Learn about art, culture, and society through SAM's interactive technologies. With the perspectives of artists, curators, collectors, and public figures, the stories behind the artworks​ come alive with a touch of a button. 

Experience art on the go, at home, and at the museum—programs are available on your own device, online​, and in the galleries.​

Enhance your museum visit with an audio tour of selected objects in the SAM collection and selected special exhibition. Hear interesting perspectives of curators, artists, fashion designers and icons, collectors, a priest, Native storytellers, and teens. All audio content is FREE on your own device.

WAYS TO TAKE AN AUDIO TOUR

• Cell Phone: Dial 206.866.3222 for the free tour. Enter the numbers next to the artworks, then press the # key
  

• Listen online: Listen on Soundcloud and download the mp3s for free

• App: Download the free STQRY (with a “Q”) app in your app store on Windows, iPhone, and Android smartphones. Open STQRY app, select "Seattle Art Museum," then "stories" tab, then select a mobile tour

• Audio Guide Wands: Available for rent for $5 for selected special exhibitions in the galleries on a first-come, first-served basis

SPECIAL AUDIO GUIDE FOR LOW/NO VISION VISITORS​

There is a second audio tour with verbal descriptions of the same artworks for visitors who are blind or partially sighted (or anyone seeking an in-depth guided look at the objects).

• Listen online: Visit our collection of Low/No Vision audio tours from current and past exhibitions on Soundcloud.​​​

• Cell Phone: Dial 206.866.3222 for the free tour. Look for the text that says “low/no vision” near select works of art. Enter the number next to this text and then press the # key.​​​​​
  

Learn more about the artist, history, and themes in selected artworks in the SAM collection and selected special exhibitions with a free augmented reality smartphone experience.

How to take the tour in the galleries

• Download the free Layar app onto your iPhone or Android smartphone. Free SAM WiFi is available

• Look for the Layar symbol near selected works of art

• Using the Layar app, hold your phone up to scan the artwork and discover interactive content. Please use headphones

Past exhibition interactives

Kehinde Wiley Layar Experience

Seeing Nature Layar Experience

With the swipe of your fingertip—like the stroke of a paintbrush—make your own work of art inspired by the exhibition on touch screens in the galleries using Microsoft’s FreshPaint.

Looking for more information? Check out SAM’s Collections for content related to individual works of art or general Collection resources. Explore past exhibition resources through SAM’s Libraries Catalog.