ART BEYOND SIGHT AWARENESS MONTH
Calendar of Events
July 15 – October 1
Utah State Library, Salt Lake City, invites Utah artists of all ages who are blind, visually or physically disabled and/or have reading or learning disabilities by law to submit entries to its “Utah 2009: Art Beyond Gounds” exhibit, co-sponsored by the Utah State Library, Utah Arts Council and Utah State History. Entries are limited to three original works per artist. For details, visit the library’s Website: www.blindlibrary.utah.gov, or contact Jeri Openshaw, (801) 715-6737, or Krista Griffith, (801) 715-6790.
Charlotte Art League, in collaboration with the Metrolina Association for the Blind, NC, is offering classes and workshops for students who are visually impaired. They are being held at the Art League building on Camden Road. Students will have opportunities to experiment with a variety of media, including ceramics, and with drawing, painting, and collage and assemblage. An exhibit of their work will be held in October (details below). For more information, contact Sandra Gray at (704) 376-2878 or sandramgray@earthlink.net.
August 13 - November 24
National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, Japan presents ‘The Universe of Braille: Celebrating Louis Braille's Bicentennial’. The Tactile Possibilities Braille introduces Commemorative stamps of Louis Braille from around the world, Helen Keller’s Braille library, the Gunsho Ruiju (a multi-volume anthology of classical Japanese literary and historical texts), Braille devices from around the world, Braille plates, textbooks written in Braille from World War II, atlases, and Braille picture-books.
For further information, call 06-6878-8532 or go to http://www.minpaku.ac.jp/english/museum/
September 10 – January 6, 2010
S. Dillon Ripley Center, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC and VSA arts present an exhibition of 15 emerging artists with disabilities. The exhibition illustrates the many personal reasons that accelerate the desire to create. Following this debut at the Smithsonian, the exhibit will tour for two years. For more information visit www.vsarts.org/accelerate or call (202) 628-2800.
September 22, 2009
The Eye Care Center at Southern California College of California, Fullerton, celebrates the opening of its Fifth Annual “Shared Visions 2009-2010 International Art Exhibit” with a 7 to 9 p.m. reception. The exhibit features 90 works of art by blind and legally blind and will be on display at the Eye Care Center through mid-August, 2010. Local Southern California artists are featured, as are artists from across the United States, and from Israel and Canada. For details contact Arlene Kaye at (714) 992-7865 or akaye@scco.edu.
September 25 - October 5
The 6th International Theater Festival of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Zagreb, Croatia, features companies from England, Slovenia, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and the United States, including Theater Breaking Through Barriers (TBTB). The New York City-based TBTB is presenting the international premiere of John Belluso’s play about disability, “A Nervous Smile.” For more information, call or email Ike Schambelan at (212) 243-4337 or ischambelan@nyc.rr.com.
September 29
The Museum of Modern Art, NYC, invites you to Art inSight, a 2 to 4 p.m. program for individuals who are blind or partially sighted. Each month, specially trained MoMA lecturers highlight specific themes, artists, or exhibitions through verbal description and touch. This month’s tour will focus on the special exhibition “Ron Arad: No Discipline.” Wheelchairs, portable stools, FM headsets for sound enhancement, and large-print and Braille information brochures are available. Service animals are welcome. This program is free of charge. Space is limited and preregistration is required. For more information or to register, call Access Programs at 212-408-6347 or e-mail accessprograms@moma.org.
September 29, October 1-6, 8, 9, 12-13, 15-19
Chicago Children’s Museum offers Texture Paintings workshops featuring projects that are as much fun for your hands as they are for your eyes. Use brushes, sand and your hands to create artwork you can feel. Workshops are held at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. unless otherwise noted; check www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org for details, or contact Kim Koin, (312) 527-1000 or kkoin@chicagochildrensmuseum.org. Workshops are free with museum admission.
September 30
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, offers its Met Escapes program for people with dementia and their caregivers as a way to explore art and the Museum’s collections in a friendly, safe environment. Three types of interactive workshops occur on select Wednesdays and Sundays: gallery tours, art-making sessions, and exploring works of art through touch. Reservations are required by calling (212) 650-2010 or sending an e-mailing access@metmuseum.org.
