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 Walker exhibitions, make art, or watch a short film. All friends and family members are welcome.
In April, explore the exhibitions Sadie Barnette: The New Eagle Creek Saloon, Motion Capture: Recent Acquisitions in Media and Performance, Tetsuya Yamada: Listening, and Five Ways In: Themes from the Collection.
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
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 9:30–11 am.
Activity Information
Art-Making Activity, 8–11 am
Join teaching artist Sam Hightower to create a textured clay slab using a selection of 3D-printed rollers.
Gallery Activity, 8–11 am
Hunt for artworks made with materials like clay, wood, and string in the exhibition Tetsuya Yamada: Listening, then visit a tactile sample station to explore these materials through touch.
Short Film: Le voyage délivré (The Released Journey), 8–11 am
Stop by the Bentson Mediatheque to watch a family friendly short film. In a gentle animation set to a poem by Andrée Chedid, a young child’s imagination takes flight while playing with a special set of blocks. The three-minute film will loop from 8–11 am. This is a relaxed screening with sound reduced. Visitors are free to come and go, move, and otherwise make themselves comfortable in the space.
Accessibility
The short film will be captioned in English.
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.
Bio
Sam Hightower (he/him) utilizes his expertise at the junction of art and technology. Through “Make with Sam,” he curates engaging learning experiences that ignite curiosity and design skills in participants. A firm believer in leveraging current technologies, Hightower empowers future generations to explore their artistic potential. His programs provide engaging instruction, making it easy for anyone to jump in and create something amazing. Designed to be fun, interactive, and confidence-building, these programs help individuals unlock their artistic talents. He has also partnered with library systems, such as Hennepin and Dakota County, to bring his unique approach to the community.
