BELLEVUE, Wash. — The Bellevue Arts Museum is closed to the public effective Wednesday, Sept. 4, after it failed to raise enough money to keep its doors open.
Kate Casprowiak Scher, executive director of the museum, said the "financial model in the new building has never been sustainable" and relies too much on "one-time big donors."
"We are caught in a cycle of financial instability that prevents us from reaching our potential. Still, I am incredibly grateful for the staff, the board, the docents, the advisory council, our members and everyone who has taken the time to visit or support our museum,” Scher said, in part, in a prepared statement.
The museum moved into the Steven Holl building over 23 years ago. The nonprofit relies on grants, donations and sponsor support. However, it is not fully funded through those means and rising operation costs and a decline in visitors left the museum in an unsustainable position, according to information from museum leadership.
According to Scher, museum leadership reached out to government, corporate and community stakeholders for assistance but came up short.
Scher said there "is great hesitancy to invest in an institution with preexisting financial issues. I find it frustrating because I know we have immense potential to serve the public and build Bellevue’s cultural identity. This is not just a loss for the museum, but for the entire Bellevue community. We understand the disappointment and sadness this news will bring, and we share in those feelings."
In February, the museum launched a campaign to raise at least $350,000 in six weeks. The museum would have closed sooner without the support it saw from the community, leadership said in a statement.
The museum has filed for receivership.
The museum plans to keep on a small transitional staff to support reorganization and run private events and manage Arts Fair 2025.