SAM Governance

Mission Statement

SAM Connects Art to Life

SAM provides a welcoming place for people to connect with art and to consider its relationship to their lives. SAM is one museum in three locations: SAM Downtown, Seattle Asian Art Museum at Volunteer Park, and the Olympic Sculpture Park on the downtown waterfront. SAM collects, preserves and exhibits objects from across time and across cultures, exploring the dynamic connections between past and present. Access either the most recent or past annual reports.

Board Operations

SAM has a highly active, talented and committed Board of Trustees who are dedicated to helping the museum present high-quality art and programs while representing the diverse region. As the governing body of SAM, the Board, in consultation with SAM’s director and senior staff, determines the museum’s strategic direction and provides oversight on art acquisitions, educational programming, events, fundraising and financial decisions. The Board’s Executive Committee meets monthly, while the full Board convenes six times a year. Board members provide expertise for every aspect of the museum's affairs, and they generously give their time, donate art and provide leadership, business acumen and financial support to SAM.

SAM Staff

SAM employees are diverse, energetic, talented people who are inspired by the museum’s mission. They aspire to provide a welcoming place for people to connect with art and to consider its relationship to their lives. Achieving this vision depends on the efforts of many, many people across the museum. Some employees make a contribution by engaging directly in the mission through art programming, education and community building, while others contribute by providing services to support and enable core activities in essential ways.