Bellevue Arts Museum

The museum is not open. However the Gift Shop is Amazing! Do stop in n and hear the story of the owner!

Visiting on a Friday afternoon is great! No crowd and easily found parking! Art items are expensive but you can support the local artists!

Nice art museum with rotating exhibitions (check website). Lots of cool and beautiful art and exhibitions, although as others have mentioned this museum is significantly smaller than ex. SAM or MoPOP. (It is also cheaper!) As a general heads up, they no longer do free first Fridays but offer a free 2nd Sunday for students, and discounts on tickets for Bellevue collection. When I went, tickets were $15 for adults/$8 for youth (17 and under). I have never seen a wait or a large crowd (except during artsfair in the summer) so it tends to be a quiet museum. Their exhibits are mainly on the 2nd and 3rd floor. On the 2nd floor there's a cool community art room which is great for kids to make their own art and hang it on the walls. On the 3rd floor there's a small outdoor patio area as well you can access behind two doors.

Indeed modern abstract art, from the subtle messages the artists wishes to convey to the head scratching (in a good way I guess lol) I just wish there were more artwork but not bad. I spent a good 90 min here and no regrets.

This is a clean and sophisticated museum that rotates new art every six months. I've found it to be a great place to visit for a calm and expressive experience before heading to one of the great restaurants nearby. I've also had memorable experiences learning from the staff here who are outgoing and knowledgeable.

Love, love, love this museum. Was recently there to install Nicole Gordon’s fantastic show “Altered States” and could not have had a more delightful experience. The staff and docents are great; friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Am returning soon (from Chicago no less) and very much looking forward to my next visit. This museum is a 10 out of 10 all the way round; really interesting exhibits and great staff, what more could you ask for?

I visited the museum with my cousin, we wanted to view the Burning Man exhibition. They had a small collection of gifts handed out on the playa, plus a few portraits of scenes of various moments throughout the time Burning Man has been held at Black Rock. I meandered through some of the other art exhibits which where very cool to see and some even interact with. I had an enjoyable day.

I visited this museum for the first time in the early afternoon on a Friday and was blown away! They had just opened two new exhibits on the top floor that morning so I got to walk around and experience them practically alone, which was lovely. The glass show on the second floor was beautiful and inspiring, and I was moved to tears by Julie Green’s project on the stairwell.

Bellevue Arts Museum grew to its current location from modest beginnings. Your mileage will vary based on current exhibits, which is all they have. They don't have a permanent exhibits section. Most exhibits, once set up, will run for several months to a year. Be sure to look them up before going. This review contains pieces from two visits - April and September. Some logistics: They are located across from Bellevue Square. They have their own parking lot, but a very small one. If you are also shopping or eating at the mall, that's an alternate solution. One of the current exhibits that is particularly powerful is "Preston Wadley: Abstract Truth". Be sure to see the powerful piece called "Code Switcher", the most important piece of the Wadley exhibit. The feet appear to have different colors, standing on a book with jumbled letters and numbers. We are asked to walk fully around the piece observing the many color changes. This piece depicts how we speak differently to different people. While we all do this at different degrees, Wadley is specifically calling out the magnitude to which African Americans do this, more than any other ethnicity. Another trio from Preston Wadley depicts his experience with his mother who suffered from Alzheimer's. Depicted in 3 timelines, they show how a person's mind fades due to this cruel disease. Another piece that captured my attention was a huge wall installation, titled Number 215B, by Leonardo Drew. He is calling attention to the wreckage caused by "natural" disasters (natural or manmade?). He hand-dyes, paints, and ages every piece. He calls himself the "weather" in the creation process. Ironically, because he is using new materials to create his art, he is criticized for being a hypocrite to his environmental message. This piece is violent, chaotic, and messy. Another example is called "Grow'd", by Alison Saar, 2019. Modeling Topsy, a character from "Uncle Tom's Cabin," Saar presents a strong, regal Topsy who has reclaimed herself from her ex-slavery status. She sits on a bale of cotton, the cotton branches on her hair resembles a crown, the sickle in her hand gives her power. Last example is "Marechal Floriano Peixoto II", from the series "The World Stage: Brazil, by Kehinde Wiley, 2009. If the style looks familiar, it should. Wiley is the artist who painted Obama's presential portrait. Famous for his realistic depiction of his subjects, Wiley reimagined a statue in Rio de Janeiro from a theme of colonialism to this new image of locals with a bamboo reed, a native plant, and native flowers in the background. These two figures gaze directly at the viewer; their calm presence suggest strength, pride, and also comfort. Strictly speaking, BAM is a 3 to 3.5 stars museum. Because of rotating exhibits, it is not "always for everyone", which is less common for a museum. Some exhibits are decidedly edgier with weightier topics. But this museum has heart and is thought-provoking. The intentions and the power of the pieces challenge the mind.

