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 2^nd 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.

For everyone’s safety, staff and visitors must follow current safety protocols, including proof of vaccination or a negative test result, social distancing, face coverings, and limits on group size. The “I Love Art” hands-on activity gallery is temporarily closed. The museum is housed in the No. 1 Capitol District Building, a State government property, and is subject to Executive Order 21-07 (in effect as of September 13, 2021). Learn more at HawaiiCOVID19.com.

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 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
• 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 state and federal holidays (listed on the museum calendar).

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.

• Health and safety: Current safety protocols include wearing a face mask covering the nose and mouth (masks will be provided for those who do not have one) and a mandatory check-in for contact tracing. Please follow the instructions provided at the visitors desks.
• 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 Public Information Officer, Mamiko Carroll, at (808) 586-0305 or [email protected]. For photo and/or film permits for the building and grounds, please contact Visitor Services Manager Scott Young at [email protected] or (808) 586-9959 for more information. For information concerning permissions or photography of works in the Foundation’s Art in Public Places Collection, please contact Art in Public Places Program Director Karen Ewald at [email protected] or (808) 586-9950. No professional photographs in the museum may be reproduced, distributed, or sold without permission.

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

Staff

Museum Director

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

Museum Educator

Vacant

Visitor Services Manager

Scott Young
Telephone: (808) 586-9959
Email: [email protected]

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:

• Performing at HiSAM: HiSAM Performance Request Form
• Teaching a Workshop at HiSAM: Workshop Teacher Application Form
• Installation in the Mirror Room: Mirror Room Installation Proposal Form
  • Please note that this is our installation space and only full proposals will be considered. If you are interested in using our POD studio space, please complete that form instead.
• Utilizing the Passion on Display (POD) Space: POD at HiSAM Proposal Form
  • Please note that this is considered free studio space and is not a paid opportunity. If you would prefer to have an installation at HiSAM, please complete the form for the Mirror Room.

 

Keep in touch

Email Newsletter

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

Social Media

• Facebook: Hawaii State Art Museum
• Instagram: @hawaiistateartmuseum
• Twitter: @hisamnews