A new arts center just opened in downtown Seattle today—and at 66,000 square feet, it is the biggest arts center in the Emerald City. Cannonball Arts took over the site of a former Bed Bath & Beyond on the corner of 3rd Avenue and Virginia, where it will focus on prioritizing interactive exhibitions from artists based in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. Visitors are now welcome to come participate in the art, sign up for a membership, and attend events.
Read on for all the details!
What is Cannonball Arts?
Cannonball Arts is a 66,000 square foot arts center from the producers of Bumbershoot Arts + Music Festival, Out of Sight, and Museum of Museums. The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is also a partner of the arts center and contributes at least one ongoing exhibit. It has a combination of temporary and permanent exhibitions and installations, many of which invite hands-on participation.
How much do tickets cost?
Tickets cost $25 for adults and $20 for seniors and students. This excludes taxes and fees. Children under 10 are free. Note that they have a policy stating that ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
If you think you’ll visit often you can purchase a membership to what’s called the Cannonball Club. An annual membership grants free entry with no line for you and a plus one for a year along with other perks. There are two membership options at $125 or $500 a year, plus a free membership option that gives you early ticket access and special offers for events.
What kind of exhibits should I expect?
Many of the exhibits at Cannonball Arts are interactive. Mirror, Mirror is an audience-generated exhibit that invites visitors to take a photo in the mirror and submit it for possible inclusion in the exhibit (and a chance at $17,000 in prize money!). Toxic Beauty by Stephanie Metz is a hot pink, soft felted nudibranch on a mechanical bull: and yes, you’re invited to ride it. There’s also Monster, a virtual reality ride by Brent Watanabe.
Other exhibitions include a diaphanous skeletal whale sculpture, a “lush” indoor sculpture park, and live canoe carving by artisans from the Muckleshoot Tribe. You’ll also always find weekly pop ups, large-scale murals, bathrooms turned into art, and an “eclectic” gift shop.
Will there be events there?
The Cannonball Arts space will also be used as a hub for concerts, performances, and events, as well as a training and teaching center for artists. Cannonball Arts, in partnership with Third Stone, has a Workforce Development Program that offers paid internships for “the next generation of arts producers.” The space can also be rented out for private events.
For more information and tickets you can visit the art center’s website or follow Cannonball Arts on Instagram for updates about upcoming events and exhibitions.
Cannonball Arts
Address: Address: 1930 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Hours: 11-7 Thursday through Saturday; 11-5 Sunday and Wednesday
Cost: $25+ for adults