Tacoma Art Museum: A Hub for Northwest Art
Explore Northwest art and beyond at the Tacoma Art Museum, featuring Dale Chihuly's glass art and diverse exhibitions.
The Tacoma Art Museum (TAM) in Tacoma, Washington, is dedicated to collecting, exhibiting, and celebrating the visual arts of the American Northwest [2]. Founded in 1935, TAM has grown into a significant cultural anchor in downtown Tacoma's museum district [2, 3]. The museum's collection features over 5,400 pieces, with two-thirds classified as Northwest art [2]. You'll find works by renowned artists such as Mary Cassatt, Edgar Degas, Edward Hopper, and Jacob Lawrence, alongside prominent Northwest artists like Guy Anderson, Morris Graves, and Dale Chihuly [2]. TAM boasts the premier collection of glass artwork by Tacoma native Dale Chihuly, on permanent public display [2]. TAM's history dates back to the Tacoma Art League, which began in 1891 [2]. It evolved into the Tacoma Art Society in the 1930s and officially became the Tacoma Art Museum in 1964 [2]. The museum moved to its current location in 2003, a building designed by Antoine Predock to reflect Tacoma's industrial history and the Northwest environment [3, 6]. Expansions in 2014 and 2019 added the Haub Family Galleries for Western American Art and the Benaroya Wing for studio art glass [3, 6]. Visitors can explore a variety of exhibitions, including both permanent and rotating collections [5]. The museum also hosts events, including free neighborhood nights, yoga classes, and family-friendly activities [7]. The TAM Studio offers a space for visitors to connect, create, and explore art [7].
Local tips
- Visit on Thursday evenings from 5-8 pm for free admission during Neighborhood Nights [7, 19].
- Check the museum's event calendar for special events, workshops, and family activities [7, 18].
- Explore the TAM Studio, a free art-making space for visitors of all ages [7, 19].
A brief summary to Tacoma Art Museum
- 1701 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, New Tacoma, Washington, 98402, US
- +1253-272-4258
- Visit website
- Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
- Thursday 10 am-8 pm
- Friday 10 am-5 pm
- Saturday 10 am-5 pm
- Sunday 10 am-5 pm
Getting There
-
Walking
From the University of Washington Tacoma campus, walk south on Pacific Avenue for about 5-10 minutes. The museum will be on your right, across from Union Station [2, 10].
-
Public Transport
Take the T Line light rail to the Union Station/South 19th Street Station [2]. From there, the Tacoma Art Museum is across the street. Pierce Transit buses also serve the area. A single ride costs $2 [16]. An All Day Pass costs $5 for adults [22].
-
Driving
From I-5, take exit 133 for I-705 N/WA-7 S toward City Center [4]. Follow signs to City Center and take the 21st Street exit [4]. Turn left onto 21st Street, then right onto Pacific Avenue [4]. Parking is available in the Tacoma Art Museum's parking lot, managed by Republic Parking Northwest, for $2 per hour, with a daily rate of $12 for up to 10 hours [4, 15].