My wonderful friend Sammar and I visited the Bellevue Art Museum together this past Sunday. It is a fairly small museum, but it is packed with so many interesting exhibits that we easily spent almost 3 hours there and we were shocked when we realized that it was already 5pm, closing time. Sammar and I appreciated that this museum chose to feature several works by women artists of color, since these artists are traditionally under-represented in art museums. When Sammar and I first arrived, we were both trying to pay for both of us. I happened to be standing nearer to the card reader, so I managed to get my card in to the reader first. The ladies behind the counter had big smiles and they told us that we made their day with both of our eagerness to treat each other to this experience. That was nice of them. The other staff members that we interacted with during our time at the museum were also very nice, warm, and welcoming to us. At one point, I had to go to the bathroom, and when I came back out, I found Sammar sitting at a table drawing some pink and red roses on a tiny piece of paper with provided colored pencils. So I grabbed some colored pencils and drew my own tiny picture. We had a fantastic conversation while we completed our drawings, then we added them to the wall full of other tiny drawings. I think this is the only time I've had this sort of experience as an adult at an art museum, and it really added to my enjoyment of the museum. I also noticed the "Courtyard of Water" on the Third Floor of the museum. So unique and striking - I loved it. I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like that at an art museum before, either. Sammar and I had great conversations about some of the works of art that we saw. Some of the works of art had very clear meanings to us, and others were more mysterious. A very rich, full, and satisfying art museum experience. 5 stars for sure.

Before a few hours of shopping commenced, I decided to stop by this museum and I managed to snag the discounted $12 student admission. Surprisingly, I was more enamored with the exhibition of high school art than the rest of the museum, which was primarily dedicated to six or seven artists. I was informed that they would switch out the exhibition in August and do a rotation every 4-5 months, so it makes sense to visit here again some time! I'm personally not a very big fan of modern art, hence why I took one star off. It's just not my thing, a good number of the displayed art pieces were very much more symbolic. Some had you marvel at the craftsmanship, but still had you wonder what exactly it was supposed to even represent. A good amount of the art displayed here is liberal leaning. It has a very convenient location to stop by here before having dinner or stopping by one of the many salons/stores nearby. Visit this website to see if you'd be interested: https://www.bellevuearts.org/exhibitions

It is hard to find much wrong with the Bellevue Arts Museum. I stopped by on a rainy Black Friday and was treated to a nice experience. The museum is in downtown Bellevue near - but not connected to - the mall and other buildings. You will have to walk outside to access the entrance. Parking is decent in the area too. On my visit, the museum had several exhibits that were very interesting and local. The descriptions and backstory from the docents really enhanced my visit. The museum has 5 floors. I always recommend taking the elevator to the top and walking down in most museums, and it worked well here. While the overall museum is small compared to SAM and others, the space is used well for a 1-2 hour visit. Check the website for exhibits to ensure you have an interest in the subject. They have the standard amenities with lockers and open coat storage plus a shop on the ground floor. I did not see a cafe, but there are plenty of places in the area for eating and drinking. The feel is clean modern and is a nice break from the busy downtown area. I recommend making a trip to Bellevue to experience the Bellevue Arts Museum and the other interesting parts of downtown. I had a great experience and really hope you do too.

It was just OK in terms of their art selection and explanations. I was bummed as a section of the museum was closed, but they offered to reduce the ticket price for this, without being asked which I appreciate. I really enjoyed their rotating exhibit on the first floor that had art pieces from those with TBI (traumatic brain injury). I found them very unique and inspiring, I really loved their stories as well. Its a good stop on a rainy day in Bellevue, I spent about 20-30 minutes inside.

Conveniently placed in the middle of popular stores and restaurants across from the Bellevue mall. You can stop on by, enjoy some art, and get something to eat right after. (No food or drinks allowed in museums) They have three floors of unique art displayed from various artists in and around the area which makes this museum stand out. From the terrace, you can even get a nice view of Lincoln and Bellevue square. All staff I've encountered were wonderful and I can't wait to see what other exhibitions they bring next.