October 1 - 31
Contemporary Art Center of Virginia, Virginia Beach, features “Beyond Boundaries!” This exhibition of contemporary art was designed specifically for individuals with impaired vision; it includes artworks by davmo recreated in tactile prints, Gene Koss’ outdoor sculpture, and a multi-sensory installation of Sandra Luckett’s work. Verbal description tours of the exhibit are available by appointment for children and adults on Tuesdays through Fridays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. To arrange a tour, contact Holly Ackiss, Gallery and Youth Program Manager, by phone: (757) 425-0000, ext 23, or email: holly@cacv.org. For more on the exhibit, visit the museum’s Website: www.cacv.org.
Miami Art Museum has free Touch Tours of public art surrounding the museum (weather permitting) and audio description tours in the galleries. Tours can be scheduled Tuesdays through Fridays by calling the education department at (305) 375-4073. For directions and exhibition information please visit: www.miamiartmuseum.org.
Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK, has no exhibition admission charge for people with disabilities or their caregivers.All V&A events are accessible to people with vision loss; in addition, BSL interpretation and other support is available. Anyone requiring assistance should arrange this in advance by calling 020 7942 2211 or sending an e-mail to bookings.office@vam.ac.uk. Touch objects, large-print materials and tactile books are available in a number of galleries. Screen readers and other magnification technology are available on computer terminals in the National Art Library. Call 020 7942 2211 if you would like to be added to the museum’s database or send an e-mail to disability@vam.ac.uk if you prefer to receive events programs by e-mail. An access guide of the museum is available in accessible formats.
The Children's Museum of Phoenix has two drop-in programs on Tuesdays through Sundays. In the Junior League of Phoenix classroom activities include Braille alphabet rubbings, raised-line drawings, and texture and scent boxes. Hours alternate daily from 9 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. In the Art Studio activities include Braille number rubbings, sawdust spiders, and playing at a sand table. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For details, contact Kelley Fitzsimmons at 602-648-2753 or kfitzsimmons@childmusephx.org.
The National Archaeological Museum of Athens, Greece, has two special programs, one for adults, titled: “Introducing the Drinking pots in Antiquity,” and the other for children, titled: “Toys and Games in Antiquity.” Both programs include a tour of the museum’s Vase Collection and hands-on sessions with replicas of ancient Greek vases and toys. Please contact dimosiessxeseis.eam@culture.gr for specifics.
The Rubin Museum of Art, NYC, offers Verbal Imaging and Touch Tours. Free with museum admission, tours are one-hour in length and take visitors on a journey interweaving the arts, history, religion, and culture of the Himalayas. Group and individual tours are offered. To schedule a tour, please contact Group Visits at 212-620-5000 ext. 345, or email reservations@rmanyc.org. For directions and exhibition information, please visit: www.rmanyc.org.
October 1 to November 19
The Taha Hussein Library for the Blind and Visually Impaired offers a Sculpting workshop for students of all ages who are blind or visually impaired. Students will work with modelling clay and the Workshop is free of Charge. For reigstration or additional information please call Kariem Saleh at (+203) 4839999 Extension: 1500 or by e-mail: Kariem.Saleh@bibalex.org
October 1
Touch Tour at the Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke, VA, offers a Touch Tour from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. On the tour, visitors will explore the 19th century American Art collection. This program is $6 per person, and registration is required. Please contact Abbie Edens, Head of Youth and Family Education at (540) 204-4107 or by email at aedens@taubmanmuseum.org.
Dallas Museum of Art offers Thursday Night Specials! Make It/Take It from 6:30–8:30 p.m. Participants are invited to try a new material or technique to expand their artistic imagination. For more information, visit www.DallasMuseumofArt.org/C3 or call (214) 922-1311 or (214) 922-1822.
October 2
The Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, offers audio description for the film “Fargo” at 7:30 p.m. The movie is being screened as part of Joel and Ethan Coen: Raising Cain, a film retrospective at the Walker in September and October. Those interested in“Fargo” should contact Melissa Schedler at (612) 253.3555.
