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?
• What does “suggested donation” mean?
• Can I purchase advance tickets for the special exhibition?
• What forms of payment does SAM accept?
• What are the admission discounts? When/how can I use the discounts?
• Can I purchase a gift certificate to SAM?
• Is there a discount on admission if I bring a group?
• How do I book a group visit?
• What amenities are available for visitors with disabilities?
• Does SAM have any suggestions for the best way to bring children to the museum?
• Does SAM have a coat check?
• Is it all right to bring a water bottle into the galleries?
• Can I bring my camera to SAM?
• Is it all right to use my cell phone in the museum?
• Is it all right to sketch in the galleries?
• Does SAM validate parking? What time does the garage close?

• What is Free First Thursday/Gallery Walk?
• Does SAM give discounts to holders of the FLASH Card?
• Does SAM give discounts to holders of the Microsoft PRIME Card?

Olympic Sculpture Park

• What are the hours of the Olympic Sculpture Park?
• What are the hours of the PACCAR Pavilion?
• Why can't we touch or climb on all of the art in the park?
• Are public bathrooms available when the PACCAR Pavilion is closed?
• Are dogs allowed in the park?
• Can I bicycle/rollerblade/skateboard through the park?
• Can I bring a frisbee or football and toss it around with my friends?
• Is it all right to picnic in the Olympic Sculpture Park?

Tours & Group Visits

School Tours

• How do I schedule a school tour?
• Are there additional admission fees on top of the school tour fee?
• Can we bring more than the suggested number of chaperones?
• How can I best plan for my visit to one of SAM’s sites?
• Where do buses park after they drop off students?
• Can we eat lunch in the museum?

Group Tours

• How do I schedule a tour for my group? Is there a fee?

Public Tours

• What public tours does SAM offer? When do they happen?

Collections & Exhibitions

• Where can I find information about past, current or upcoming exhibitions or installations?
• How can I find out if a specific object or type of object is in SAM’s collection?
• Where can I find information about recent acquisitions—art recently added to the permanent collection?
• How can I view an object in the collection that is not currently on exhibit?

• How can I get a copy of a label I saw in the galleries or the label copy for an exhibition?
• Who is Hammering Man, the sculpture outside of SAM Downtown?
• What collections is SAM known for?

• How can I go about donating/selling/loaning artwork to the museum?
• What is the Betty Bowen Memorial Award?
• How can artists get their work exhibited at the museum or in the park?

SAM Programs & Events

• What events are happening at SAM?
• How can I get on the mailing list to receive SAM program information?
• I'm interested in performing at SAM. To whom can I submit a CD of my work?
• I'd like more information on when SAM's tea ceremonies are performed and by whom.
• I'm interested in having my own special event at one of the three locations.

Educators & Education Events

• How can I sign up for a docent-led or self-guided tour for my class?
• Does SAM offer any professional development opportunities for teachers? Are clock hours available?
• Does SAM offer ongoing art classes for children?
• Is SAM offering summer camp this year?
• Where can I take a calligraphy or ink painting class, and who teaches them?
• What is the Wyckoff Teacher Resource Center?
• Is the Wyckoff Teacher Resource Center available only to teachers?
• Since it is located at the Seattle Asian Art Museum, does the Wyckoff Teacher Resource Center only have resources on Asian art?
• What kind of resources does the Teacher Resource Center loan out?
• What is the difference between Art Goes to School, art workshops and Outreach Suitcases?
• I just joined the Teacher Resource Center. How do I borrow videos, books and other resources?
• For how long can I borrow the materials?
• Can I get materials online?
• Do the online activities the museum offers stay online?
• Do I need permission to use the online activities?
• How can I access digital images of objects in SAM’s collection?
• How can I download images from ARTstor?

Plan an Event

The Spaces

• Can I arrange an event at SAM?
• How do I check for availability or reserve a space?
• How far in advance can I book a space?
• Can I stop by to view SAM spaces, and do I need to be escorted?
• What are the normal museum hours of operation?
• Can I arrange for a private viewing of the art galleries during my event?
• What is included in the facility fee?
• What is SAM's policy on deposits and reservations?
• Can I place the charges on my credit card?
• What time can I hold a wedding on a Saturday night?
• Can I hold both the wedding ceremony and the reception at the museum or park?
• Is there a contingency plan for an outside wedding if it rains?
• What is the parking situation at each location?
• Can my high school hold a prom at the museum or park?

Catering

• What is the museum’s catering policy, and who manages SAM's café operation?
• How do I get an estimate for catering, and who would be my key contact for food and beverage-related questions?
• Is TASTE Events equipped to provide Kosher catering?
• Can I use my own caterer if I want a special cuisine?

Membership

• What does membership cost?
• How do I become a member?
• As a member, will I be able to bring guests in for free?
• Can members get advance tickets online?
• What museums does SAM have reciprocity with?
• How can I get on the mailing list to receive SAM program information?
• What are the art councils?
• I'm a corporate member, how do I buy tickets online?

Art Research & Museum Libraries

• Are the museum libraries open to the public or just museum members?
• Do the SAM Libraries accept book donations?
• I want to learn more about an object in SAM’s permanent collection or about an object currently on display. What resources are available to the public?
• I have an art object I am interested in learning more about. Can you help me?
• Can I bring the object into the museum to assist with the research?
• How long will it take to get a response to my research inquiry?
  
• Do research services carry a fee?
• Can you authenticate or identify an object?
• Where can I go to get my object appraised, authenticated or identified?
• How can I find out about conserving artwork in my possession?

Getting Involved

• I'm interested in getting involved at SAM.

Employment

• What is the standard application process?
• Do you accept unsolicited applications?
• How can I apply for open positions at SAM?
• Can I apply for more than one position?

Other ways to be involved

• How can I become a docent?
• What are the art councils?
• How can I become a volunteer at SAM?
• Does SAM offer internships?

History of SAM

• Who was Dr. Richard Fuller?
• Who designed the museums and how old are the museums?
• Where can I learn more about the history of SAM?

TASTE Restaurant & Café

• What kind of dining amenities does SAM offer?
• What are the TASTE hours?
• How do I make reservations at TASTE Restaurant?
• Is outside food allowed in the TASTE Café?
• What forms of payment does TASTE accept?
• Does TASTE sell gift certificates?
• Does TASTE offer organic and vegetarian options?
• What is the membership discount at TASTE?

SAM SHOP

• What are SAM SHOP hours?
• What forms of payment does SAM SHOP accept?
• Does the SHOP sell gift certificates?
• What is the membership discount at SAM SHOP?
• What is SAM SHOP's return policy?
• I would like to sell my product in SAM SHOP. Who should I contact?
• Can I browse SAM SHOP's stock online?
• Can I have my purchase shipped to me?
• I saw a product in the downtown location. Can I purchase it at the Seattle Asian Art Museum?

Two-week Furlough and Museum Closure

• When was the museum closed and what facilities were affected?
• Why the two-week closure?
• Can I help?
• How much money will the two-week closure save?
• Will the success of the Picasso exhibition alleviate some of SAM’s financial woes?
• What else has the museum done to try to balance its budget?