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Bellevue Arts Museum: A Celebration of Art, Craft, and Design

Explore contemporary art, craft, and design at Bellevue Arts Museum, a cultural gem in the heart of Bellevue, Washington.

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The Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM) is a cultural hub in the heart of Bellevue, Washington, dedicated to contemporary visual art, craft, and design [3, 6]. Since 2001, BAM has offered rotating exhibitions and educational programs in its distinctive Steven Holl-designed building [3].

A brief summary to Bellevue Arts Museum

  • Thursday 4 pm-8 pm
  • Friday 4 pm-8 pm
  • Saturday 4 pm-8 pm
  • Sunday 4 pm-8 pm

Local tips

  • Visit on the first Friday of the month for free admission from 11 am to 8 pm [4, 8, 14].
  • Check the museum's website for current exhibitions and special events before your visit [20].
  • Take advantage of the free parking available in the museum's garage during museum hours [4, 7].
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    Several bus routes stop at the Bellevue Transit Center, which is within walking distance of the museum [2]. Routes 234/235, 240, 271, 550, and 555/556 all serve this station [2]. From there, it's a short walk to the museum. A one-way adult fare on Sound Transit buses costs between $1.50 and $3.00, depending on the number of zones traveled [25].

  • Walking

    The Bellevue Arts Museum is located in downtown Bellevue, across from Bellevue Square [3, 4, 6]. If you are already in the downtown area, the museum is easily accessible by foot. From Bellevue Square, walk east across Bellevue Way NE to reach the museum [4, 6].

  • Parking

    The Bellevue Arts Museum offers free parking in its garage during museum hours [4, 7]. The garage entrance is on Bellevue Way NE, accessible when approaching from the south [2]. Additional parking is available at Bellevue Square (free) and Lincoln Square North & South ($20 for 3 hours, or free with tenant validation) [2]. Several other parking garages are also located nearby, with rates ranging from $6 to $15 [12, 16, 17].

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Discover more about Bellevue Arts Museum

The Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM) is a cornerstone of the Pacific Northwest's art scene, located in the heart of Bellevue, Washington [6, 13, 19]. Established in 1975, BAM distinguishes itself by focusing on contemporary visual art, craft, and design, offering a dynamic array of rotating exhibitions [3, 6, 13]. Unlike traditional museums, BAM has no permanent collection, which allows it to continually showcase new and innovative works from regional, national, and international artists [3, 13]. Designed by renowned architect Steven Holl, the museum's building is an architectural marvel in itself [3, 6, 11]. Its unique design provides a stunning backdrop for the diverse exhibitions housed within [20]. BAM's commitment extends beyond exhibitions, with a strong emphasis on education and hands-on involvement [3, 20]. The museum offers a variety of classes, workshops, and family-friendly activities, making art accessible and engaging for visitors of all ages [3, 20]. BAM traces its roots back to 1947 with the Pacific Northwest Arts and Crafts Association [3, 5, 6]. After several moves, the museum found a permanent home in its current location in 2001 [3, 5, 6, 11]. BAM has faced financial challenges throughout its history, but has always been supported by the community [3, 6, 11]. BAM also hosts the annual Bellevue Arts Museum Arts Fair, one of the largest and most treasured art festivals in the Pacific Northwest [2, 8, 14].

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