October 3
The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, MD, has a 10:30 a.m. touch tour focused on Greek and Roman Art and Myths. Docents will tell Greek and Roman myths and visitors may follow along in Braille. For details, contact Tyson Fogel at (410) 230-2453 or by e-mail at tfogel@lbph.lib.md.us
The New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center Biennial Fall Festival, Trenton, is hosting a special event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its headquarters at 2300 Stuyvesant Avenue. The event kicks off New Jersey’s state-wide celebration of Blindness Awareness Month. Speakers include author Mary Jane Clark and members of the John Hopkins University Engineering Department. The latter will discuss cutting edge white cane technology using GPS and radar technology. Other events include a children’s story hour featuring the Garden State Story Teller’s League; a prototype NASCAR accessible race car with dual controls so people with a physical or visual disability can experience sitting, touching, and for a $10 fee driving a race car; the Philadelphia Zoo Touch & Tactile Animal Workshop; touchable sculptures from Grounds for Sculpture; and vendor exhibits. The event also provides an opportunity to film your story for YouTube. For more on this celebration, call (800) 792-8322, or visit http://www.njlbh.org/fallfestival.pdf.
The Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, celebrates Especially Artful Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Events include Guided Touch and American Sign Language-interpreted tours in the Sculpture Garden; a noon drama workshop for children with autism; adaptable print making conducted by the Octopuses Garden Art Alliance and other art making opportunities provided by the Omaha Public Library and Joslyn staff; a student art exhibit; and entertainment by mime Ricky Smith. Special guest artist Ann Cunningham will debut her new tactile art – her interpretations of several works in the museum. Admission is free from 10 a.m. to noon. For the full schedule, contact Matt Clouse at (402) 661-3878 or by e-mail at mclouse@joslyn.org.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, promotes artistic exploration for adults who are blind or partially sighted and their companions through this monthly 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. drawing class titled “Seeing through Drawing.” Reservations are required; call (212) 650-2010 or e-mail access@metmuseum.org.
Oct. 4-28
St. Augustine Art Association presents The 8th ANNUAL TACTILE ART SHOW. A juried exhibit of works by local artists that includes sculpture, fiber, metalworks, ceramics, mixed media, glass and interactive art. Students from the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind prepare Braille labels for each piece of artwork entered into the show. The FSDB children are given private tours of the exhibit during its run. The Textile Arts Guild of St. Augustine will honor its founder by awarding The Nancy Garrard Memorial for Best Fiber Art. For information, call 904.824.2310 or email staaa@bellsouth.net. Visit us online at www.staaa.org.
October 4
The Lithuanian Library for the Blind presents the 4th annual tactile book competition. The tactile books will be exhibited at the library through September and October.
Library's Tiflotyros department invites to come to the library and see the orginal book "Art beyond sight. A resource guide to art, creativity, and visual impairment" and its Lithuanian version "Menas anapus regėjimo. Žinynas apie meną, kūrybą ir regėjimo sutrikimus". Also, librarians at Tiflotyros department will inform on the holdings of tactile graphics, tactile maps, etc. Please contact Audrone Gendviliene at a.gendviliene@labiblioteka.lt
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, offers Met Escapes, aprogram for people with dementia and their caregivers, as a way to explore art and the Museum’s collections in a friendly, safe environment. Three types of interactive workshops occur on select Wednesdays and Sundays: gallery tours, art-making sessions, and exploring works of art through touch. Reservations are required by calling (212) 650-2010 or e-mailing access@metmuseum.org.
October 5 - 30
Charlotte Art League, in collaboration with the Metrolina Association for the Blind, NC, has an exhibition of works by artists who are visually impaired and art for people with vision loss created by sighted artists. For artist information on participation and for exhibit hours, contact Sandra Gray at (704) 376-2787or by e-mail at: sandramgray@earthlink.net.
October 5-December 17
The Woman’s Board of The Hadley School for the Blind in Winnetka, IL will hold its annual braille holiday card sale with proceeds benefitting Hadley and supporting its tuition-free distance education programs for blind and visually impaired students and their families. $28 for a box of 25 cards plus shipping. Imprinting available for an extra charge. Braille photo cards also available. Beginning October 5, call 800-323-4238 or order online at www.hadley.edu/holidaycard.
October 5
The Jewish Museum of Art, NYC, offers “Culture and Continuity: The Jewish Journey,”.a verbal imaging tour at 1:15 p.m. For details, please call or send an e-mail to Meredith Wong at (212) 423-3225 or mwong@thejm.org.