This museum is smaller than most but is well themed. The staff are super friendly and answer any questions that you might have about the various exhibits. I was truly impressed by their most recent exhibits that reflected the times that we live in particularly BLM and COVID. Also check out the wall along the stairs connecting the 2nd level to the 1st. For a history buff, that is something well worth. Parking is easy since it is right across from the Bellevue Square mall. They have a tiny gift shop. Overall expect to spend around a couple of hours. This is time well spent imo

We had unexpected free time on a Saturday afternoon and though it was already late in the day, decided to check out BAM for the first time. Arrived at 4 knowing the museum closes at 5. Parking was easy- $15 admissions. Very cool Washi exhibit. It's a small museum with rotating exhibits an hour was fine.

The exhibits were half empty or close off to the public. Not worth the price for what we paid. It had potential and unfortunate it will be closing for good.

Loved this museum. Enjoyed it a lot more than the Seattle Art Museum even though it's a lot smaller. They have a temporary exhibit now on the third floor which I think goes on for another week. He was a local artist and they basically have all of his work throughout his career and it was really cool to see how his work evolved and all of the different methods he tried. The 1st and 2nd floors have their more permanent collection which I also enjoyed. Lots of powerful artwork. My favorite is the piece on the first floor which looks like wallpaper from far, but up close has amazing detail with a very important message. *also I was disappointed at first because I came on the first Friday of the month which according to the sign on their door is when it's completely free to the public, but apparently that's not happening anymore. They should update their sign. Still got in for pretty cheap and it was definitely worth it. Student price was $12 but I think they said the city was sponsoring $5 off, so it was only $7 when we went.

A beautiful space with rotating exhibits including school-aged art (free to the public on entry level next to gift shop), an exhibit on glasswork, another created completely of cardboard (not child-friendly) and so much more. Be sure to go outside where you'll find a cool display that creates music as you spin the handle and watch a crystal-sized piece of glass ring against drinking glasses filled with varying levels of water. Inspiration Stations (at least two) are available for children to exert energy, play, create and explore. It's truly a lovely space and beautifully curated.

*Not Infant/ Toddler friendly* I felt really frustrated after my 1.5 year old toddler being told to be more quiet twice in the museum. This is the first time my toddler had been told to be more quiet out of our numerous visits to different museums. I definitely felt unwelcomed and this is clearly a mistake for me to bring a toddler here. Also the staff were following us in the third floor the whole time. If you don't want to being watched, don't come. This is ridiculous. Apparently several Yelpers with kids mentioned the same thing, I should have read reviews before I go!

Docents are knowledgeable but apply policy as they desire and seemingly in a petty and targeted way. My partner had a small backpack and was directly told it wasn't allowed, we were scolded by the docent for wearing it as it endangers the art but the same policy was not applied to other patrons around us wearing large bags on their back. I asked why others are not being told the same thing and got no evidence based answer. While walking through the gallery overheard a upsetting conversation of another docent asking a young Latinx cis women her thoughts on the term Latinx. I'm not sure it was appropriate to have that question posed to a guest as a docent. Especially as there is a power imbalance in favor of the docent. For context I am visibly queer and appear to be in my early twenties other guests who did not have policy applied were cis heteronormative women and men in their mid thirties. Collection is small, not a lot of information provided about the exhibition (if you are not part of a guided tour).

Neat art museum to check out the different installations. Free parking in the garage. There is a small kids area for kids to draw, read and play a plastic pipe type of marble run. Free tickets (you get a max of 2) through the King County library.

I can't believe I haven't written a review for this sweet museum before. We loved taking our children to the quarterly family events that occur on Saturdays. On one I remember a Brazilian dance troupe came with magnificent headdresses and there were sweet art projects our children did. We love wandering through the exhibits. Our nine year old daughter this year took an art camp called Modern Masters taught by a teacher named Natalie. The kids were able to use creativity in their art inspired by famous artists (Georgia O'Keefe, Joan Miro, etc.). My daughter mentioned learning lots of techniques and using new materials. She and the other kids took a tour through one of the exhibits and made art inspired by that exhibit. In all my daughter's years of bringing home art from school and camp, I've never had so many pieces I wanted to frame.

A conveniently-located three-story museum with frequently changing exhibitions. It's neat that you can even walk out to terraces to see both displays and views of Downtown Bellevue. Perhaps the time of my visit didn't suit my interests, but the layouts and exhibitions were, how to put it, strange? Although spacious, it seemed as if there was a lot of wasted space. For example, an entire room was dedicated to a single, long tree log bolted diagonally. I wasn't fond of "Simon Hanselmann: Bad Gateway" which was adult content and dreary. As quoted on the website: "Bad Gateway presents Hanselmann's dysfunctional comic characters in the real world [...] doing what they do best: anxiously smoking weed, watching DVD boxsets of Seinfeld, and weeping alone in their rooms, terrified of reality and society." "Ron Ho: A Jeweler's Tale" and "School: The Joseph Rossano Salmon Project" were at least nice to look at, but nothing special in my opinion. Adult tickets are $15, but free the first Friday of each month or during the annual BAM ARTSfair.

