The Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM) near Seattle in the United States closed its doors on Wednesday, September 4, the museum’s management announced. The closure of the institution was voted on August 12 by the board of directors who resigned on Wednesday, at which time the programs and exhibitions ended. The museum is currently in receivership, it has been temporarily placed in the hands of a third party who takes care of the management and assets of the institution. “This is the best way to protect our community’s assets and restructure the institution.”the statement explains. Among the staff, 12 people were dismissed.
Financial difficulties have been mounting for the BAM in recent years. In its press release, the BAM explains that it has recently suffered from a shortage “fundraising and sales, precipitated in recent years by the health crisis”. As a non-profit organization, the museum is heavily dependent on donations and grants. The BAM has recently faced a decline in attendance, which has generated additional revenue losses. Another black spot is the financial model of the new building inaugurated in 2001, which was never viable, relying on a handful of major donors. The museum then experienced its first major financial crisis and was forced to close from 2003 to 2005.
The closure seemed inevitable for the BAM since 2024. An emergency fundraising campaign had already been launched in February 2024 to save the museum. Despite the $350,000 raised, the closure could not be avoided: according to the financial forecasts revealed by the TimesBAM needed $1.5 million to stay afloat until the end of the year.
The closure of the BAM marks the end of an important institution for the American Northwest. Its closure could have repercussions on the artistic ecosystem of the region: the museum was a privileged platform for young creation where emerging artists could have their first exhibitions.
The closure of the BAM may not be definitive, however, at least the museum’s management is not clear on this subject. The museum’s management remains positive about the future of the BAM and is counting on the annual fair and its fundraising to revive potential financing: “As BAM closes its doors, the BAM-Fam remains hopeful that this is not the end, but rather the beginning of a new chapter”explains the museum’s management. The 2025 edition of the annual BAM Arts fair will therefore take place and the management announces that the BAM will keep a small transition staff “to support a reorganization, organize private events and manage the 2025 arts fair.”