October 6
Art Gallery of Hamilton, Canada, offers Touch Tours introducing visitors to the splendor of the Canadian landscape through two works by Group of Seven members Lawren Harris and J.E.H. MacDonald; in addition, a bronze sculpture by Canadian artist Louis-Phillippe Hébert and one from the gallery’s European collection will allow visitors to interact with original art. The tour will start at 2.00pm. For more information, please e-mail or call Laurie Kilgour-Walsh at laurie@artgalleryofhamiton.com or (90) 527-6610, ext. 272
Andrew Heiskell Library, NYC, in collaboration with Art Education for the Blind, offer, an art-making workshop on Venetian masks. Learn about Venetian masks and decorate your own. The workshop will be help in the conference room of the library from 2 to 3 p.m. For more information and to registration contact Rachelle Stein at stein@nypl.org or call (212) 206-5400. The library is located at 40 West 20th Street.
October 7
Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa, welcomes the Athlone School for the Blind from 10 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. The students’ visit will feature multi-sensory discussions of selected works on view in the gallery, a related music workshop, and a practical art workshop to encourage individual creative responses to concepts explored during the walkabouts and making music. For information, send an e-mail to Sandra Eastwood at johneast@iafrica.com
October 8
Dallas Museum of Art hosts its Thursday Night Specials!Tech Lab: Open Lab from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Ever wonder what it means to blog or tag? Curious about podcasting? Visitors can experiment with these and other new media and technology at this event. TEchXPERTS introduce new technology in drop-in, hands-on sessions. For more information, visit www.DallasMuseumofArt.org/C3. or call (214) 922-1311 or (214) 922-1822.
Nationalmuseum, Stockholm
Guided tour for the visually impaired of the temporary exhibitions Caspar David Friedrich - Nature Animated and Friedrich - Eight Contemporary Commentaries.
Meeting at 11.15 am: across from the admissions desk, ground floor. Museum admission only. For details please contact Jeanette Rangner Jacobsson at +46 (0)8 5195 4394 or jrr@nationalmuseum.se.
October 9
The Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke, VA, features artist Chris Youngblood at itsBox Lunch Forum from noon to 1 p.m. The Floyd, Virginia, artist has had low vision since birth and is legally blind. She will be speaking about her experience and influences. This program is free, but registration is required. Please contact Frank Giannini, Head of Young Adult and Adult Education at (540) 204.4108 or fgiannini@taubmanmuseum.org.
The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, offers a 1 p.m. Studio activity: Greek and Roman Art. Participants will experiment with ancient and contemporary techniques and tools and create a relief sculpture in clay. Please contact Tyson Fogel at (410) 230-2453 or tfogel@lbph.lib.md.us
October 10
The Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, offers three 11:30 a.m. public tours in October that feature touch components and verbal description. The tours, which will focus on the Walker’s collection galleries, are free with the price of admission. Tours are limited to ten participants, first come first served basis. For more information, call or e-mail Courtney Gerber at (612) 375.7574 or courtney.gerber@walkerart.org
The Envision Low Vision Rehabilitation Center Arts Program, Wichita, Kansas - Children who are blind or visually impaired will celebrate Eric Carle’s 80th birthday and the 40th anniversary of The Very Hungry Caterpillar! The celebration will include creating paper mache caterpillars and tissue paper butterflies as they explore Eric Carle’s art. Children will play games, sing songs, listen to stories and eat Caterpillar goodies!
For more information contact Bonnie Cochran @ bonnie.cochran@envisionus.com
Dallas Museum of Art offers Family Workshops with Guest Artist John Bramblitt, at 1:00-1:45 p.m., 1:45-2:30 p.m., and 2:30-3:15 p.m. John Bramblitt will join us for a hands-on family workshop and a demonstration of his process and life as a blind painter. His workshops are unique in the art world in that they not only span the gap between beginning and professional artists, but also include adaptive techniques for people with disabilities.
Workshops begin every 45 minutes, space is limited
Learn new ways of painting! Instead of using eyesight, families will rely on their imagination, creativity, memory, and sense of touch to create a unique painting. During the workshop, participants will have the chance to discuss the process of painting with artist John Bramblitt. Please contact Amanda Blake at ablake@DallasMuseumofArt.org or call (214) 922-1311 or (214) 922-1822.
October 11
Art Gallery of Hamilton, Canada, has a Touch Tour to introduce visitors with vision loss to the splendor of the Canadian landscape. For details, contact Laurie Kilgour-Walsh at (905) 527-6610, ext. 272, or laurie@artgalleryofhamiton.com.
