Bellevue Arts Museum to Close September 2024 Amid Financial Challenges
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The Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM) has announced its closure to the public, effective Wednesday, September 4, 2024. The museum has been known for its exhibitions, cross-cultural programming, and events, including the Bellevue Arts Fair. Although BAM will cease its programs and exhibitions, its leadership remains committed to managing the Arts Fair in 2025. BAM, like many American museums, has faced financial difficulties due to revenue losses from decreased attendance, fundraising, and retail sales since the end of the pandemic. Despite the museum’s efforts to address these challenges, it has been unable to sustain its operations.
Kate Casprowiak Scher, Executive Director of BAM, stated, “BAM was established almost 50 years ago and was largely the product of volunteerism and a drive to give the Eastside community access to the arts year round. Over 23 years ago, the museum moved into the ambitious and now iconic Steven Holl building, constructed with the idea to ‘See, Explore, Make. ’ Generations of Bellevueites have supported this museum and we are deeply proud of the exhibitions and programming we have produced. Unfortunately, the financial model in the new building has never been sustainable and it has relied too heavily on ‘one-time’ big donors. We are caught in a cycle of financial instability that prevents us from reaching our potential.
Still, I am incredibly grateful for the staff, the board, the docents, the advisory council, our members and everyone who has taken the time to visit or support our museum.