It was free for me as a Bank of America card holder and $11 for my girlfriend. It's a small gallery with mostly local artists. Most of the work was very political.

I would not say this is a must visit place if you are a tourism; yet, you should come here sometimes if you are free on the first Friday of every month because it is free entry on the days. Also, the atmosphere on Friday is usually pretty chill, and you should come over and take a walk.

I had been wanting to come here for the past 2 years and finally came over. It has a very nice structure and although it is a small museum, the interior is fantastic. Tall rooms and a very nice stairway concept. They have free days regularly. I like that the city has a museum of art like this one!! The best part is investing in culture and having free days for the whole family :D I think I didn't get the best exhibits this particular day. The installations were not my favourites. I guess that's art which have to make you have an opinion and feel you something.

We have been going to this museum for years and last Friday, our group of friends (all adults) and I were treated like children by Rebecaca (sp?), the manager of the museum. She was very rude and condescending telling me that we should consider calling ahead to give her a head count and told me that I was responsible for the folks I brought in if they "touched the art". I told her nobody has touched anything and we are all adults here, not children. She couldn't point out the THREE people who she claimed "touched the art" and left when I asked her to point them out because I would personally kick them out! The reality was that the nice security woman who regularly works there asked politely to some folks to keep a distance from the art. When she told Rebecaca that some folks were close enough to touch the art, that deaf woman came to me to complain saying "YOUR PEOPLE ARE TOUCHING THE ART!" Geez... way to welcome MY PEOPLE. Have some respect. We are all adults here. She needs to find a job somewhere else where she can yell at people and get her Friday Frustration out on someone else. The Good: Free First Friday of the month. Great displays and a variety of art work from all ages, students, and artists. The volunteers who give tours are great! Love the stairs. Three Floors. Free parking. The Bad: Some art displays stay for 3 to 4 months, but it gives everyone an opportunity to enjoy the art. The Ugly: Our group of adults were treated like children with condescending tone of voice and accused for "touching" the art when an older couple was just standing near some art that was hung on the wall. Better attitude and training for your staff Rebecaca, BAM!

I came across this cute museum during a short trip to Seattle visiting friends. It was a Friday afternoon, so there were not a lot of people. The three-story museum has an interesting layout, plenty of natural light, couch seating in multiple corners, and well-curated exhibitions. I really liked the Richard Barlow's Manifest on the second floor. This exhibition is open till Sep 23, 2018. All the pieces were photogenic drawings of natural world- trees, mountains, and water - rendered in silver leaf on vellum, a process almost medieval in its craft and care. The whole viewing experience was very pleasant as everyone tried to keep quiet in the museum. However, I wish they could have more variety in their exhibitions - they have a lot of space which could probably fit in more pieces. Overall, this is a great place to indulge yourself in creativity and inspiration.

Great place to visit! I love museums so it's hard for me to say anything negative. But....some of the staff were a bit rude. No reason for it, maybe just along day for them. Wonderful place thank you

Bellevue Arts Museum is a place that can be visited many times. Mostly because there are never any permanent exhibits. The glass exhibit was our favorite. There was such a large variety of glass artists displaying their beautiful work here. They had volunteers here who shared more about the artists and the pieces they made. They even had samples that you could touch and look at closer so that you could understand how the artist made the piece. It was so educational. One of the most interesting pieces was a dress made out of glass that has weekly live performances of someone dancing in it. There was so many pieces to see that our family could not agree on what the best piece was. Definitely worth a visit.

The location was easy to find and parking was free. I went on the first Friday and Admission was also free! The exhibits were spread among 3 floors and the art was amazing. I spent about an hour exploring. I especially loved the Femail and Alex Katz exhibits.

