Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Premier Arts & Culture Destination in Bellevue, WA
Founded in 1975 by volunteers, Bellevue Art Museum (BAM) emerged from the historic Pacific Northwest Arts & Crafts Fair, which began in 1947. Our permanent home, designed by renowned architect Steven Holl and opened in 2001, serves as a hub for art, craft, and design. We are dedicated to fostering regional cultural vibrancy through exhibitions, community events, and educational programs. While currently under receivership, we continue hosting core events like the Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend at Bellevue Square. Our mission remains focused on equitable representation, supporting BIPOC, queer, and emerging artists while delivering significant economic impact to Bellevue's hospitality and retail sectors.With hundreds of thousands of annual visitors, we provide free community programming, including family-friendly activities and live performances. Our historical significance as the longest-running arts festival in the Pacific Northwest underscores our commitment to artistic innovation and community engagement. We collaborate with local nonprofits and cultural organizations to expand accessibility and enrich cultural experiences. Our team prioritizes transparency and community stewardship, ensuring BAM remains a cherished regional institution despite transitional challenges.
Services
Arts Fair
Museum Exhibitions
Community Programs
Artist Engagement
Sponsorship Opportunities
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- We host the longest-running arts festival in the Pacific Northwest since 1947
- Our free community programming serves over 300,000 annual visitors
- We maintain a 75-year legacy of supporting regional artists and cultural organizations
- Our Steven Holl-designed facility represents architectural innovation in Bellevue
- We deliver multimillion-dollar economic impact to Bellevue's hospitality sector
What people say
Bustling hub of art
Energy and inspiration
Premier summer event
Services
Arts Fair
The Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend transforms downtown Bellevue into a vibrant arts hub featuring 300+ national artists, live performances, and family activities. This three-day celebration includes artist demonstrations, cultural programming, and free museum access. As the Pacific Northwest's longest-running arts festival, it generates significant economic impact while showcasing diverse creative talent.
Museum Exhibitions
Our Steven Holl-designed facility hosts rotating exhibitions focused on contemporary art, craft, and design. The museum maintains a permanent collection while offering temporary showcases that emphasize equitable representation of BIPOC, queer, and emerging artists. Exhibitions run year-round with special programming during the annual arts fair weekend.
Community Programs
We provide free family-friendly programming including LEGO painting, chalk art, and Double Dutch lessons. Our initiatives extend to public installations, live music performances, and artist-in-action demonstrations. These programs aim to make arts accessible to all community members while fostering creative engagement across age groups.
Artist Engagement
The museum facilitates artist connections through its annual fair, offering sales opportunities and audience engagement platforms. We prioritize diverse representation with dedicated showcases for emerging talent and underrepresented communities. Participating artists gain visibility through curated exhibitions and direct interaction with hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Corporate sponsorship programs support our cultural mission while providing brand visibility to large audiences. Partners contribute to regional economic vitality and artist livelihoods through tailored marketing packages. Sponsorship benefits include recognition as arts patrons and integration with our multimillion-dollar economic impact initiatives.
Questions
When is the Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend held?
The 2026 event runs July 24-26, continuing our 75-year tradition of summer arts celebrations in downtown Bellevue.
How can artists participate in the fair?
Applications open in January via Zapplication.com. Check our website for the annual prospectus with specific deadlines and requirements.
Is the museum currently open?
While under receivership, we maintain limited operations with special events and the annual arts fair at Bellevue Square.
What community benefits does the fair provide?
The event generates multimillion-dollar economic impact, supports local hospitality businesses, and offers free arts programming for families.
How does the museum support diverse artists?
We prioritize equitable representation with strong BIPOC, queer, and emerging artist participation in exhibitions and fair programming.
