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.​

WAYS TO TAKE AN AUDIO TOUR

• Listen online: Tours available on Soundcloud.

• Audio Guide Wands: Available in the galleries on a first-come, first-served basis.

• App: Search "Seattle Art Museum" in the app store to download past exhibition audio tours to your iPhone, Android, or Windows phone. Produced by Acoustiguide and the Seattle Art Museum.

SPECIAL AUDIO GUIDE FOR LOW/NO VISION VISITORS​

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

• Audio Guide Wands: There is a second audio guide on the wand that offers extended visual descriptions of the same objects for visitors who are blind or partially sighted (or anyone seeking an in-depth guided look at the objects). To use this guide, 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 green "play" button.​​​​​

ONLINE Interactives

Audio guides and interactives are available online. Explore and find online art tours and interactive games; lesson plans, art activities, background information, and discussion ideas; and glossaries, bibliographies, web links, and more.

Miró: The Experience of Seeing
Gain perspective on Miró's life and career with this interactive timeline.

Modernism in the Pacific Northwest: The Mythic and the Mystical
Brilliantly inventive and profoundly affected by the world around them, the artists of the Northwest school created art that cannot be separated from the history that surrounded it. Explore this interactive timeline.

​​Online Catalogue of Chinese Painting & Calligraphy
The Online Catalogue of Chinese Painting & Calligraphy makes SAM's collection of these splendid works of art accessible anywhere in the world. This innovative, user-friendly website is free for your viewing, research, and study. Major support for this project provided by the Getty Foundation as part of the Online Scholarly Catalogue Initiative (OSCI).

Michelangelo Public and Private
Explore an audio slideshow of ​Michelangelo's preparatory drawings for the Sistine Chapel.​ ​

Target Practice: Painting Under Attack 1949–78
An interactive featuring quotes, paintings, and audio of five of the artists in the show. ​

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
An interactive featuring John Trumbull's paintings, the cornerstone of the American Art Collection from the Yale University Art Gallery. ​

Garden and Cosmos
An audio slideshow of beautiful paintings from the royal courts of Rajasthan, India. ​

S'abadeb—The Gifts: Pacific Coast Salish Art and Artists Explore the art and culture of the Coast Salish First Peoples through this multimedia interactive. ​

Tables for Ladies: Edward Hopper's Women
Learn more about Edward Hopper’s Chop Suey, which is among the first of his paintings of the modern urban scene.

Gaylen Hansen: Three Decades of Painting
This interactive website examines Gaylen Hansen’s influences; it includes audio clips from an interview with the artist as well as a timeline of his work.​

Poem Scroll with Deer
Explore the Deer Scroll interactive website, a virtual re-creation of a complete handscroll. Originally created in the early 17th century by two prominent Japanese artists, the handscroll was cut into two pieces in 1935.​

Marine Navigation in the Age of Exploration
This interactive explores the scientific instruments used by Spanish explorers during the Age of Exploration—the quadrant, astrolabe, octant, and chronometer. ​

Stories of Krishna
Who is Krishna? Why is he blue? And why do women find him so attractive? Step into his world and join the adventures of a Hindu god. ​

The Conservator's Studio
Explore four paintings from the M​exican Modernism exhibition through the eyes of a conservator. (What's a conservator? You'll find that out too.) You'll have a new perspective on the paintings as well as how they are handled and prepared for display. ​​​​​​​​​

FREE audio commentary highlights select works of art in SAM's collection.

Use your cell phone to hear commentary and unique perspectives by curators, artists, educators, and public figures on works of art in SAM's collection. SAM Audio is free with admission, except for the use of your minutes. SAM's collection audio guide is also available to download to your MP3 player.

How to use:

• Dial 206.866.3222

• Enter the item number followed by the # key when you see this cell phone icon:
  

• For instructions, press the # key.

• Interrupt any audio stop by entering another number and the # key.

• Please, no cell phone conversations or speakerphone use while in the galleries. Remember to set your ringer to silent.​​​​