The Bellevue Arts Museum is decent in size. I would almost say the parking lot is too big for such a small museum, but there doesn't seem to be any parking on the street or any of the lots surrounding the area so the size fits and the parking was free so I can't complain. I took the stairs from the lowest parking level to the level which the entrance to the museum is on and proceeded into the museum through a revolving glass door. I purchased my ticket from a friendly front desk gentleman and got my little green tab that you have to clip on to your clothes or body somewhere so that the security knows you paid to get in. I honestly didn't think it was that serious and in a way thought it was a waste of plastic to have everyone put on a little plastic clip that isn't very secure and could fall off at anytime. I wouldn't mind just showing my receipt or having my hand stamped or something. Anyway, I noticed right away the general architecture as I walked up the steps to the second floor. The architecture is awesome in some sort of obtuse triangle or trapezoid with variety in each wall of the museum. I would describe the art here as mainly contemporary modern and enough to make you stop and think a bit on mainly of the pieces. Most of the art and sculpture is very vibrant and eye catching and general "outside the box" so take your time. Don't be one of those people that says, "I just don't get it!" Maybe stop and think, there might just not be something there to get. Just look, take it in, and move to the next piece. I also thought it was cool of the way there is sort of a water feature in sections of the roof sectioned off by glass and that you can actually go outside once you get upstairs to see more sculpture against the background of the sky. I liked the "pace" of the art as well. It wasn't too bunched together and is well spread out. There is even an area for kids and "kids at heart" to explore making their own art. I found that this was an inexpensive way to spend a Sunday afternoon at $10 for an adult and I might just be back whenever they change out their exhibits.

Time for art! First Fridays are free admission and open until 8pm and I added an extra star for free dedicated parking underground. It's three floors but the exhibits are well spread out so it doesn't feel too clustered. A neat way to spend 30-60 minutes in downtown Bellevue, the building and permanent installations are quite nice, and from what I read the non-permanent exhibits rotate quite often. Not your museum if you want to spend more than an hour.

The Bellevue Arts Museum does a wonderful job, showcasing their different and unique exhibits. Though the exhibits won't be as popular or mainstream as the ones at Seattle Art Museum or any other major museum, it doesn't mean this museum doesn't deserve your attention. If anything - it does much more so. BAM does an awesome job, serving the Bellevue community, with the different events they host and even displaying a community gallery, where community members are invited to submit artwork, based on a certain project BAM puts on. In my most recent visit, I saw that they wanted to focus on brain injury and how it's affected people, so the artists who submitted on the community gallery, published a piece, of whatever medium, as long as it helped them express what their brain injury meant to them. I also loved that in this particular exhibit, there was a range of artwork and ages. Very cool how engaged this museum is with the community. The museum isn't very large, but the layout is really nice, as there are more than one ways to go up or down the different levels, and because of its modern building, it feels spacious when you're here. There's even an outdoor courtyard at the upper level, with sculptures, chairs and tables, and a view of downtown Bellevue. I spend about two and half hours, going through the entire museum. And don't forget the museum gift store. They have New Yorker cards and other fun, eclectic gifts that aren't found anywhere else. Take advantage of Free First Friday! I don't know of very many other museums who offer free admission on the first Fridays of every month, so it doesn't coincide with other free firsts of the months at other museums. Plus, it's fun to see how many other people visit BAM during then, as if we're all celebrating the arts together!

Wish I could've gotten my money back. Came for the art, left from the political propaganda. Art is made first, and the message is left more to the interpretation of the viewer. This museum has a clear narrative they are trying to push. If you like seeing art to confirm a single narrative, this is the place to go!

I happened into FREE day at the museum. It was BAM ARTSfair and I just popped in for that but found out from the front desk that it was FREE day at the museum. It is quite different from most museums you will visit, as its exhibits feature arts, crafts and design. Many of the shows at this small museum are OMG & fun, while some of the exhibits are thought provoking. Some make you contemplate perceived values and imagined stereotypes. It took less than 1 1/2 hours to view the museum and I was delighted that I took the time. Visit the Museum's Sculpture Garden for a little sunshine. There are many good places nearby for lunch after enjoying the museum. Located in downtown Bellevue. Free parking at the museum or across the street at the mall. The museum has 3 floors but is not so large as to be overwhelming. There is a terrific gift store with unusual items. First Fridays are FREE! It sure is worth the time to visit. Tips & Guidelines: Store Your Belongings: Please store oversized parcels, backpacks, purses, and bags at Guest Services. A coatroom with lockers is available on the first floor. Visit the Museum Store: No Museum visit is complete until you've stopped by the Museum Store. Shop for unique, hand-made gifts made by artists from the Northwest and around the world. Free WiFi: Free WiFi is available in the Museum Forum (1st floor). Parking: BAM provides free parking.

