Bid & Buy for BIMA is open to the public! Click here to start bidding & buying!

Thank you for your interest in participating in Bid & Buy for BIMA, our online auction and collectors marketplace! For technical support, please contact jmiller@biartmuseum.org.

Can I still donate artwork to the auction?
Yes! We are accepting donations until August 20, 2021. Please contact Jessica Perkins Miller at jmiller@biartmuseum.org or (206) 790-1710 to donate to our Bid & Buy for BIMA.

What is Bid & Buy for BIMA?
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art has announced two great ways to show your love at Bid & Buy for BIMA, our biggest fundraising event of 2020. BIMA’s annual fine arts auction moves online this year, where you can bid on more than 100 pieces of highly collectible Northwest art, craft, and unique arts experiences. And check out the new companion event, an affordable, online collectors marketplace of art, craft, jewelry, antiques, and collectibles—something for every art lover and every budget!

What is the difference between the online auction and collectors marketplace?
Items in the online auction will start off below value and bidders will be able to bid up in increments for each item. There is also a buy it now price. Most items in the auction were donated directly from the artist. There are also experiences and wearable art (including jewelry and purses) in the auction. 

Items for sale in the collectors marketplace are mostly donated by the generous Collectors Circle. These items are sold at 50% of value. If collectors marketplace items do not sell, their prices may even go down towards the end of the event, but be careful, your favorite item might be gone! These items range from artworks, antiques, crafts, collectibles—something for every art lover and every budget.

When is the event?
For all current members of BIMA, Bid & Buy for BIMA opens on Sunday, September 19 at 10am for member early access. Not a member? Join today! 

Bid & Buy for BIMA then opens to the general public on Wednesday, September 22 at 10am and will close on Sunday, September 26 at 5pm.

How do I access the event?
If you are a member, you will receive an email on Sunday, September 19 at 10am with a link for early access to the online auction and collectors marketplace. 

When the event opens to the general public on Wednesday, September 22 at 10am, you can access it from our website or through an email that will be sent to your inbox if you’re on our mailing list.

Where is the event?
This year’s auction and collectors marketplace event is taking place entirely online. You can access the event through our website at the start of the event or the link provided in emails sent to you announcing the opening, if you’re on our email list.

How much does it cost to participate in Bid & Buy for BIMA?
Bid & Buy for BIMA is completely free to participate. No pre-registration is required.

How can I start bidding?
All bidders must wait until the auction begins on September 19 at 10am—for members. To become a member click here. The general public will be invited to join on September 22 at 10 am.

How do I get started bidding & buying?
Once the event has begun on September 19 (for members) or September 22 (for the general public), you can access the auction and collectors marketplace from our website or the link in an email invitation you receive. On the event website, there is a “Start Bidding” button. Click the button and create an account; then you will receive an email invitation to sign up. Click the link in your invitation to join with a password, your address, and your credit card. Then it’s time to get bidding and buying!

When will I know if I won my item?
For collectors marketplace items, once you buy your item, you have won it!

For auction items, if you choose the “Buy It Now” price, you have immediately won the item. Otherwise, bid high and bid often. Once you bid on an item, you will receive notifications (either email or cell phone) if you are outbid to give you the opportunity to bid again on your item. The highest bidder when the auction closes at 5pm on Sunday, September 26 wins the item!

How can I obtain the items I purchase?
All items will be available for pick up at BIMA’s Madrona office located at 284 Madrona Way NE, Bainbridge Island, WA, 98110 between October 1-3. If you cannot pick up your item during this scheduled time, please arrange a better date and time with Jessica Perkins Miller at jmiller@biartmuseum.org or (206) 790-1710. 

If you cannot pick up your items, we will be able to ship most items. For items not eligible to be shipped, we have listed under the restrictions on the item page if the item is too large or too heavy to ship. There will be a cost applied to any items we need to ship. The cost of each shipment will be individual, based on the size of the piece and number of pieces you purchased. 

I am not interested in bidding, can I make a tax-deductible ‘regrets’ gift?
Yes, and we so deeply appreciate it! Click here or call Peter Raffa, Development Director, at (206) 451-4007.

Can I volunteer for the auction?
Thank you so much for your interest in volunteering! Uortunately, since the event is online, we don’t have many volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in volunteering for BIMA for other projects, please contact Kim Seigel, Gallery & Volunteer Manager at kim@biartmuseum.org.

Can I still sponsor the auction?
Yes. Please direct all sponsorship inquiries to Jessica Perkins Miller at jmiller@biartmuseum.org.

What does BIMA do?
BIMA opened in 2013 and quickly established itself as a bright, new addition to the cultural landscape of Washington State and beyond. BIMA has become the cultural living room for Bainbridge Island, a regional resource for quality arts and lifelong learning, and a welcoming landmark to visitors new and returning. Its mission—to inspire curiosity, wonder and understanding by connecting people with the contemporary art and craft of the Puget Sound region—has been brought to life as a new and vibrant showcase for some of the best contemporary artists and craftsmen of the greater Puget Sound.

Why is Bid & Buy for BIMA important?
The auction is a BIMA fundraising event.. All proceeds benefit the mission of BIMA, and bring an exceptional year-round program of exhibitions, classes, tours, concerts, workshops, lectures and events, presenting educational and cultural programs for people of all ages, backgrounds, interests, economic means and abilities—even remotely while we’ve all been at home!

My question is still not answered.
Please contact us at (206) 790-1710 or jmiller@biartmuseum.org.