Seattle Asian Art Museum 🇺🇸

Located in Volunteer Park in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, the Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM) offers a rich exploration of Asian heritage and artistic expression. Part of the Seattle Art Museum, SAAM is housed in a historic 1933 Art Deco building designed by Carl F. Gould—a designated Seattle landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places—which features a modern, minimalist three-story glass and sandstone wing.

When you visit, you will explore historic and contemporary artworks spanning China, Korea, Japan, India, the Himalayas, and Southeast Asian countries. Rather than strictly by region, the museum's permanent collection is organized thematically across thirteen galleries, grouping objects by concepts such as spirituality, worship, celebration, literature, clothing, nature, and the power of birth and death. As you walk through the spaces, you can see notable pieces like South Korean sculptor Do-Ho Suh's 'Some/One' armor made of thousands of military dog-tags, alongside works by ceramic artist Yoon Kwang-cho and local Seattle Asian Pacific Islander artists.

Beyond its display spaces, SAAM serves as an educational and research hub featuring a special exhibition gallery, an education center, a conservation center, an Asian Paintings Conservation Center, and a library.

What to see at Seattle Asian Art Museum

• Historic 1933 Art Deco building with a modern glass and sandstone wing
• Permanent collection organized thematically across thirteen galleries
• Artworks from China, Korea, Japan, India, the Himalayas, and Southeast Asia
• Do-Ho Suh's suit of armor sculpture made from thousands of dog-tags
• A dedicated gallery hosting rotating special exhibitions every six months

Visiting tips

Be sure to explore both the historic Art Deco architecture and the thematic galleries spanning thirteen distinct spaces during your visit.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Seattle Asian Art Museum is easy to reach on Seattle’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Museum of Pop Culture and Seattle Art Museum. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Seattle travel guide.