5 BEST Things to Do at Bellevue Arts Museum

The Bellevue Arts Museum is in downtown Bellevue on Seattle's Eastside, across the road from Bellevue Square. It was established in 1975.

This stunning 36,000 square foot museum has a magnificent lobby with a gift shop, and exhibition space on the second and third floors.

The exhibits are focused on contemporary art from Northwest artists, and cover all mediums including textiles, art installations, and sculptures. There are rotating exhibitions every 6 months, but no permanent collections.

Check hours and admission.

5 best things to do at Bellevue Arts Museum

1. Hang out in the stunning lobby.

The stunning lobby is known as the Forum, and is two stories high with an elliptical roof. If you look up at the roof, you will also see three, circular skylights which allow the natural light in. A dramatic staircase leads to a second floor exhibition space.

Walk up the stairs to the second floor.

2. Check out the amazing galleries on the second and third floor.

The second and third floors at the Bellevue Arts Museum have a combined exhibition space of 12,000 square feet.

3. Visit the classroom.

The Explore Gallery on the second floor, provides plenty of hands on experiences for visitors.

4. Go up to the 3rd Floor to see the Court of Water and Court of Light.

The Court of Water (below) is on a patio on the 3rd Floor, and is designed to reflect light from the water into the gallery.

The Court of Light (below) is a courtyard on the third floor, available for rent for special occasions. The dramatic curved wall follows the arc of the sun at the 48th parallel during summer solstice. If you look down at the patio floor, you will see the three circular skylights that are on the ceiling of the Forum in the lobby.