Alerts
TAM’s Commitment to Keeping Our Communities Safe
Updated March 12, 2022
In compliance with updated CDC guidelines, Tacoma Art Museum will no longer require our visitors to wear masks. Per federal, state, and local guidance, masks are no longer required for most indoor settings as of March 12. But masks remain a safe choice. Please continue to use the best tools available to help protect yourself, your family, and our community from COVID-19.
Tacoma Art Museum strongly encourages members of our community to get vaccinated. To get more information on keeping your community safe find Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department COVID resources here and click here to find out where you can get your vaccine.
TAM Temporary Closure Through January 20, 2022
Updated January 5, 2022
The health and safety of our members, staff, volunteers, and visitors is of the utmost importance. Due to the current COVID-19 case rates in Pierce County, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close Tacoma Art Museum to the public effective Thursday, January 6, 2022. The Museum will reopen to the public on Friday, January 21, 2022.
While the building is closed to the public, TAM staff will maintain our commitment to transforming communities by sharing art that inspires broader perspectives and cultivates a compassionate future. Join us at TacomaArtMuseum.org or on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter), to continue learning and engaging with the museum. Despite the temporary closure, the care of our collection, development of educational resources and programs, and the planning of future exhibitions will continue. If you would like to support the Museum while our doors are temporarily closed, please visit our website to become a member or make a donation.
We look forward to seeing you in the galleries again soon.
TAM’s Commitment to Extended Statewide Mask Directive
Updated August 19, 2021
In compliance with the countywide mask directive issued for Pierce County by Director of Health Dr. Anthony Chen, Tacoma Art Museum will require face coverings to enter the museum. This directive applies to everyone 5 or older in indoor public spaces and outdoors where physical distancing isn’t possible and whether or not you’re vaccinated. Pierce County’s mask directive comes as Governor Jay Inslee extended the statewide mask order requiring indoor masking in public spaces beginning August 23.
Tacoma Art Museum strongly encourages members of our community to get vaccinated. To get more information on keeping you and your community safe, visit the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department website. Find out how and where you can get your COVID-19 vaccine here.
TAM Announces Full Reopening
Updated July 1, 2021
Tacoma Art Museum, along with our other partners in the Museum District, is happy to announce that we are reopen. Starting July 1, the Museum is open with refreshed hours and daily prices to welcome back Members and guests. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, TAM offers extended evening hours and will be open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Read more about TAM’s reopening and the other exciting things happening in the Museum this summer.
TAM Announces Reopening Plans
Updated April 2, 2021
As part of the transition into Phase 3 of the Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery Plan, the Tacoma Art Museum is excited to announce that we will be reopening the Museum to the public starting Friday, April 16. Since closing on March 13, 2020 and again on November 13, 2020, TAM staff have worked diligently to ensure we provide a safe and healthy environment for all visitors and staff.
Read more about TAM’s plans for reopening here.
Updated March 11, 2021
Plans are underway for Tacoma Art Museum to tentatively reopen to the public on Friday, April 16. Following the guidelines from Washington State and Pierce County Health Department, procedures will be in place to help us all get back to seeing art with a nearly contactless experience for visitors.
Read more about the Tacoma Museum District’s plans for reopening here.
TAM Announces Temporary Closure
Updated November 16, 2020
Effective November 17, and further to Governor Inslee’s proclamation of 11/15/2020, which mandated closure of museums until at least December 14th, Tacoma Art Museum will be temporarily closed to the public, volunteers, and staff until at least the New Year.
“With the health and safety of our community, visitors, volunteers, and staff as our top priority, TAM will be closed starting November 17, 2020, and will not open until after the December holidays,” states David F. Setford, Executive Director of Tacoma Art Museum. “Leadership does not see much likelihood that the museum sector will be allowed to re-open until there is a much lower infection curve. In addition, we feel we owe it to the community to help reduce infections, and to our staff to be able to have some control over their lives for the next 6 weeks or so. While we are closed, we will continue our mission-centered work connecting people through art. We invite the community to join us on our digital platforms, including our website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to continue learning and engaging with the Museum.”
Despite the temporary closure, the care of the Museum’s collections, development of educational resources and programs, and the planning of future exhibitions will continue. TAM’s virtual offerings continue to be available online, including the museum’s latest exhibition, South Sound Selects: Community Choices from the Collection, the 16th annual Dia de los Muertos celebration, and a variety of educational resources from TAM at Home. More information about upcoming virtual events can be found on the Museum’s events calendar.
TAM will continue to suffer revenue losses during the closure. Donations to support TAM can be made on the Museum’s website.
Our heartfelt thanks go to all of the healthcare professionals in Washington and beyond who are aiding the ill, working toward containment, and alleviating concerns. Our thoughts and caring extend to all those who are suffering as a result of this outbreak.
Reopening Update
Updated September 29, 2020
Plans are underway for our beloved Tacoma Art Museum to tentatively reopen to the public on Friday, October 9. Since closing March 13, TAM staff has been hard at work creating a reopening strategy to provide a safe and healthy environment for visitors and staff. David F. Setford, TAM’s Executive Director, served on the state-wide committee which created museum specific reopening procedure recommendations that was submitted to the Office of Governor Jay Inslee. Following the guidelines from Washington State and Pierce County Health Department, new procedures will be in place to help us all get back to seeing art with a nearly contactless experience for visitors.
Read more about increased safety measures and how to plan your next visit on the TAM Blog.
Updated August 21, 2020
Due to the high rates of infection still prevailing within the community, and on the advice of the Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department, Tacoma Art Museum (TAM) will not be re-opening at this time.
“Our first duty is to our community and our staff, and that will always be our prime concern. We are thrilled that Governor Inslee moved reopening museums to Phase 2 and 3, and we look forward fervently to the day when we can re-open. However, we also want to play our part in controlling the community infection rate of COVID-19 so that kids can go back to school as soon as possible and more businesses can open. Many of our most frequent visitors are in older age groups who are more susceptible to this virus. Therefore, for the time being TAM will focus on digital programs,” stated David F. Setford, TAM’s Executive Director. “At this point in time, on advice from Dr. Anthony Chen from the Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) and with the steady daily infection and death rates, we do not feel that it is yet safe enough for our staff and visitors to return to the Museum. We will remain in contact with TPCHD on a weekly basis and we are keeping our fingers firmly crossed that the numbers in Pierce County will continue to decline as they have done over the last week or so.”
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
updated March 13, 2020
The health and safety of our members, staff, volunteers, and visitors is of the utmost importance. Following the lead and directive of our state health and government officials as a measure to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community, Tacoma Art Museum is temporarily closing to the public effective 5 pm on Friday, March 13, 2020. We will share updates to our operating status on our website and social media channels.
While the building is closed to the public, TAM staff will still maintain our commitment to connecting communities through art. Join us on our digital platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, to continue learning and engaging with the museum.
Despite the temporary closure, the care of our collection, development of educational resources and programs, and the planning of future exhibitions will continue. If you would like to support the efforts of our nonprofit institution while our doors are temporarily closed, please visit our website to become a member or make a donation.
Our heartfelt thanks to all of the healthcare professionals in Washington and beyond who are aiding the ill, working toward containment, and alleviating concerns. Our thoughts and caring extend to those who are suffering as a result of this outbreak.
If events, fundraisers or plans are cancelled at nonprofit organizations that you support, please consider making an online donation.
We appreciate your support.