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 October, explore the exhibitions This Must Be the Place: Inside the Walker’s Collection, Collection in Focus: Mungo Thomson, and Walter Price: Pearl Lines.
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.
Activity Information
Art-Making Activity, 8–11 am
In this activity, experiment with designing stamps and printing with them. Printmaking is an art form in which designs are created on a surface and transferred onto paper, allowing for multiple copies of the same image.
Gallery Activity, 8–11 am
Communication is all about self-expression! Choose a color to indicate how you want to communicate with other people. Instead of badges, we’ll be using medallions inspired by Walter Price’s painting Pedestal Lady. Choose a medallion, decorate it, and show off your personality.
Short Film: The Kite by Martin Smatana, 8–11 am
Stop by the Bentson Mediatheque to watch a short, animated film called The Kite. In this film, a grandson flies a kite with his grandpa. The film is 13 minutes and will loop between 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. Content note: Some of the content in this film may be difficult for sensitive and/or young children. Five minutes into the story, the grandson navigates the aging and loss of his grandfather. The two reunite 9 minutes into the film.
Admission Tickets
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 from 9:30 to 11 am.
Accessibility, Content, and Sensory Notes
The short film will be captioned in English.
The exhibition This Must Be the Place: Inside the Walker’s Collection includes two video rooms with reduced light levels, and a 16mm film projection that features both a soundtrack and the sound of the projector running. Some videos include flashing, flickering, or disorienting visual effects and sound that changes in volume, pitch, and tone.
The exhibition Collection in Focus: Mungo Thomson includes flickering effects and changes in volume, pitch, and tone.
The short film The Kite features content that may be difficult for sensitive and/or young children. Five minutes into the story, the grandson navigates the aging and loss of his grandfather. The two reunite 9 minutes into the film.
To prepare for your visit, check out this Social Narrative
For more information about accessibility visit our Access page.
For questions on accessibility, or to request additional accommodations, call 612-375-7564 or email access@walkerart.org.
Bio
Twin Cities–based artist Pablo Helm Hernandez’s (he/him) work includes painting, illustrating, and rug making, drawing inspiration from his Mexican heritage, Mexico’s vibrant cultures, and the sheer amount of creativity that exists within the human soul. Recently, he has been painting large-scale murals, small-scale pieces, and working in sculptural fabrication, constructing film sets and props. He is particularly interested in murals and public art projects that involve community engagement, combining all his passions. Helm Hernandez has worked with numerous organizations within Minnesota and across the country, including Cleve Carney Museum of Art, City of Minneapolis Arts and Cultural Affairs Department, Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES), Tangible Collective, and (Neo)Muralismos de Mexico.
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