Seattle Art Museum: SAM Audio Podcast

Podcast Information

What is a podcast?
A podcast is a series of audio (or video) files that are distributed over the web. Subscribing to a podcast allows you to download those files to your computer. Then you can listen to the audio files, either on your computer or on an MP3 player, whenever you want. An increasing number of museums and educational institutions are using podcasts to share information with their audiences in a new way.

How do I get started?
In order to download SAM Audio onto your computer or MP3 player, you need a software program that lets you select and download the podcast files.

What software do I use?
Many people know about iTunes, which you can use to subscribe to podcasts. However, many other software programs can be used to download podcasts. Go to our podcast page on FeedBurner to get an idea of your options.

What is “subscribing”?
The action of selecting the podcast and downloading the files is called "subscribing.” Many podcasts are updated on a regular basis. When you subscribe to a podcast, you are signing up to receive the updates; it’s similar to subscribing to a monthly magazine or tuning in to a weekly radio show. Each time you open the software, you will see whether you have received new ”episodes” of the podcast.

When will SAM Audio be updated?
We don't plan to regularly update the SAM Audio Permanent Collection podcast. The audio guide was produced to give you interesting perspectives and information on selected works of art in our permanent collection. We chose to offer these audio recordings as podcast because that makes it easy to download them onto a personal MP3 player.

We do offer our Special Exhibition audio guides as podcasts, so new audio content will become available as future exhibitions open at SAM.

Do I need an iPod to use SAM Audio?
Because of the popularity of iPods and iTunes, some people think you have to own an iPod in order to get podcasts. In fact, you can download podcasts onto any MP3 player and many cell phone models.

If I don't have an MP3 player or iPod, how can I listen to SAM Audio?
At SAM downtown, you can use your own cell phone to access SAM's permanent collection audio tour. The permanent collection audio guide is free with admission, except for the use of your minutes. More information...

You can also browse and download individual audio files for the Permanent Collection from your computer.

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