, the Pacific Northwest's center for the exploration of art, craft and design, is launching new Museum Hours and a greatly-reduced $25 Family ticket this spring. Both changes will go into effect on Friday, April 1, 2011.
NEW MUSEUM HOURS
Tuesday – Sunday: 11am – 5pm
Free First Friday: 11am – 8pm
The new, simplified schedule allows the Museum to expand its hours on the weekend, historically its most highly attended days. BAM continues to stay open late on the first Friday of every month with free admission for all visitors. Like many of its peer organizations, BAM will be closed on Mondays.
Also starting April 1, 2011, the Museum is introducing a new, greatly-reduced $25 FAMILY TICKET. "Now it is more affordable than ever for families to spend time together and explore all that BAM has to offer," Executive Director/CEO Mark W. Crawford says. "We're immensely pleased to be able to help families connect through art and share experiences that we hope will be cherished for many years to come."
The new Family ticket is good for up to two adults and four children under the age of 18. Bellevue Arts Museum will be one of few regional museums offering a family-friendly admissions ticket. Families may also join the Museum as members for only $75 per year with unlimited access to the galleries and many other perks such as free or greatly-reduced access to BAM's many Kids & Family Programs.
April 1 coincides with Free First Friday. A free lecture with California-based ceramic artist Wanxin Zhang is held at 6:30 pm. Seating is limited and visitors are encouraged to RSVP at www.bellevuearts.org.
BAM's 2011 exhibitions continue to boast a nuanced mix of Northwest artists and national and international exhibitions. The current Wanxin Zhang: A Ten Year Survey exhibit, the Latin American jewelry show this spring and an in-depth survey of celebrated designer George Nelson later this fall are but a few of this year's highlights. The Bellevue Arts Museum artsfair, one of the region's largest and most anticipated arts event, is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year. Held July 29-31, 2011, the event features over 300 juried artists from across the nation, plus a rich variety of free community programs.
