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Bellevue Arts Museum
Category: Arts & Entertainment Museums Museums [Edit]
510 Bellevue Way NE(between 4th St & Wolverine Way)
Bellevue, WA 98004
(425) 519-0770
- Hours:
Tue-Sun 11 am - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
20 reviews for Bellevue Arts Museum
20 reviews in English
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Review from Elizabeth J.
San Francisco, CA
1/6/2012
I really enjoy going to the Bellevue Art Museum whenever I am in town. They always have fun/unique exhibits ie. Lichenstein, Chihuly, Robert Nelson, and the museum is big enough to tour for an hour or so, and small enought to cover in an hour or so. Great curation and friendly staff!
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Review from Ninette C.
Seattle, WA
1/25/2012
Reviewing the Mad Men Party only:
The space is nice enough for a mini art museum, but there were some logistical issues. For starters, the alcohol situation was out of control. The wait was 30 minutes and they only had one bartender. They also advertised Vegas-style gambling but there was just one table of black jack, craps and roulette each. At least the dealer was nice. There was no food but I guess that's what happens when you only charge $10 a ticket.
The art exhibit upstairs was ok- at least we got to see it with the ticket price. The party was ok, but they need to work out some logistics. -
Review from Adriana W.
Redmond, WA
10/27/2011
Nice museum, but for the entry price, we only got to see one floor of exhibits that weren't very awe-inspiring. One room of snow-globes, one room of glass pieces (vases, etc), another room with strobe lights and moving objects (kind of creepy and it hurt my eyes so I walked in and walked right back out). The highlight was the carriage and chandelier made of rock sugar. They were in the process of setting up another exhibit on the top floor so we didn't get the full experience of all three floors. Nice gift store with some interesting items.
I won't be coming back here though, not worth the entry fee. -
Review from S N.
Brooklyn, NY
I came here for a members' reception and enjoyed it a lot!
The exhibitions on view were:
--The museum itself, a Steven Holl building
--Beth Levine: First Lady of Shoes
--Lisa Gralnick: The Gold Standard
--And a small exhibition showing some work of young students age 9-14 from the museum's Summer Architecture Camp
I enjoyed all of these shows!
The shoe exhibition was beautiful and light, and it was a smart move to put an exhibition about shoes on view in proximity to a major shopping center. This will get people into the museum... it's industrial design/crafts focused so it's relatable... and it made me feel proud of my own shoe collection since I have about as many amazing vintage shoes, in equally or nearly as good condition, many of which are Levine :)
I also appreciated that "The Gold Standard" exhibition is formally beautiful (the objects) yet is also a subtle and deadpan critique of consumerism and financial models. It's quite harsh, but so soft-spoken and pretty about it that it is possible to showcase such a statement smack-dab in the middle of luxury retail central without raising a dowager or cougar's eyebrow! Quite an accomplishment, this.
It is great that they have educational programs for kids. But do they know what they're getting into? Architecture is so stressful... do you really want to train up the younger generation to like it? Hah.
The building itself is signature Holl, with the washes of light, planes that read as planes, curvature, small bright splashes of color here and there, like in the main atrium's transom window. The lobby/atrium space was great for the party, and the galleries are spacious enough to show the work yet intimate enough to allow for the display of smaller, more detail-oriented objects. I liked some of the details, like the door handles - the smooth "bump" that you push to get out.
Staff were very friendly and catering was excellent. The staff were amazingly friendly across the board: from the volunteers who helped me find my way around, to the admin who lent me change for the ladies' lounge, to the curator herself, whom I ran into on the sidewalk and walked me to the restaurant I visited afterward! Overall, I had a great experience! And... um... the shoes that look like little race cars? SO CUTE. I want to replicate these, make myself a black dress with two yellow stripes down the middle, and start attending automotive events. They're THAT cute. -
Review from Beau R.
Sammamish, WA
8/14/2008
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! -
Review from Masquerade P.
Seattle, WA
6/22/2008
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.Listed in: The sucky list
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Review from Sara L.
4/5/2009
I'm giving this place four stars because it was a lot cooler than I expected it to be. I went for the Book Borrowers exhibition, which was really cool. Definitely a focus on quality over quantity -- the excavated books were really gorgeous. The quilt exhibit was pretty cool too. I'm not particularly interested in quilts, but the docent was really friendly and had a lot of cool information about the exhibit.
Small and cozy, but it was nicely organized and...succinct (if you can call a museum succinct). I'd go again if there's another exhibit I find interesting. -
Review from Christian P.
Seattle, WA
5/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love this museum. I remember one time I visited and me and my friend were trying to take a quick picture when no one was around so she gets out her camera and then we take one. Out of no where this guy came yelling with a accent saying "no water!!! No water!!, no camera!!! No camera!!!" We were like okay calm down lol. We didn't know you couldn't drink bottled water In there. I loved the art work they have every time I visit :)
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Review from Mike B.
Seattle, WA
5/5/2009
I'm going to rate this review partially for the place itself and the primary exhibit I came to see, the Book Borrowers.
First off, the Book Borrowers exhibit was incredible. I went with the thought of, "Hey, that sounds kind of neat." And I left dumbfounded by those artists' work. If you have not seen this exhibit, you should. It will be gone June 14, 2009.
The museum itself was friendly, and I just don't mean by Bellevue standards, the staff was genuinely friendly and helpful. The facility is spotless and a more modern design. Not a bad thing considering it fits Bellevue accordingly, not out of place.
