Seattle Art Museum

Like technology, art pushes boundaries, sparks conversations, and ignites the imagination. A thriving arts scene also contributes to a community’s livability and economic wellbeing. It is no wonder, then, that Microsoft deeply invests in this important sector.   

Over the course of its history, Microsoft and its employees have directed $160.8 million dollars to arts and culture organizations through grants and matched donations. These contributions help sustain a rich cultural life for communities across the globe.

In the Puget Sound, Microsoft has partnered with the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) since the 1980s to “connect art to life,” says Sarah Michael, Director of Institutional Giving at the Seattle Art Museum. The company and employees have contributed over $14 million to SAM and executives have served as SAM trustees for decades.  Microsoft’s support has helped SAM expand into downtown and the waterfront, weather difficult times, engage with diverse communities, and make art more accessible. These efforts make the region a more vibrant, healthy, and united community. 

“Microsoft understands that to make this region a great place to live and work, you have to invest in the arts,” Michael says. “No other partner has stuck with SAM and the entire arts and culture community like Microsoft has." Other not-for-profit organizational leaders across Puget Sound and Washington state often convey similar tributes to Microsoft’s generosity. Over the last five decades, Microsoft and its employees have supported 23,400 organizations in its home state, contributing $2 billion to philanthropic and education investments.

In the 1990s, SAM relocated its primary museum space downtown while converting its former home into its Seattle Asian Art Museum. “SAM’s location was meant to infuse life into the community, which aligns with Microsoft’s vision,” Michael says. “We’re now an anchor for downtown Seattle.”

Microsoft has backed large-scale exhibitions that raise the museum’s profile and bring in thousands of visitors to this downtown space. Special exhibitions focusing on Picasso, Yves Saint Laurent, and Gauguin, for example, attracted diverse groups—sometimes for their first-ever trip to the museum. And Microsoft was a presenting sponsor for the 2023-24 Hokusai show, which drew more than 100,000 people to SAM. 

These events help revitalize downtown and the surrounding area. Research shows that SAM generates about $36 million in economic activity, contributing to greater prosperity and a healthier community for all.

All levels of support make a difference for SAM, Michael says. From memberships, which are matched through Microsoft’s employee giving program, to million-dollar gifts, every dollar contributes to the museum’s goal of welcoming the community.

Microsoft’s consistent and ongoing backing has acted as a throughline for SAM, providing funding through the good times and the challenging ones too. “We know we can count on Microsoft year after year,” Michael says. This steadfast support particularly helped during the pandemic. For example, Microsoft funds helped keep the Olympic Sculpture Park open for people looking for socially distanced joy and connection during uncertain times. 

For decades, Microsoft employees and alumni have served as SAM trustees and thought partners. Employees share their expertise, brainstorming with curators and museum leadership on how to leverage technology solutions to deepen arts engagement. They also use their business insights to help SAM expand in service of its mission. “There’s always a Microsoft voice in the room," Michael explains.  

The partnership will help SAM’s future vision of community-building and curating experiences that make art more approachable for all. Michael says, “Microsoft has set the example for how to lead in the community, and they are helping us [prepare to] thrive for years to come.”