Bellevue College Welcomes Bellevue Arts Museum to Campus

Bellevue College is pleased to announce the addition of the Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM), a local arts nonprofit, to its new home on campus.   

Known for the Bellevue Arts Fair, the organization moved to campus on September 18, 2026. The BAM offices are located in the D Building, near the college’s art gallery, BCTV: College Channel TV station, Carlson Theatre, and Stop Gap Studio, making its location on campus a hub for community arts and entertainment and student learning. 

“Bringing the Bellevue Arts Museum to Bellevue College will place an extraordinary resource that will enrich students’ education through direct engagement with world-class art, building lasting value to our community,” said Bellevue College Board of Trustee Chair Rich Fukutaki. “This partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting the arts and ensuring they remain an essential part of our region’s growth and identity for years to come.” 

BAM will ultimately occupy D274-275 after classes are relocated to the state-of-the-art W Building, which is anticipated to open in Spring 2027. 

“We are thrilled to join this vibrant and innovative college community.  This move marks the next chapter for our organization as we champion community-centered initiatives that support creativity, learning, conversation, exploration, and impactful community partnerships,” said Bellevue Arts Museum CEO Cassandra Johnston. 

BAM Board of Directors President Adam Harrison agrees, “We couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with Bellevue College as we reinvent what our nonprofit organization will become outside of our former museum walls. We will continue to produce the Bellevue Arts Fair and evolve our brand to respond to the needs of our partners and our community.” 

Bellevue College and BAM are exploring opportunities to connect the organization’s regional arts network with the college’s academic programs and campus community. Areas of potential collaboration include: 

• Leveraging the nonprofit’s network of artists, community partners, and arts organizations to promote and strengthen Bellevue College’s existing arts academic programs 

• Teaming with the college’s Interior Design department to co-design the organization’s new space 

• Establishing Summer Arts Fair internships for Bellevue College students 

• Supporting the college’s art galleries on campus, and 

• Offering a series of cultural art workshops for the community.

“Bellevue College is a natural fit because our intentions align. Collectively, we are committed to expanding access to the arts and championing the social value of creative and cultural spaces for wider audiences,” said Johnston. “We anticipate great things to come.”