Welcome to the Hawaii State Art Museum

About the Hawaii State Art Museum (HiSAM)

 

The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts invites you to visit the Hawai‘i State Art Museum (HiSAM). HiSAM is located on the 2nd floor of the No. 1 Capitol District Building, 250 South Hotel Street, in downtown Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Admission is always free. The museum is open Monday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. The museum is closed on Sunday and on state and federal holidays. View some of the best contemporary art from across the state of Hawaiʻi in our exhibits! HiSAM is a venue for the Art in Public Places Program of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Most of the collection is on display in public buildings, including libraries, schools, and state offices. Artworks in the collection are primarily contemporary works by artists with a connection to Hawai‘i.

Museum Admission & Hours

Museum admission is always free! This includes all museum exhibits, events, and activities.

  • Monday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Sunday: closed
  • Some state and federal holidays: closed

The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and is closed on Sunday and some state and federal holidays (listed on the museum calendar).

  • Open on Monday, February 20, 2023 (Presidents’ Day)

Visitor Guidelines

Visitor Guidelines

The Hawai‘i State Art Museum is the “People’s Museum” and belongs to everyone. Please respect those around you by allowing them to enjoy their own museum experience.

  • Please refrain from touching the art. Please join us in preserving the artwork for future generations. Artwork can be damaged by even the slightest contact.
  • Wheelchair/Stroller Access: Richards Street gate entrance has a walkway leading to the side of the building facing Richards Street. As you come in to the main hallway, turn left to go to the lobby, or turn right to go to the Sculpture Garden. There are two elevators, one on each side of the lobby.
  • Smoking and Food: Smoking, including e-cigs, is prohibited throughout State buildings. No food or drink is allowed in the museum galleries.
  • Pets: No animals are permitted on state property with the exception of professionally trained service animals.
  • Photography: Hand-held still and video photography in existing light is allowed in the galleries for private, noncommercial, or educational use (including personal social media accounts). Photography is not permitted in special exhibitions or areas designated as “No Photography.”
  • For press, professional, and other special photography: Please contact the SFCA’s Information Specialist, Mamiko Carroll, at 808-586-0305 or [email protected].
    • For photo and/or film permits for the building and grounds, please contact Art in Public Places Program Director/Hawaiʻi State Art Museum Director Karen Ewald at [email protected] or 808-586-9950 for more information.
    • For information concerning permissions or photography of artworks in the SFCA’s Art in Public Places Collection, please contact Art in Public Places Program Director/Hawaiʻi State Art Museum Director Karen Ewald at [email protected] or (808) 586-9950.
    • No professional photographs in the museum may be reproduced, distributed, or sold without permission.

Contact

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 808-586-0900

Staff

Museum Director

Karen Ewald, Art in Public Places Program Director/Hawaiʻi State Art Museum Director

Museum Educator

Shirley Lam

Visitor Services Manager

Vacant

Jobs

The Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) is a state government agency, administratively attached to the Department of Accounting and General Services (Hawai‘i Revised Statutes Chapter 9). The Hawai‘i State Art Museum (HiSAM) is operated by the SFCA. All hiring for jobs is done via the Hawai‘i Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD). For careers and career opportunities within the state of Hawai‘i, please visit their website: Hawai‘i Department of Human Resources Development.

For more information about full-time, permanent employment, please see our employment page.

Performing/Teaching/Presenting at HiSAM

If you are interested in doing contract work performing, teaching, or presenting in the museum, please go to one of the forms linked below:

 

News and Social Media

Keep in touch

Email Newsletter

Subscribe to the email newsletter for event calendar updates, exhibit openings, and more: newsletter sign-up

Social Media