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 a selection of current exhibitions, make art, or watch a short film. All friends and family members are welcome.
In May, explore the exhibitions Keith Haring: Art Is for Everybody, Among Friends: The Generosity of Judy and Ken Dayton, Sadie Barnette: The New Eagle Creek Saloon, and Motion Capture: Recent Acquisitions in Media and Performance.
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 an imaginative drawing using a selection of 3D-printed stencils.
Gallery Activity, 8–11 am
Cartoons were one of artist Keith Haring’s early inspirations when he was learning to draw as a child. Visit the exhibition, then create your own miniature comic inspired by the art on view.
Short Film: Town Hall Square, 8–11 am
Stop by the Bentson Mediatheque to watch a short film about a New York City subway worker who makes an unexpected connection with a music-loving, escaped tiger. The nine-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, Content, and Sensory Notes
The short film will be captioned in English.
The exhibition Keith Haring: Art Is for Everybody includes subjects related to politics, sexuality, and the body. Several works in the exhibition contain mature content and nudity. One room in Gallery 1 includes sexually explicit imagery. Visitors do not need to walk through this room to access the rest of the exhibition. Activities planned for this event focus on kid-friendly artworks.
Videos on view may include flickering effects or sounds that change in volume, pitch, and tone. One room glows with colorful light.
The exhibition Sadie Barnette: The New Eagle Creek Saloon glows with saturated pink light throughout the gallery.
The exhibition Motion Capture: Recent Acquisitions in Media and Performance features two video rooms with reduced light levels. The videos include flashing, flickering, or disorienting visual effects and sound that changes in volume, pitch, and tone.
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
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. Hightower has partnered with library systems, including like Hennepin and Dakota Counties, to bring his unique approach to the community.