I wasn't expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised. First Friday of the month gets you free parking in the garage underneath the museum as well as free admission to the museum. After seeing the exhibit, I would have paid. It was definitely worth it. Drinks and tapas were served for the First Friday art talk. Several five minute presentations were given by some of the current and upcoming artists. Because they were brief, presented by the artists and accompanied by a slide presentation, the talk was worthwhile. Still, I only sat through half and headed to the galleries at the intermission. The "Love Me Tender" exhibit where various artists from around the world used currency from different countries was extremely intriguing. Mark Wagner is my new favorite artist that was displayed. Also showing was folk art known in Japan as Maneki Neko (cats with the raised paw that bring good luck). Having lived in Hawaii, I had seen these figurines frequently at stores, but never knew their significance until this exhibit. I love it when I walk away from a museum knowing something new which was definitely the case here. I spent so much time on these two exhibits, I didn't even make it to the third floor. Fortunately that artist's work will be around until June, so I can see it at next month's First Friday. All of the art work was very well labeled. In addition, you could learn more about the art and the artist through an audio tour on your own cell phone. Dial the phone number listed on the show placard, and then dial the corresponding art work number. The audio spots were short and informative. Unfortunately, pictures weren't allowed due to the type of exhibit. This might not be the case with other shows. Fortunately the gift shop had post cards of some of the work, so I bought a few to take with me. Go! It won't break the bank, and you will walk away inspired and informed.

I have a fondness for The Bellevue Art Museum, which goes back to my first visit in 2009. The Book Borrowers was on exhibit and was simply astounding, books were sculpted by sandblasting and laser cutting into intricate works of art. It really was something special! There have been some interesting exhibits since then, but none that speak to me in the same manner. At the time of my review, Telling Tales is the exhibit I find most interesting. Although I generally do not find art on vases very interesting, I am really drawn to Cappy Thompson's work and the way she spins tales on the insides of the vases, looking out. This is a cute little gallery that is a must see. The location is right in the center of Downtown, making it a perfect beginning to a Friday night date. First Friday of the month is always free!

It's been a few years since we've been back, and we were happy to find that this museum has vastly improved. I found this museum as entertaining as the Seattle Art Museum. The staff was friendly and the exhibits were visually and technically amazing.

We've made several trips to the BAM over the last few years. They have some free parking, but are also easy to get to by bus. They've had a number of exhibits we found really interesting, but we went most recently to see Playa Made: The Jewelry of Burning Man and really enjoyed it. I would say their exhibits are usually pretty contemporary. There are often knowledgeable docents or "on the spot" talks. They do have a couple of small interactive areas, but otherwise it really isn't a hands on museum. They often have BOGO coupons for admission, but they have some great membership option if you plan on going back regularly.

We visited museum on Tuesday midday in January and were lucky enough to see amazing exhibition on paper dresses from Belgium. What an amazing collection of beautiful and inspiring dresses and paper tapestries. My 10 months old and a nanny were enjoying it. We also loved inspirational craft stations located through out the museum. Very modern, engaging, fun, kids friendly museum. Parking was free. Adult ticket $10.

We came here for Free First Fridays. What a pleasant surprise for this little museum. We also came during the last weekend for the Japanese Bamboo art exhibit, which was my main purpose for checking it out. It has a lot of exhibits for such a small space and it was just enough so you're not overwhelmed.

I just wanted to leave a quick review from a photographers point of view from shooting a wedding that was held in the museum. What a great place for backgrounds and various solid colors throughout. The staff at the Museum was wonderful and helpful throughout the night. The ceremony was held on the rooftop area, where it's metal and glass only...not ideal while the sun is blazing in August but it worked and the photos came out great. Parking was free in the underground garage and allowed for fairly quick access for any gear kept in the car. The wedding party and guest were on the main level after the ceremony. Photos were ideal from the stairway, which allowed for good wide shots of the party. The main level of the museum had good natural lighting through skylights so use of flashes were minimal. The outside of the museum has a great red wall with benches that make for great shots of the bride and groom against the red wall. The Westin hotel next door also made for a good place to shoot photos both inside and outside. I'm looking forward to shooting another even there. Rick www.ricktakagiphotography.com

Since the first Friday of every month is free admission, I decided to check out BAM. It has been years since I visited BAM and needless to say, I was blown away. The space is large, clean, and quiant. Each section and piece blew my inner artist away. Parking is easy (below) or park at the mall nearby.

