Traveling exhibitions, Northwest Art, and Dale Chihuly glass always on view.

Tacoma Art Museum is dedicated to connecting people through art, and showcasing and collecting Northwest art. The museum features framed views of Mt. Rainier and a series of elegant galleries that wrap around an open-air interior stone garden. The galleries showcase traveling national and international exhibitions, as well as selections from the museum's collection of American, European, and Asian art. Tacoma Art Museum honors native Tacoma glass artist Dale Chihuly with an expanisive collection of the artist's works on permanent display. This collection, dating 1977 to the present, is the premier collection of Chihuly's work on public long-term display and features examples from many of his major series including Baskets, Sea Forms, Cylinders, Macchia, Persians, and Venetians. The top floor Education Wing makes art accessible with an Open Art Studio for art-making, and Art Resource Center for art study.

The Tacoma Art Museum (TAM) debuted in its own new facility May 3, 2003 after years in a too-small former bank building. Nearly twice the size, the spacious, $25-million structure completes Tacoma's Museum District triangle with a fine arts museum now able to exhibit far more of its permanent collection as well as top traveling exhibits.

The new TAM features approximately 12,000 square feet of flexible exhibition space in a series of galleries that entice visitors from street level to the second floor, wrapping around an enclosed outdoor garden. The galleries feature TAM's permanent collection of Northwest artists and 19th and 20th century American, European and Asian art, plus the world's largest collection of early Chihuly glass.

The museum also has an Education Wing for both children and adults to enjoy hands-on art making, Open Art Studio, Art Resource Center and an event area ideal for lectures, film presentations, performances and group functions. There is a museum store, café, art preservation areas, collections storage and 125-space parking garage. Total, the museum building contains 50,000 square feet.