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.”
As a not-for-profit organization, BAM depends heavily on grants, donations, and sponsorships. However, the combination of decreased donations, rising operational costs, and reduced visitor numbers post-pandemic has placed BAM in an unsustainable position.
“Closing the museum is not a decision we take lightly,” Scher said. “We have explored many different paths to keep our doors open. We have reached out to government, corporate and community stakeholders but have consistently come up short. There is great hesitancy to invest in an institution with preexisting financial issues. I find it frustrating because I know we have immense potential to serve the public and build Bellevue’s cultural identity. This is not just a loss for the museum, but for the entire Bellevue community. We understand the disappointment and sadness this news will bring, and we share in those feelings.”
Earlier in the year, BAM launched the SAVE BAM campaign and raised over $350,000 in six weeks. Although this support extended the museum’s operations and allowed it to host the Bellevue Arts Fair, it was not sufficient to engage the community’s largest stakeholders.
BAM is recognized for its role in the community, providing exhibitions and programs that have impacted many individuals. Board president Jay Pathy stated, “The impact of our closure will be felt deeply by those who have come to rely on the museum as a place of learning, inspiration, and connection. Schools, families, and individuals who visit BAM regularly as part of their educational and personal journeys will feel this loss acutely.”
As BAM closes, the museum has filed for Receivership. This decision is intended to protect the community asset and restructure the institution. Although Receivership is new territory for BAM, it presents an opportunity for reinvention and partnership. The museum will maintain a small transitional staff to support reorganization, run private events, and manage the Arts Fair 2025.
Pathy concluded, “We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported BAM over the years. Your belief in the power of art and culture has been our greatest strength, and we hope that, in time, we may find a way to bring that spirit back to life in a new and sustainable form.”