The Museum of Modern Art, NYC, invites you to Create Ability, a program for individuals with learning or developmental disabilities and their families. The theme is Forms with Function: Objects of Design. The program is free of charge. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Reservations may be made one month in advance. For more information or to register, call Access Programs at (212) 408-6347 or e-mail accessprograms@moma.org.
October 12
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) offers free community days. Tours for families and adults, as well as art-making activities for children and other events are accessible to people who are blind or have low vision, as well as those with other disabilities. For more information or to secure a sighted guide, call 617-369-3302.
October 13
Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke, VA, has a guided Touch Tour from 11 a.m. to noon; the tour will explore the art of Thomas Eakins and Susan MacDowell Eakins. This program is $6per person and registration is required. Please contact Abbie Edens, Head of Youth and Family Education, at (540) 204-4107 or aedens@taubmanmuseum.org.
The Museum of Modern Art, NYC, offers Meet Me at MoMA, a program for individuals with Alzheimer’s and their family members or care partners. Meet Me at MoMA provides a forum for dialogue through looking at art. Specially trained MoMA educators highlight themes, artists, or exhibitions during an interactive program in the MoMA galleries. The 2:30 to 4 p.m. program is free, but space is limited and preregistration is required. Reservations may be made one month in advance. For more information or to register, call Access Programs at (212) 408-6347 or e-mail accessprograms@moma.org.
Tohono Chul Park, Tucson, CO,Touch Wood: A Hands-on Tour of Lynne Yamaguchi’s Turned Bowl.
Tohono Chul Park invites the Tucson community and local vision loss organizations to join us for Touch Wood: A Hands-on Tour of Lynne Yamaguchi’s Turned Bowls. Lynne Yamaguchi, the Park’s Artist of the Month for October, will have a display of her bowls in the Exhibit House through the month. Touch Wood is an opportunity to meet her and to handle a selection of her elegant turned wood bowls. Lynne will be in the Park’s Children’s Ramada on Tuesday, October 13, from 10am to noon and from 1pm to 3pm. Please contact, Peggy Hazard, Assistant Exhibit Curator at (520) 742-6455 x217 or peggyhazard@tohonochulpark.org (after Oct 5)
October 15
Touch Tour at the Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke, VA has a 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Touch Tour of itsContemporary Art gallery. This program is $6.00 per person and registration is required. Please contact Abbie Edens, Head of Youth and Family Education, at (540) 204.4107 or aedens@taubmanmuseum.org.
Dallas Museum of Art hosts its Thursday Night Specials! DIY@DMA at 7:30 p.m. This monthly event enables museum visitors to join artists for art-inspired Do-It-Yourself projects. For details, visit the museum’s Web site: www.DallasMuseumofArt.org/C3, or call (214) 922-1311 or (214) 922-1822.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, invites you to Picture This! Workshops: Robert Frank: The Americans for adults who are blind or partially sighted. The workshops make works of art accessible through detailed descriptions, touch, and other activities to awaken the senses. The programs runs from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Reservations are required by calling (212) 650-2010 or e-mailing access@metmuseum.org.
The Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY, presents Art Sense-Actions for Individuals who are Blind or Visually Impaired: a verbal description tour of the permanent collection, followed by a hands-on art activity. The program runs from 2 to 4 p.m. The program is free, but registration is required. Contact Julie Cox at (71) 270-8249 or jcox@albrightknox.org.
October 16 and 17
Art Education for the Blind (AEB) and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, present the third biennial international conference on multimodal approaches to learning. The conference addresses the challenges faced by educators, artists, museum professionals, architects and designers to create learning opportunities and inclusive learning environments that better serve all audiences, and meet the needs of learners with sensory impairment or those who use different learning styles. The official registration form is posted on http://www.artbeyondsight.org/change/aw-conference-2009.shtml
If you wish to have the form emailed to you, send your name and email address to: aeb@artbeyondsight.org; put “October Conference” in the subject line.
October 16 - November 20
VSA arts of Colorado and the Colorado Center for the Blind, Denver, are hosting their second annual six-week juried art show titled “Close Your Eyes, Open Your Mind.” The show features tactile art, interactive art experiences, and fun learning events. The show is held at VSA arts’ Access Gallery, located at 909 Santa Fe Drive. For details, contact Ann Cunningham at (303) 238-4760 or ann@sensationalbooks.com.
