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 Paul Chan: Breathers. Watch a short film or make art of your own. 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 Marcus Rothering in the Art Lab to try out coiling, a meditative technique typically used in basketry. You can create your own colorful loop or a wearable coiled creation.
Stop by the Bentson Mediatheque to watch a short film, screening continuously 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.
Whisper, Rustle by Maureen Zent
Watch natural materials like sand, flower petals, tree bark, and eggshells move and morph. This short, stop-motion animation celebrates the cycle of life and the potential of decay. 2021, USA, nonverbal with captions, 5 min.
Accessibility, Content, and Sensory Notes
The short 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 Gallery) contains materials that may have an aroma, such as coffee, soot, and sulfur. 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.
The exhibition Paul Chan: Breathers (Galleries A and B) contains mature language and themes. This downloadable resource provides more information about the exhibition and artwork. It also includes multiple kinetic sculptures composed of high-powered fans that inflate fabric sculptures, causing them to move. The fans produce sound.
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
Marcus Rothering (he/him) is a ceramic and fiber/textile artist living in Minneapolis. He creates large-scale sculptures with a woven-looking surface that explore such themes as African folklore and the underworld. His self-portrait wall rugs, made using a tufting gun, poke fun at awkward past memories, puberty, and teen angst. Rothering holds a BA in studio art and a minor in digital media from Metropolitan State University. He is currently working on his MFA at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in the ceramics and sculpture department. He has exhibited work at galleries and art centers including Soo Visual Art Center, Minnesota Textile Center, Fresh Eye Gallery, Paradox, John B. Davis Gallery, Tongue and Cheek, and Gordon Parks Gallery. Rothering has worked with Minneapolis Public Schools as emotional support staff, helping students regulate emotions and assisting with school work. During this time, he saw firsthand the benefits of introducing a textile art project to students dealing with crisis. His teaching style is playful and open to the many possibilities of 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.
