Seattle Design 100+
Seattle Art Museum
The city's multi-facility museum is growing geographically and by reputation
BY
Lisa Kennedy
PHOTOGRAPHY
courtesy Seattle Art Museum

The venerable doyen of the Seattle art world, Seattle Art Museum attacked the 21st century with the energy and gusto of a youngster on the design scene, and by 2007 had catapulted itself into the ranks of major art museums in the United States. Under director Mimi Gates, SAM has kept pace with the aspirations of its home city, growing its influence along with its footprint. This past year, SAM christened the Olympic Sculpture Park overlooking Elliott Bay and reopened its down-town venue after a major remodel that almost doubled its gallery space. Its Asian wing in Volunteer Park continued to wow Seattle with daring juxtapositions of cutting-edge contemporary art and a signature collection of traditional treasures.

The museum has become a cultural linchpin, provoking spirited debates among admirers and detractors while drawing in ever wider sections of the Seattle community. Downtown, larger exhibit spaces have attracted increased donations and more than 1,000 new pieces of art.

“Size does matter,” says Michael Darling, SAM’s curator of modern and contemporary art. “We can show a much broader range of our collection. We are bigger, deeper, richer than ever.”

Seattle Art Museum
(206) 654-3100