If you've walked by a 100 times and always been curious, go take a peek. The Book exhibit alone is worth the admission. -
Review from Stephanie P.
Seattle, WA
3/22/2010
I'd always sort of meant to visit the Bellevue Art Museum, but, you know... Bellevue is FAR. But with a promising temporary exhibit on shoes, and the added incentive of lunch at the Mediterranean Kitchen, I finally had enough reason to venture out there.
As others have pointed out, the museum is more of an "arts and crafts" museum, and some parts have a fairly commercialized, gallery-like feel - right down to the quotes on the walls not-so-subtly encouraging you to become an art collector. If you can get past that, though, they offer an intriguing and technically impressive presentation of glass, ceramics, and textile art.
Through June 6, the main exhibit is "Beth Levine: First Lady of Shoes," which is a really fun show. Beth Levine is the lady behind Nancy Sinatra's infamous boots that were "made for walking," and was an award-winning innovator in shoe design for decades. The shoes on display range from beautifully hand-crafted works of art (high heels made with French silk, shipped to Japan to be embellished by the Emperor's embroiderers, then constructed in the U.S.) to frankly bizarre and unwearable high fashion (the "No Shoe" is just the bottom of a high heel, which was glued to the wearer's foot to stay on). This may not qualify as fine art, but it's really enjoyable and maybe sort of educational.
The building itself is light, spacious, and modern, mostly in concrete and glass, with a very sparse and open feel that lets the exhibits take center stage. The second and third floors are for exhibits, and the main floor houses art classes, talks, and the gift shop. Some of the exhibits have cellphone audio tours, so you can call a number and enter a code to hear a short audio presentation about an artwork. The museum also has film showings and guided tours. Garage parking is available, though it's literally across the street from Bellevue Square.
Adult admission is $10, but after seeing everything that's there, I think it's worth it overall. Just know that you're not going to be seeing Fine Art when you go. -
Review from Kristin C.
Redmond, WA
3/7/2011
Went here with some friends from work on the Free Friday to see the new textiles exhibit, and was pleasantly surprised at how nice of a museum this was. I am not a huge fan of textiles, but I do love art museums, especially free ones. Its not a huge museum, but they had a lot of good exhibits, and a good use of space too. All the staff was super friendly as well. There were even refreshments available in the Gift Shop. I will definitely be back here for another free Friday when there is a new exhibit, especially since its within walking distance to my work.
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Review from Rick T.
Kirkland, WA
9/23/2009 6 photos
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
http://www.ricktakagip... -
Review from Maria C.
Seattle, WA
2/9/2006
Concrete, metal, glass and jutting angles make a very cool building and the new focus on arts and crafts makes a very cool museum. I love what they've done with the place, inside and out. They've currently got a Pilchuck Glass School exhibit which is gorgeous. You'll see jewelry and quilts and sculpture and furniture and collage and so much more. You can get espresso in the cafe and park in their garage for free. Admission is totally reasonable - there's no reason not to see this place and every reason to support a museum that gives recognition and support to serious artists outside the mainstream of painting.
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Review from Angie K.
1/10/2009
I really like the Bellevue Arts Museum -- its focus is on high end "craft" rather than fine art as in a museum like the Seattle Art Museum (which I think is overrated, even after the remodel).
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Review from NANCY L.
Seattle, WA
10/2/2009
First Friday on the month is free admission day. So, take advantage of it.
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Review from S S.
Bellevue, WA
7/26/2005
This place just reopened recenlty. My boyfriend and I went a few weeks ago and we were impressed with the variety of new exhibits that they had. They were also playing some free live music in the cafe. The museum has really good acoustics. Also, there is a free underground parking. It's never too crowded, so that's another good thing about this museum.
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Review from Jen K.
4/27/2007
This SoCalian was stranded in Bellevue waiting for my friend and I lucked out and happen to go on Earth Day, which meant free admission for me. Since I still had my rolling luggage on me, the staff was really nice and said it was fine to leave it in their coat checkroom. Beautiful museum and they had some nice exhibits. Can't stop saying how nice the staff was, ranging from security to museum store. Of course, I had to make a donation. SUPPORT THE ARTS!
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Review from Stephen J.
Port Orchard, WA
6/27/2009
The parking was free, but I think that was because the ticket machine was broken. It is two floors of art that are laid out in an odd shaped rooms. The admission is $9, but the art museum is small. I am not a fan of modern art and so I don't feel like it was worth my time. If it was impressionist art or some of the other styles I like, I might have felt differently.
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Review from Krisha D.
Kirkland, WA
7/11/2008
I was very surprised about the avant garde exhibits they had there considering the location. I was very pleased and grateful to see Mandy Greer there. I will go back for sure. Close to home and surprisingly forward for the stuffiness of Bellevue.
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Review from Sameer H.
Seattle, WA
2/7/2009
We live in Bellevue and I finally visited this museum last week (on the first Friday of the month - which is free). Most of the stuff that I saw was quite uninteresting. It almost felt like it would appeal only to someone who is very rich and very disconnected from the real world so anything ugly and abstract with a hint of some elemets like "tribal", "classical" will be percieved as intriguing. It appeared that most visitors view the exhibits as a showcase of craft ideas that they can go home and try on their own. It's more a showcase of brute skill rather than anything to do with art. Out of the 100 or so exhibits, barely 3-4 were interesting. I am not hard to please - I spend hours in museums - but I couldn't connect with anything here. Maybe we went at a time when they don't have good exhibits. We might give it another shot in the future. But my rating is "Meh. I've experienced better"
