When can I purchase subscriptions/tickets?

Subscriptions go on sale when the next season is announced, typically at the last event of the current season. Single ticket sales follow in a couple of months and remain on sale throughout the season. Check Subscriptions & Tickets page for the most up-to-date information.

Where and how can I purchase subscriptions/tickets?

• Online at lectures.org
• By phone at 206.621.2230 x10
• At the Box Office on the night of the event beginning at 6pm if tickets are still available

What are my seating options in each venue?

Benaroya Hall – S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium
Literary Arts Series & The Moth Mainstage*

• Grand Patron: Reserved box seats / Includes a pre-lecture reception with the speaker
• Patron: Open seating in reserved rows in the front section of the Orchestra level / Includes a pre-lecture reception with the speaker
• Founders Tier: Open seating in the first tier of the balcony
• General: Open seating behind the Patron section on the Orchestra level
• Balcony: Open seating in the second and third tier of the balcony
• Student: Open seating in the second and third tiers of the balcony / ID REQUIRED (Full-time students or under 18)

*The Moth Mainstage:

• Grand Patron: Reserved box seats / Includes a post-lecture reception with the speaker
• Patron: Open seating in reserved rows in the front section of the Orchestra level / Includes a post-lecture reception with the speaker
• Founders Tier: Open seating in the first tier of the balcony
• General: Open seating behind the Patron section on the Orchestra level
• Balcony: Open seating in the second and third tier of the balcony
• Student: Open seating in the second and third tiers of the balcony / ID REQUIRED (Full-time students or under 18)

Benaroya Hall – Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall
Sherman Alexie Loves, Women You Need to Know (WYNK), Hinge

• Grand Patron: Reserved seating in the front rows of the hall / Includes a pre-lecture reception with the speaker
• Patron: Open seating in reserved rows in the front section of the hall / Includes a pre-lecture reception with the speaker
• General: Open seating behind the Patron section
• Student: Open seating in the second and third tiers of the balcony / ID REQUIRED (Full-time students or under 18)

McCaw Hall – Nesholm Family Lecture Hall
Poetry Series

• Grand Patron: Reserved seating in the front rows of the hall
• Patron: Open seating in reserved rows in the front section of the hall
• General: Open seating behind the Patron section
• Student: Open seating in the second and third tiers of the balcony / ID REQUIRED (Full-time students or under 18)

McCaw Hall – Susan Brotman Auditorium
Special Events

• Grand Patron: Reserved seating in the front rows of the Orchestra level / Includes a pre-lecture reception with the speaker
• Patron: Open seating in reserved rows in the front section of the Orchestra level / Includes a pre-lecture reception with the speaker
• General: Open seating in the Dress Circle and Gallery
• Balcony: Open seating in the second tier of the balcony

Town Hall
Special Events  

• Grand Patron: Reserved seating in the front rows of the hall / Includes a pre-lecture reception with the speaker
• Patron: Open seating in reserved rows in the front section of the hall / Includes a pre-lecture reception with the speaker
• General: Open seating behind the Patron section
• Student: Open seating behind the Patron section / ID REQUIRED (Full-time students or under 18)

Seattle First Baptist Church
Special Events

• Grand Patron: Reserved seating in the front rows of the sanctuary / Includes a pre-lecture reception with the speaker
• Patron: Open seating in reserved rows in the front section of the sanctuary / Includes a pre-lecture reception with the speaker
• General: Open seating behind the Patron section on the main level of the sanctuary
• Balcony: Open seating in the balcony on the second level of the sanctuary
  • Please Note: The Balcony is located up two flights of stairs, not accessible by elevator. Please contact the SAL Box Office at sal@lectures.org or 206.621.2230 x10 to request seating accommodations on the main level.
• Student: Open seating in the balcony on the second level of the sanctuary

Can I avoid the $5 handling fee?

We waive the handling fee on series subscriptions. The fee is also waived on additional ticket orders for subscribers throughout the season. All other orders include a $5 per-order handling fee. There is no fee for tickets purchased at the Box Office the night of the event.

What payment methods are accepted?

We accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover), cash, and checks.

Can I return or exchange my tickets?

Tickets and subscriptions are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged; all sales are final.

I can’t use my tickets, what can I do?

Is there a friend or family member who would be able to attend in your place? You may give the ticket to whomever you’d like. If you cannot find anyone to use the ticket, you can donate it back to SAL. We will send a “receipt of charitable donation” form indicating a donation in the amount of the value of the ticket. Please call the Box Office at 206.621.2230 x10 for details.

I lost my tickets, what can I do?

Call the Box Office at 206.621.2230 x10 or go to the Box Office when you arrive at the event, and staff will be able to assist you.

