BELLEVUE, Wash. — They resemble brightly colored plants, massive sponges and draped sheets of fabric. But the pieces on display at the Bellevue Arts Museum's "Washi Transformed" exhibit are all constructed from traditional handmade Japanese paper by contemporary artists.
It's just one of hundreds of exhibitions presented by Bellevue Arts Museum over its nearly 50-year history, an Eastside arts legacy now threatened with extinction. Past mismanagement and the challenges posed by the pandemic have left the museum severely underfunded.
Last month, BAM announced it was in financial straits and launched a six-week fundraiser to come up with $300,000. The public has responded overwhelmingly.
"We've been incredibly successful," said Kate Casprowiak Sher, the new executive director of the museum.
BAM is just a few thousand dollars away from its target, a full two weeks ahead of schedule. However, the museum will need to secure major long-term funding to stabilize its operations into the future.
"We've shown large stakeholders that the public cares, that this museum matters, and that it's an opportunity to transform this museum," said Casprowiak Sher. "The next stage is launching an endowment campaign."
There are some deep pockets in the neighborhood belonging to real estate and tech tycoons. Now the museum will need to demonstrate that some of those millions would be well-spent supporting the arts. Solid response from the community has been a promising first step.
"With the reception we've had from the public in the last four weeks, we're so excited for what we can do in the future," Casprowiak Sher said.
KING 5's Evening celebrates the Northwest. Contact us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Email.