Wonderful, modern museum, smack in the center of downtown Bellevue. The space is relatively small, but also quite modern, with a cool open stairway from the main floor to the second floor gallery, and a neat outdoor deck on the top floor that is perfect for a party. The exhibits are interesting and very modern. The night I went, there was a fantastic show of couture fashion from Ebony magazine - a glorious display the spanned the decades. After we finished that, we headed downstairs and took in an exhibit on technology meeting traditional styles, and I was awed by the ingenuity - QR code quilt blocks, for example. We were there for a show, and there was a food truck parked outside with really good offerings, a nice touch. Of course, Bell Square and Lincoln Tower are across the street, so there's no shortage of places to eat if you want to take in dinner and an exhibit.

We came here on First Friday for date night. Overall, it took us about 20 minutes to walk around the entire museum. I would like to come back during daylight hours, the outdoor space is something I would like to explore more.

This place needs to be shut down. They have an entire floor dedicated to some idiots polaroids and is considered art. I thought it was a joke at first. We got ripped off. The third floor was closed and manipulated polaroids from some kid messing with his 80s cameras was the only exhibition open. It felt insulting that we had paid for this. Didn't even take us 20 minutes to see everything. Extremely boring and dull. I would find more excitement in quilting.

This is a great museum and they gained my respect even more when they had a collection here that was explicit in sensuality and sexuality. I was always told that Bellevue was much more conservative that Seattle but I need to give lots of props to the museum for not shying away from such material and approaching it in a mature and artful manner. Appreciating for what it really is- Art! The collection we came here to see was the Campfires collection which was a collection of sculptures and pottery made by at least three different gay or queer artists in Canada. The sculptures were very explicit of a sexual nature but much of the pieces had a great deal of humor as the artists intended in their vision. Also at the Campfires collection there were lots of informative plaques and information covering the modern gay rights movement in the United States and Canada and touching on queer life during the Weimar era in Germany. The collection was so informative and entertaining I bought the Campfires book which they had for sale in the wonderful gift shop on the 1st floor of the museum. I truly felt I was with the queer "cool kids" by looking on the back of the book and seeing a quote by Bruce LaBruce on what he thought of the collection. If you don't know who that is...well it's worth a Google search. The Bellevue Arts Museum has three floors but when we were here the third floor was in transition between art collections and was closed. Due to this our admission was $10 which is normally $12. The folks at the front desk are extremely friendly and helpful, really all of the staff really. The floor staff in the gallery were also wonderful to speak with and knew their "stuff". Cameras are not allowed on the second or third floor where the gallery is. They are permitted on the first floor and in the second floor where a creative room is for kids and where a pretty impressive thread wall that visitors can contribute to. The Campfires collection is at the Bellevue Arts Museum until February 14th(of 2016).

Today was 'free Friday' (first Friday of every month is free). The large exhibit of quilts inspired by the natural beauty of the Sierra mountains was stunning! Must see. The glass exhibit was more technical than artistic but still good. The 'future' exhibit was whimsical, true Seattle product, dreamy, mystical and grungy. I think they nailed the future, at least of Freemont. Liked all of it, will be back next month for sure. Parked easily at Bellevue Square, and just crossed the street, there it was. ALL FREE.

We liked the exhibits BUT hated they way they stalk you if you have a kid. We have a kid who is 8 and he knows the museum rules (goes to SAM and other museums all the time). We knew we stepped into a super uptight environment when our child looked near the gift shop while we were standing right by him (did not go in) and was immediately confronted by an older woman that told us he cannot go in there unattended. Um, yeah, we are right next to him and we weren't going to go into your shop. Upstairs we were enjoying the art and our child went to the next section (on the same floor and exhibit) and the security told us he had to be within 8 - 10 feet of us at all times unless they are 11 & up. He did not touch anything or run around like a crazy kid, so I don't know what's up with the 8 - 10 foot rule since I couldn't find it on their web site and the lady who took our money did not mention that "rule" to us. We did go to the gift shop afterwards and that was just as unpleasant since the older lady micromanaged us when we tried out displays that were meant to be touched. Probably won't be giving our money to this place again anytime soon. If you live in Seattle, don't waste your gas and drive all the way to the "eastside" unless there's an artist here you have to see. Leave the kids at home. SAM is really all we need since they are much more friendly and their gift shop isn't anti-kid militant. I would've given it one star if we didn't like the current exhibits.

The Bellevue Art Museum is a nice, but small, museum with a leaning towards the modern. I learned a great deal about Chihuly glass making and his school in the woods and saw some disturbing macrame. The price of admission was not unreasonable, given that it is a small museum. You can come and go, so it made it convenient for us to stop for lunch in the middle of our museum trip. Security followed my kids and I around, only stopping when I watched the security guard as intently as he was watching me. Way to go and make young people appreciators of the arts!