October 16 – January 4, 2010
Utah State Library, Utah Arts Council and Utah State History, Salt Lake City, are co-sponsoring an exhibition of the work of Utah artists with disabilities at the Mezzanine at the Rio Gallery, 300 South Rio Grande Street. The gallery is open Mondays through Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is an opening reception for artists and the general public on October 16, from 6 to 9 p.m.
October 17
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI, offers its Art Beyond Sight workshop: Birds in Art from1 to 3 p.m.Docents make art accessible for all through a touch tour of the museum's sculpture garden, exploration of tactiles (raised-line drawings of artworks), and art-making opportunities. For details, call or send an e-mail to: Erin Narloch, at (715) 845.7010 or enarloch@lywam.org.
Birmingham Museum of Art, AL, presents Hands Across Art, a tour for the visually impaired, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. This tour engages visitors with a multi-sensory approach to the visual arts, including music, verbal descriptions, and tactile reproductions. All are welcome, but reservations are required. Please call Lauren Williams at (205) 254-2571 to reserve a spot.
October 18
The Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, has an 11:30 a.m. tour with touch components and verbal description. The tour, which will focus on the Walker’s collection galleries, is free with the price of admission. Tours are limited to ten participants, on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact Courtney Gerber at (612) 375-7574 or courtney.gerber@walkerart.org
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum, NYC, offers a touch and verbal description tour of its newest program, The Moores: An Irish Family in America. Experience the heart of the immigrant saga through the music of Irish America, then tour the restored home of the Moore family, Irish-Catholic immigrants coping with the death of a child in 1869. Compare the Moore's struggle to keep their family healthy with that of the Katz family, Russian-Jewish immigrants who left their “mark” on our building in the 1930s. The hour-and-a-half tour will begin at the Museum’s Visitor Center at 108 Orchard Street at 2:45 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. Visit the Museum’s Web site at www.tenement.org for more information. To attend, RSVP by Wednesday, October 14, to Sarah Litvin at Slitvin@tenement.org.
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, NYC, offers a combination Verbal Imaging and Touch Tour focused on the Kandinsky retrospective and the Frank Lloyd Wright building. The tour will begin promptly at 10:15 a.m. Admission is free. Please meet just inside the main entrance to the museum. The Museum is located at 1071 Fifth Avenue at 89th Street. Please contact Georgia Krantz at gkrantz@GUGGENHEIM.ORG.
October 19
Art Education for the Blind’s Annual Telephone Conference Crash Course will be held from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on Monday, October 19. Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy, will join Elisabeth Axel, founder and President of Art Education for the Blind, to open the course at 9 a.m. Experts will look, among other topics, into inclusiveness and accessibility policy in museums, evaluation tools for accessibility programs and visitors studies, and the re-representation of disabilities in museums and galleries. For the full schedule and list of speakers, go to: http://www.artbeyondsight.org/change/aw-crashcourse.shtml
October 20
Art Gallery of Hamilton, Canada, offers Touch Tours introducing visitors to the splendor of the Canadian landscape. The tour will start at 2.00pm. For details, contact Laurie Kilgour-Walsh at laurie@artgalleryofhamiton.com or (905) 527-6610, ext. 272.
October 21
Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa, welcomes the Lighthouse Club for the Blind and the Helen Keller Hostel from 10 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. The program includes multi sensory discussions of selected works on view in the gallery, a related music workshop, and a practical art workshop to encourage individual creative responses to concepts explored during the walkabouts and making music. Send an e-mail to Sandra Eastwood at johneast@iafrica.com
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, offers its Met Escapesprogram for people with dementia and their caregivers as a way to explore art and the Museum’s collections in a friendly, safe environment. Reservations are required by calling (212) 650-2010 or sending an e-mail to access@metmuseum.org.
October 22
Dallas Museum of Art celebrates Thursday Night Specials! Material of the Month: Uncovered, from6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The display features the raw materials used in works of art in the museum’s collections. For more information, visit the museum’s Web site at www.DallasMuseumofArt.org/C3 or call (214) 922-1311 or (214) 922-1822.
October 23
The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, has a Mobility Tour on Renaissance Art beginning at 2 p.m. The tour features the art of 15th- and 16th-century Italy. To register for it, contact Tyson Fogel by phone at (410) 230-2453, or by email at tfogel@lbph.lib.md.us.
October 24
Colorado Ballet, Denver, is hosting an audio described performance of Don Quixot at theEllie Caulkins Opera House, located at 14th and Curtis. Contact Ticketing Services at (303) 837.8888 and give the code SENS89 for discounted tickets. Details about the ballet can be found at: www.coloradoballet.org.
