Seattle art lovers have a standing date to look forward to: on the first Thursday of every month, the Seattle Art Museum throws open the doors of its downtown home and welcomes everyone in for free. The next Free First Thursday falls on November 5, when general admission to the museum’s galleries and special exhibitions costs nothing at all — a simple, generous invitation to spend a day with art.
Free First Thursdays are supported by Microsoft, and they cover admission during regular museum hours, from 10 am to 8 pm. That means full, unhurried access to SAM’s encyclopedic collections, which hold more than 25,000 works spanning African, Asian, European, modern and contemporary art, plus the museum’s current special exhibitions. Tickets for special exhibitions are included too and are available on site on the day, on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you go, make time for one of Seattle’s most beloved photo stops before you even step inside: Hammering Man, Jonathan Borofsky’s monumental black silhouette of a worker, has been rhythmically raising and lowering his arm outside the museum at First Avenue and University Street since 1992 — a cheerful greeter who never takes a day off.
A few friendly tips help the day run smoothly. Entry is first-come, first-served, and a museum line can form at busy moments, so arriving a little early is smart. The museum is fully accessible, with wheelchairs available to borrow at Coat Check, and discounted parking is offered at the Russell Investments Center Garage. Whether you are a longtime member bringing friends or a first-time visitor curious about that giant hammering figure downtown, Free First Thursday is the easiest — and happiest — way to fall for SAM.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
