What to Know About the New SAAS-SAM Partnership

By: Sarah-Mae McCullough, Editorial Content Manager

A new partnership between Seattle Academy and the Seattle Art Museum is bringing SAAS students, faculty, and staff unlimited access to the Pacific Northwest’s leading visual arts institution. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, community members can visit both of SAM’s locations for free, opening the door for personal exploration and school enrichment. 

The partnership was sparked when SAAS alum and board member Whitney Vaughan ’03 joined SAM as Chief Financial Officer about six months ago. She and Co-Head of School Rob Phillips quickly recognized an opportunity to uplift both organizations' missions: SAAS’s belief in art as a way to foster creativity, empathy, and innovation, and SAM’s vision to bring Seattle’s diverse community—including young people—together through art. 

For SAAS students, staff, and faculty, the partnership includes access to: 

• Unlimited free admission to the Seattle Art Museum and the Seattle Asian Art Museum, with up to six tickets per visit (bring friends and family!)
• Discounts and special access to events at SAM, ranging from artist talks to golf tournaments at the museum’s artist-designed course. 
• 10% off purchases at the museum’s gift shop, SAM Shop, and next-door Asian Fusion restaurant, Bar Dojo. 

Seeds for the unique partnership were planted over two decades ago, as Whitney grew and found her voice through SAAS’s Arts program.

At SAAS, being exposed to everything from fashion design to choir taught her perseverance and confidence; “that I could try anything, and even if I don’t excel in it, I can enjoy and learn from it,” Whitney said. The arts provided an outlet for self-expression and supported her emotional growth. End of Tri dance performances expanded her comfort zone. 

Now, she’s proud to support that type of transformative experience for current students. 

“Art is such a fundamental part of not only education but children’s ability to process things and conceptualize and vocalize their feelings,” Whitney said. “In the digital age, it’s really fundamental for us to get kids excited about coming to museums and what that can offer them… Not just something to look at on a wall, but a tool to navigate through life.” 

The collaboration joins other deep community partnerships at SAAS, including our 10-year partnership with the South Park neighborhood community and our meaningful connection with the nonprofit Rainier Scholars. It’s one of many ways SAAS engages with, invests in, and learns from our Seattle-area community—enacting our mission to “Contribute Boldly to a Changing World.”