The American Folk Art Museum, NYC, invites blind and partially sighted visitors to explore the world of Folk Art with an educator though verbal descriptions and discussion from 1 to 2 p.m. For more information, please call (212) 265.1040 x 148, or send an email to jkalter@folkartmuseum.org
The Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, has an 11:30 a.m. tour with touch components and verbal description. The tour, free with the price of admission ($10; free for Walker members), is limited to 10 participants, on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact Courtney Gerber at (612) 375-7574 or courtney.gerber@walkerart.org
The Envision Low Vision Rehabilitation Center of Wichita Kansas – In collaboration with Accessible Arts of Kansas City, Kansas, Envision Kids Club members will attend 99 Drums! This is a music and cultural camp for youth who are blind or visually impaired that offers a full day of interactive music and dance workshops exploring Mexican, West African, Middle Eastern and Brazilian cultures.
For more information contact Bonnie Cochran @ bonnie.cochran@envisionus.com
October 25
The Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke, VA, continues its Sunday musical performances in the Atrium with entertained by the 3-Ds. This local trio, in which two of the members are visually impaired, plays Bluegrass, Irish and Folk music. This program is free and registration is not required. For time and other details, contact Abbie Edens, Head of Youth and Family Education, at (540) 204-4107 or by e-mail at aedens@taubmanmuseum.org.
Art Gallery of Hamilton, Canada, offers Touch Tours introducing visitors to the splendor of the Canadian landscape through two works by Group of Seven members Lawren Harris and J.E.H. MacDonald, a bronze sculpture by Canadian artist Louis-Phillippe Hébert, and an artwork in the European collection. The tour allows visitors to interact with original art. For more information, contact Laurie Kilgour-Walsh at laurie@artgalleryofhamiton.com or (905) 527-6610, ext. 272
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, offers its Discoveries program for children and adults with developmental and learning disabilities and accompanying friends, family members, and staff. The workshop includes a thematic gallery tour and art-making activity. It is free, but advance reservations are required by calling (212) 650-2010 or e-mailing access@metmuseum.org.
October 27
The Museum of Modern Art, NYC, hosts Art inSight, a program for individuals who are blind or partially sighted. The tour, from 2 to 4 p.m., focuses on a special exhibition, Monet’s Water Lilies. Wheelchairs, portable stools, FM headsets for sound enhancement, and large-print and Braille information brochures are available. Service animals are welcome. This program is free, but space is limited so preregistration is required. Reservations may be made one month in advance. For more information or to register, call Access Programs at (212) 408-6347 or e-mail accessprograms@moma.org
October 29
Dallas Museum of Art continues its Thursday Night Specials! Creative Process: Inside Out, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. This week’s guest artists will discuss their creative process and show samples of their materials.Join guest artist John Bramblitt in a participatory workshop and demonstration of his work and talk about his process as a painter.
For more information, visit www.DallasMuseumofArt.org/C3, or call (214) 922-1311 or (214) 922-1822.
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) welcomes people who are blind or have low vision to visit the Morse Study Room and examine some world class prints up close and learn about printmaking processes. Printmaking blocks and plates, as well as sample prints are available for tactile exploration. Part one of a three part series (which will also include papermaking) is being held from 1:30 – 4:00 pm. Call 617-369-3189 or email access@mfa.org for more information.
November 1
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) welcomes people who are blind or have low vision to request tours of either the permanent collection or special exhibitions. In addition to tour requests, the MFA hosts an introductory series of monthly sessions for visitors who are blind or have low vision and want to have a deeper and/or ongoing relationship with the Museum. The introductory series includes an orientation to the physical space, as well as to the amenities and art of a specific section of the Museum. Meeting time is 10.30 am. Call 617-369-3189 or email access@mfa.org for more information.
The Museum of Modern Art, NYC, invites you to Create Ability, a monthly program for individuals with learning or developmental disabilities and their families. This month’s theme is Points of View: Perspective in Art. The program is free of charge. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Reservations may be made one month in advance. For more information or to register, call Access Programs at 212-408-6347 or e-mail accessprograms@moma.org.
November 7
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, welcomes children who are blind or partially sighted and their families to attend Picture This! Family Program from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The topic will be the art of the Pacific Islands. Reservations are required by calling (212) 650-2010, or sending an e-mail to access@metmuseum.org.
