Visitor Guidelines
Through art, SAM fosters creativity and builds community. We continually strive to create a safe and welcoming experience across our three locations—Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Asian Art Museum, and Olympic Sculpture Park—so that all visitors are able to fully engage, learn, and be inspired by the art, programs, and events. Please take a moment to review these visitor guidelines to ensure the best experience for everyone while visiting the museum.
PLEASE DO
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Have fun! Feel free to take your time to experience the museum’s art and spaces and enjoy your visit.
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The museum welcomes young people and their parents and caregivers. Just remember: Young people 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
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Service animals, defined as animals that are trained for the purpose of assisting or accommodating a sensory, mental, or physical condition of a person, are welcome in the museum. Pets are not permitted.
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Breastfeeding is allowed throughout all three locations. Bottle-feeding is allowed in the Seattle Art Museum’s Brotman Forum downtown and the Knudsen Family Room on the third floor. At the Seattle Asian Art Museum, bottle-feeding is allowed in the Fuller Garden Court.
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Strollers of all sizes are permitted in the galleries.
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Bags, backpacks, and baby carriers smaller than 11"x15" may be carried by hand or worn on the front of the body in the galleries. Bags larger than 11"x15" must be left at the complimentary coat check at the Seattle Art Museum or in the self-serve lockers at the Seattle Asian Art Museum.
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Sketching and writing in the galleries is encouraged. Please use regular lead or colored pencils only; no pens, paints, or pastels are allowed in the galleries.
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Photography is encouraged! Non-commercial photography and videography for personal use is welcome in the galleries unless otherwise indicated by a “No Photography” icon. To protect the art, no extension cords, tripods, “selfie sticks,” flashbulbs, or artificial lighting are allowed in the galleries.
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Be mindful and considerate of the safety and experience of others. Keep doorways and hallways accessible to other visitors. No running, rough play, or disruptive behavior is allowed. Please keep voices low and silence or use headphones with cellphones while in the galleries; no incoming or outgoing calls are allowed.
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Please be respectful and courteous of other visitors. Abusive, harassing, discriminatory, or threatening statements or behavior toward SAM staff or visitors will not be tolerated.
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Please follow the instructions of the museum’s security officers. They are there to ensure the safety of all staff, volunteers, and visitors as well as to protect the artworks on display.
PLEASE DON'T
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Regardless of licenses or permits, absolutely no weapons of any kind are allowed on museum property.
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Please do not touch any of the artworks on display. Touching harms the art, so please stay at least 12 inches away from the surface of any object. Raised platforms, stanchion, or lines around certain objects are there as a guide.
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No food or drink of any kind, including water bottles, is allowed in the galleries.
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No smoking or vaping is allowed inside any museum property or within 25’ of any public entrance.
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Please leave wet coats, jackets, and umbrellas in our complimentary coat check to ensure safety.
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Shoes, tops, and bottoms must be worn while inside the Seattle Art Museum and the Seattle Asian Art Museum. No bathing suit attire is permitted at either location.
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Visitors may not wear any masks, hoods, or full face paint which obscures the majority of the face or covers the head completely. Medical masks and religious coverings are allowed.
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No lighter-than-air (helium) balloons of any kind are allowed at the Seattle Art Museum or Seattle Asian Art Museum.
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No plant material such as flowers, branches, leaves, or other organic material is allowed in the galleries.
SAM reserves the right to refuse or revoke the admission of any visitor whose conduct violates these guidelines or otherwise jeopardizes the safety of our staff, visitors, or the art.