Sensory Friendly Sunday is a monthly event designed for kids, teens, and adults with sensory processing differences, autism spectrum disorder, or developmental disabilities. The galleries will be closed to the general public, allowing visitors to enjoy the museum in a calm environment with accommodations such as quiet spaces, fidgets, and sunglasses available. All friends and family members are welcome.
During your visit, Walker exhibitions Pao Houa Her: Paj qaum ntuj / Flowers of the Sky, Five Ways In: Themes from the Collection, and Jannis Kounellis in Six Acts will be open to explore. You can also create your own artwork with teaching artist Joli Grostephan and watch a short, family-friendly film.
Admission Tickets
While walk-ins are welcome, we encourage you to reserve your space ahead of time. Sensory Friendly Sunday is typically less busy 8–9:30 am and busier from 9:30–11 am.
On Sensory Friendly Sundays, we require visitors ages 2 and older to wear face masks inside the building to support the safety and comfort of families and attendees.
This program was created in consultation with the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) and the University of Minnesota’s Occupational Therapy Program.
Activity Information
Join teaching artist Joli Grostephan in the Art Lab to try out a new approach to painting using paint pens on a canvas made from scavenged fabric.
Stop by the Bentson Mediatheque to watch a short film, which will loop throughout the program between 8 and 11 am. Capacity is limited to 10 people at a time. This is a relaxed screening with sound reduced, appropriate for all ages. Visitors are free to come and go, move, and otherwise make themselves comfortable in the space.
The Smortlybacks by Ted Sieger and Wouter Dierickx
Charming and strange, a herd of fantastical creatures called Smortlybacks adventure across a vast landscape led by their gentle caretaker. 2013, China and Switzerland, nonverbal animation with captions, 5 min.
Bios
Twin Cities–based artist Joli Grostephan is the visual arts department manager, an instructor, and an advocate at the Interact Center for Visual and Performing Arts in St. Paul. Currently, she is working on two long-term art projects: Man-Made Minerals, a sculptural response to personal and social concerns about the effects of petroleum and other pollution on Minnesota’s waterways and soil; and an untitled series of embroideries featuring snack food. Grostephan graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 2010.
Attendance Requirements
Masks are required for Sensory Friendly Sunday visitors over the age of 2 to support the safety and comfort of attendees. If you have questions or require additional assistance, please email info@walkerart.org or call 612-375-7600.
Accessibiliity
The short film will be captioned.
To prepare for your visit, check out this Social Narrative. For more information about accessibility, call 612-375-7564 or email access@walkerart.org.
For more information about accessibility at the Walker, visit our Access page.