Sensory Friendly Sunday is a monthly, free 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 a selection of current exhibitions, make art, or watch a short film.
In November, explore the exhibitions Allan Sekula: Fish Story, Among Friends: The Generosity of Judy and Ken Dayton, Make Sense of This: Visitors Respond to the Walker’s Collection, and Five Ways In: Themes from the Collection. All friends and family members are welcome.
To support the health and safety of visitors at increased risk for COVID-19, masks are required at Sensory Friendly Sunday for visitors over age 2. Accommodations are available if someone in your party is unable to tolerate masking. Please email access@walkerart.org or call 612-375-7561 for more information.
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 8–9:30 am and busier from 9:30–11 am.
Activity Information
Art-Making Activity, 8–11 am
Join Purpose Artisans in the Art Lab to create a personalized window cling inspired by something important to you.
Gallery Activity, 8–11 am
Explore the exhibition Allan Sekula: Fish Story with an interactive seek and find activity that will encourage close looking.
Short Film, 8–11 am
Stop by the Bentson Mediatheque to watch the short film Walking is Medicine by Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki). This documentary shares the story of six young Cree men known as the Nishiyuu walkers, who decided to walk from Whapmagoostui, Quebec, to Ottawa, Canada. Their journey is made in the spirit of their ancestors, whose traditions were to travel long distances in the winter, crossing frozen rivers and lakes, while meeting people from many different nations. The film is 5 minutes and will loop from 8 to 11 am. This is a relaxed screening with sound reduced. Visitors are free to come and go, move, and make themselves comfortable in the space.
Accessibility
The short film will be captioned.
To prepare for your visit, check out this Social Narrative.
For information about accessibility or to request additional accommodations for this program, call 612-375-7564 or email access@walkerart.org.
For more information about accessibility at the Walker, visit our Access page.
Bios
Purpose Artisans is a 501c3 nonprofit made up of cross-cultural mental health occupational therapists John Salgado Maldonado and Nicole Konz, who share a mission to facilitate activities promoting mental wellness and a sense of purpose and belonging. Both have experience working in clinical settings and are determined to integrate these approaches and knowledge more directly into the communities where people are living their daily lives. Purpose Artisans is based in rural Willmar, Minnesota, where they offer a variety of activities including drumming circles, Latin dance, yoga, sound experiences, arts, crafts, intercultural awareness exercises, and educational experiences, with the premise of putting people together and sharing cross-cultural encounters.