I think the SAM is better but, my friends and I needed to get a museum visit in for school and they all live closer to this museum, needless to say I got dragged to Bellevue. The art was ok but, my favorite was one in glass where it felt like walking in a snowstorm. Most of the art was kind of boring and looked like it was ugly on purpouse but, I didn't mind I have a good sence of humor. One thing that really bugged me was the staff kept looking at me like I was some sort of criminal. One security guard kept following me from exibit to exibit, as if I didn't know. I think that people on the east side just can't get used to a few punky looking college students going to look at art. So much for inspring the young to be artistic.

With any Bank of America-issued credit card, weekends at BAM are free, a perk that BofA calls "Museums on Us." This is a great program, especially considering that BAM is a very small museum that can be done in :90 and would otherwise be a bit pricey. BAM may be a good place to spend a bit of time before catching a movie or to take a break from shopping, but its clear that this museum does not have the "pull" of EMP, SAM, or SAAM.

I recently moved to Seattle and was so excited to visit the Bellevue Arts Museum (in person!), both because I have a North American Reciprocal Museum membership (R.I.P. Museum of Craft and Folk Art) and because I've admired the exhibits from afar (read: online) for quite some time. BAM did not disappoint. What I liked: - The building itself -- very modern and sleek. Loved how we spiral up to the various floors and exhibits. - Free parking below the museum. - The museum store is full of fun toys and gifts for all ages. - All three exhibits were wonderfully curated. Loved the "behind the scenes" look at Nikki McClure's creative process via her sketches, studio photos, and playlists (headphones provided!). The Japanese bamboo art was stunning -- though not my cup of tea. But the High Fiber Diet works blew my mind. It was difficult to cast my vote for just one favorite. What I loved: - Artist Nikki McClure, of gorgeous paper cutting fame, conducted a reading of one of her books. She engaged the children and adults in the audience with her reading, explanations of her inspiration and technique, and responses to questions. This was a free event, open to the public. - After the reading, kids were invited to craft paper art inspired by Ms. McClure's work at tables in the lobby, surrounded by enormous and lovely works of art. - There were two other Imagination Stations which invited guests to create. Both stations were related to current exhibits. At one, instructions and multi-colored paper were provided so we could fashion origami hearts In honor of Nikki McClure's paper cutting. We were encouraged to add our hearts (and our heart's wishes) to the installation on the carpeted wall with velcro strips. The other Imagination Station was outside the High Fiber Diet exhibit. Check out my photos to see the string designs folks made with yarn and pegs. Museums that offer opportunities for the community to interact with one another and art AND to create something individually or cooperatively are the bee's knees! I look forward to the Japanese Beckoning Cats collection and Love Me Tender (art made with coins and paper bills) exhibits in February. If I didn't already have reciprocal membership, I'd probably attend on Free First Friday though, cuz I'm frugal like that.

NOT KIDS FRIENDLY all the time. Depends on who is there. First time I was there with my 5 year old, there were couple pieces of glass art, my daughter wanna get closer look, a lady came and said please don't touch it in a kind tune, and had some small talking with my daughter, so my daughter was delighted and respectful to all those art pieces. The second time, I was with my five year old and three year old. When I was holding the door at third floor for my daughter, my 3year old son rushed in touched a plastic boxes in exhibit. I pulled him away in one second, so the guy came to me said, you have two more warning and you have to leave. After that I kept a very close eye on my son. All the sudden that guy came again said I said you are not supposed to touch anything. It was funny because all the pictures at where we standing were too tall for little kids. So I said my daughter did not touch and I'm watching them, and he standing right next to us, at that point as a 5 year old shy little girl, her fun was ruined. She insisted she wanna go home, on the way home, she was like shhhhhh, don't touch, no jumping, no running to her little brother. There were fun cartoon pictures perfectly for her age, and she was having so much fun. I doubt she wanna come again in a short time. And it was the second trip after I purchased my yearly membership. Also, it could because we were speaking Chinese all the time... I really don't wanna go there.

How do you evaluate a museum? Well, first - let's think of it as a gallery, rather than a museum. because this is not a place you can come back to every year to revisit your favorites. As a gallery, it is an excellent place to look at art, especially a retrospective like Patti Warashina's. The place is not overwhelmingly large, and you can see everything in a comfortable visit and call it a good day. Free parking, knowledgeable and helpful staff, it's a good place to look at art.