When will my tickets be mailed?

Typically, we start mailing series subscription tickets in late summer. Single tickets ordered throughout the season will be mailed within two weeks of ordering. We need 10 business days before an event to mail tickets. Any orders received after that time will be held at Will Call. The Box Office opens at 6pm the night of the event.

Can I reserve tickets and pay for them later?

You can place an order and then send payment to us, but tickets are not guaranteed until payment has been received for your order.

What does “general admission” mean?

General admission means that seating is first-come, first-serve, within the section listed on the ticket.

Does SAL offer student, group, or senior discounts?

We offer $10 Student/U18 tickets for all public SAL events. Student tickets are held at Will Call and valid student identification is required for pick-up. If you would like your student tickets mailed to you, Student IDs may be photographed, scanned, or faxed to us at minimum of 10 business days prior to the event.

SAL does not offer a senior discount.

A group discount of 15% is available for orders of five or more subscriptions or tickets at the same seating level for any series or event (excluding student levels and the annual Words Matter dinner). Discounts on single tickets will be automatically applied.

I didn’t receive an email confirming my web order.

If you did not receive an order confirmation email, we likely did not receive your order. Please contact the Box Office at sal@lectures.org or 206.621.2230 x10 to check on your order status.

What are the SAL Box Office hours?

• Regular Box Office Hours: 10am–5pm, Monday–Friday
• Summer Box Office Hours: 10am–5pm, Monday–Thursday & 10am–1pm Friday
• Event Nights: 6pm–approximately 8pm (in-person only)

I need venue directions and parking information.

On the webpage of the event you have purchased tickets for, scroll down to the “Venue Information” section, which has directions, parking information, and seating charts.

What time do SAL events start?

All of SAL’s events start at 7:30pm and last until approximately 9:00pm.

What are the box office hours on event day?

The Box Office opens at 6pm for all SAL events and stays open until approximately 30 minutes after the start of the event.

What time do the doors open to begin seating?

Auditorium doors open at approximately 6:30pm for all SAL events.

Is there late seating for SAL events?

There is late seating at SAL events. However, your seat is not guaranteed after the program has begun.

How should I dress for a SAL event?

However you feel most comfortable!

What is the format of the evening and is there an opportunity for me to ask a question or talk to the author?

Literary Arts Series, Women You Need to Know (WYNK), Sherman Alexie Loves, SAL Presents and Hinge events are typically original talks or lectures; occasionally, we conduct onstage interviews with speakers or hold panel discussions. The Poetry Series typically features poets reading from their work (with the occasional lecture). At all events, the host generally moderates a Q&A between audience members and speakers. We encourage you to email us your questions in advance at sal@lectures.org, post them on our Facebook or Twitter pages, or to use the Q&A cards available at the SAL lobby table or in your printed program during events. Simply pass your question to an usher at the end of the program. Please note that our Q&A period is limited; as much as we’d like to, it’s not possible to ask all the questions we receive.

Can I bring my camera to the event?

There is no flash photography allowed at SAL events. Unless otherwise stated, we are happy for you to take photos for personal use and to post on social media. All professional photography requests must be approved by SAL in advance of the event. We do not allow video or audio recording.

Do speakers sign books at events?

Book signings will follow all Poetry Series events and often SAL Presents, Women You Need to Know (WYNK), Sherman Alexie Loves and Hinge events. There will be no book signings following Literary Arts Series events. Our local bookstore partners will also be selling books at all SAL events. Please see event pages for more specifics. We ask that patrons please be respectful of the authors’ and other patrons’ time and limit your signing selections to no more than 3 books.

Are there concessions available at events?

Concessions are available at most SAL events.

Is there accessible seating at SAL events?

Yes, all of our venues have accessible seating available. Please contact us at sal@lectures.org or 206.621.2230 x10 for more details and to let us know you’re coming so we can better accommodate your needs.

Are there assisted listening devices at SAL events?

Yes, they are available at all of our venues, but systems do vary. Please contact us in advance at sal@lectures.org or 206.621.2230 x10 for more information or assistance.

Is American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation provided at SAL events?

ASL interpretation is available with a minimum two-week advance notice. Please contact us at sal@lectures.org or 206.621.2230 x10 to make arrangements.

How can I keep up-to-date with SAL?

To sign up for our bi-weekly e-news or to be added to our mailing list, fill out your email address at the bottom lefthand corner of the SAL website where it says “Newsletter.” Or follow us on social media:

• Facebook: @SeattleArtsAndLectures
• Twitter: @SeaArtsLectures
• Instagram: @seattleartsandlectures

How can I support SAL and its mission?

Click here to find out more about how you can get involved.