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. Experience current Walker exhibitions Jannis Kounellis in Six Acts, Five Ways In: Themes from the Collection, and Carolyn Lazard: Long Take; make art; or watch a short film. All friends and family members are welcome.
Masks are required at Sensory Friendly Sunday for visitors over age 2.
To prepare for your visit, check out this Social Narrative. For more information about accessibility, call 612-375-7564 or email access@walkerart.org.
This program was created in consultation with the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) and the University of Minnesota’s Occupational Therapy Program.
Admission Tickets
While walk-ins are welcome, we encourage you to reserve your space ahead of time. Sensory Friendly Sunday is typically less busy from 8 to 9:30 am and busier from 9:30 to 11 am.
Activity Information
Join teaching artist Nicole Thomas in the Art Lab to create a map using letters, numbers, and symbols, inspired by the exhibition Jannis Kounellis in Six Acts. You might map your journey to the Walker, your favorite place to visit, or illustrate your own universe!
Stop by the Bentson Mediatheque to watch a short film. The film 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.
Angel’s Trumpet by Martinus Klemet
Inspired by a flowering plant called angel’s trumpet, this playful film imagines a possible next step in the evolution of hummingbirds. 2019, Estonia, nonverbal with captions, 3 min.
Accessibility
The film will be captioned.
To prepare for your visit, check out this Social Narrative.
The exhibition Jannis Kounellis in Six Acts (Galleries 1–3 and Perlman) contains materials that may have an aroma, such as coffee. Staff are happy to provide additional information. To learn more about the exhibition, visit the Walker’s website.
The exhibition Five Ways In: Themes from the Collection (Galleries 4–6) features multiple video-based artworks that include sound. Sound in the exhibition has been reduced, and some galleries feature reduced light levels. To learn more about the exhibition, visit the Walker’s website.
The exhibition Carolyn Lazard: Long Take (Gallery 7) features very low light levels and a sound-based artwork with volume lowered during the program. To learn more about the exhibition, visit the Walker’s website.
For more information about accessibility or to request additional accommodations, call 612-375-7564 or email access@walkerart.org.
For more information about accessibility at the Walker, visit our Access page.
Bios
Nicole Thomas (she/they) is an interdisciplinary artist and educator practicing in Minneapolis. Her artwork balances the act of play and memory processing, and she strives to answer questions about how to provide comfort and grounding spaces for marginalized or underserved communities through various sensory experiences. She was recently an artist in residence at Chautauqua School of Art and their work has been exhibited at galleries including Fowler-Kellogg Art Center, Textile Center, Fresh Eye Gallery, Rosalux Gallery, Regis Center for Art at the University of Minnesota, and Public Functionary. They hold a BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and continued pursuing teaching through the Professional Development for Teaching Artists Workshop at the Walker Art Center. Throughout their teaching artist career, Thomas has facilitated art activities for K–12 students, adults, families, and participants with sensory processing differences. Teaching is a way for her to connect with the community’s stories, and her style of teaching encourages curiosity, playfulness, creative storytelling, and problem solving.
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.