Hawaii State Art Museum: Convergence of the past and present
A venue for the Art in Public Places Program of the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, the Hawaii State Art Museum (HiSAM) features works of art primarily by artists with a connection to Hawaii and exhibits on topics of interest to communities in our state. Admission is always free!
Museumgoers can see remainders of the original building as evidenced in floor tiles, wainscoting tiles, iron grillwork, light fixtures and cast stone detailing found on the first and second floors. In the courtyard, the colored tiles under the eaves, cast stone detailing and swimming pool are also features of the original building.
The variety of exhibitions on display at Hawaii State Art Museum
Known as the "People's Museum," HiSAM is committed to offering the most inspiring and extensive collection of work by native artisans. The museum offers three galleries: the Diamond Head Gallery, HiSAM's largest gallery, which features large-scale exhibitions, as well as an Exploration Station for hands-on learning through interactive exhibits; the Ewa Gallery, which chronicles Hawaii's visual art history leading up to the 1960s and features both 3D and 2D works; and the Sculpture Gallery, which displays incredible pieces from the Arts in Public Places Collection, comprised of commissioned and relocatable artworks that include approximately 5,000 pieces of art by 1,400 artists. Hawaii State Art Museum exhibits include paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, textiles and smaller-scaled three-dimensional artworks that can be moved and displayed in different buildings throughout the island.
Hawaii State Art Museum tours and opening hours
The museum opens from Monday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m, and and is closed on Sunday and state and federal holidays. You can choose between a scavenger hunt tour or a self-guided tour via audio if you want to practice social distancing. Whatever your choice is, remember to include the museum to your travel plan!
