at least 10 people to receive a discount or to book a private docent-led tour. Adult groups with fewer than 10 people are not booked as groups and must pay regular admission fees.
  • Additional admission fees may apply to special exhibitions.

How do I book a group visit?

Please reserve tickets at least two weeks in advance. Call 206.344.5260 or email groups@seattleartmuseum.org. If you're interested in your group taking a tour as well, please read our group tour FAQ.

What amenities are available for visitors with disabilities?

Museum facilities are wheelchair accessible and we offer a variety of services for the visually and hearing impaired. More information is located on the following pages:

Please note: Service animals are the only animals welcome in the museums.

Does SAM have any suggestions for the best way to bring children to the museum?

  • SAM provides complimentary strollers or baby front pack carriers at the SAM Downtown coat check. All back carriers and oversized strollers must be checked at the coat check.
  • We request that all toys, balls or similar items that may preclude others from enjoying the museum be left at home or checked at coat check.
  • Be sure to visit our kid-friendly spaces (download a gallery map PDF): the Chase Open Studio, the Knudsen Family Room, the Li Jin Interactive Scroll, and the Rainier Lobby Niche at the top of the Art Ladder. Or visit us for Family Fun (the second Saturday of select months), Free First Saturdays (at the Seattle Asian Art Museum) and look for Family Day opening weekend celebrations.


Does SAM have a coat check?

SAM provides complimentary coat check at all three locations. The museum requires visitors to check the following items:

  • Backpacks of any size
  • Shopping bags
  • Briefcases
  • Umbrellas
  • Waist-length jackets and similar styles must be worn or checked. They cannot be carried in the museum.
  • Any other bags or items that are greater than 11 x 15 inches.

Visitors wishing to avoid a lengthy wait in the coat check line should not bring these items to the museum.

Please note: Other items that are not specifically identified or listed but that are determined to be unsafe, present a security risk or preclude others from enjoying the museum should be checked or are best left at home. Some items of a suspicious or dangerous nature may be restricted even if they are smaller than the maximum size. All bags are subject to security inspection before entering or leaving the museum.


Is it all right to bring a water bottle into the galleries?

Food and drink of any kind (including water bottles) are prohibited in the galleries.

Can I bring my camera to SAM?

SAM allows photography in most areas. Feel free to photograph friends and family and your favorite works of art, but please do not photograph any work with this symbol:

No photography

A select number of galleries, including the Simonyi Special Exhibition Galleries, include this notice, which means that photography is not allowed in those galleries.

Please note that photography is allowed only for personal, noncommercial use, with the following restrictions:

  • No tripods
  • No flash photography
  • No movie or video cameras


For press and other special photography, including filming and videotape projects, please contact the SAM Public Relations office at pr@seattleartmuseum.org. For images of works of art owned by SAM, please see Image Rights and Reproductions.

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

Is it all right to use my cell phone in the museum?

Some special exhibitions at SAM Downtown feature a cell phone audio tour that lets you use your personal cell phone to access information on select works of art. Outside of that special circumstance, we ask that you silence your cell phone while in the galleries or turn it off before you check your belongings at the coat check. Cell phones may be used at the Olympic Sculpture Park, the Seattle Asian Art Museum Fuller Garden Court, and the SAM Downtown Brotman Forum and the South Hall.

Is it all right to sketch in the galleries?

Sketching with pencil, pastel and charcoal is permitted in all galleries of the museum devoted to the permanent collection. The use of ink, fountain pens or watercolors is prohibited.


Does SAM validate parking? What time does the garage close?

For more information on parking, please refer to the following pages.


What is Free First Thursday/Gallery Walk?

On the first Thursday of every month, many galleries in the area stay open late, offering anything from free admission to a tour to introduce their new shows to the public. Sometimes the artists are on site for these events and the restaurants and shops will offer specials. SAM Downtown and the Seattle Asian Art Museum are open until 9 pm every Thursday. Visitors receive free admission to the permanent collections (special exhibitions may carry a surcharge) all day and can enjoy live world music, as well as wine, espresso and scrumptious fare from our TASTE Restaurant and Café. Schedule of SAM Performs.

For galleries, museums and art events in Seattle and western Washington, visit Art Guide Northwest.

Does SAM give discounts to holders of the FLASH Card?

Yes. Holders of the City of Seattle's FLASH (Fun Leisure Access Savings and Health) Card receive SAM's senior rates.

Does SAM give discounts to holders of the Microsoft PRIME Card?

No. However, because Microsoft is a corporate member of SAM, Microsoft employees can email give@microsoft.com to "check out" a company membership card and gain free admission to the museum.

 

 
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