November 8
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, offers its Met Escapes program for people with dementia and their caregivers as a way to explore art and the Museum’s collections in a friendly, safe environment. Reservations are required by calling (212) 650-2010 or emailing access@metmuseum.org.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, offers its Discoveries program for children and adults with developmental and learning disabilities and accompanying friends, family members, and staff. The workshop includes a thematic gallery tour and art-making activity. The workshop is free, but advance reservations are required by calling (212) 650-2010 or emailing access@metmuseum.org.
November 10
The Museum of Modern Art, NYC, invites you to Meet Me at MoMA, a once-a-month program for individuals with Alzheimer’s and their family members or care partners. Meet Me at MoMA provides a forum for dialogue through looking at art. Specially trained MoMA educators highlight themes, artists, or exhibitions during an interactive program in the MoMA galleries. The program runs from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and is free. Space is limited so preregistration is required. Reservations may be made one month in advance. For more information or to register, call Access Programs at (212) 408-6347 or send an e-mail to accessprograms@moma.org.
November 11
Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town, welcomes the Astra Centre for Sheltered Employment from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. The program will consist of multi sensory discussions of selected works on view in the gallery, a related music workshop and a practical art workshop to encourage individual creative responses to concepts explored during the walkabouts and making music. For details, send an email to Sandra Eastwood at johneast@iafrica.com
November 12
The Museum of Modern Art, NYC, invites you to Interpreting MoMA, a program for deaf adults. This once-a-month program begins with a wine and cheese reception, followed by a private gallery talk with sign language interpretation. It runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m. This month’s program will tour the special exhibition Bauhaus 1919-1933: Workshops for Modernity. This program is free of charge. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Reservations may be made one month in advance. For more information or to register, e-mail accessprograms@moma.org.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, invites you to Picture This! Workshops:Watteau, Music and Theater, for adults who are blind or partially sighted. The monthly 2 to 3:30 p.m. workshop makes works of art accessible through detailed descriptions, touch, and other activities to awaken the senses. Reservations are required by calling (212) 650-2010 or e-mailing access@metmuseum.org.
November 14
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, promotes artistic exploration for adults who are blind or partially sighted and their companions through the monthly drawing class from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., entitled “Seeing through Drawing.” Reservations are required by calling (212) 650-2010 or e-mailing access@metmuseum.org.
November 15
The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers its Discoveries program for children and adults with developmental and learning disabilities and accompanying friends, family members, and staff. The program includes a thematic gallery tour and art-making activity. It’s free, but advance reservations are required by calling (212) 650-2010 or e-mailing access@metmuseum.org.
November 17
The Museum of Modern Art, NYC, invites you to Art inSight, a program for individuals who are blind or partially sighted. The 2 to 4 p.m. tour, featuring verbal description and touch, focuses on the special exhibition Bauhaus 1919-1933: Workshops for Modernity. Wheelchairs, portable stools, FM headsets for sound enhancement, and large print and Braille information brochures are available. Service animals are welcome. This program is free of charge. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Reservations may be made one month in advance. For more information or to register, call Access Programs at (212) 408-6347 or e-mail accessprograms@moma.org.
November 18
Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town, welcomes the Mary Harding School for the Intellectually Impaired from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. The program features discussions of selected works on view in the gallery, a related music workshop, and a practical art workshop to encourage individual creative responses to concepts explored during the walkabouts and making music. For details, send an email to Sandra Eastwood at johneast@iafrica.com
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, offers its Met Escapes program for people with dementia and their caregivers as a way to explore art and the Museum’s collections in a friendly, safe environment. Three different types of interactive workshops occur on select Wednesdays and Sundays: gallery tours, art-making sessions, and exploring works of art through touch. Reservations are required by calling (212) 650-2010 or emailing access@metmuseum.org.
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) welcomes people who are blind or have low vision to request tours of either the permanent collection or special exhibitions. In addition to tour requests, the MFA hosts an introductory series of monthly sessions for visitors who are blind or have low vision and want to have a deeper and/or ongoing relationship with the Museum. The introductory series includes an orientation to the physical space, as well as to the amenities and art of a specific section of the Museum. Meeting time is 6.30 pm. Call 617-369-3189 or email access@mfa.org for more information.
November 25
Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town, welcomes the Helen Keller Hostel from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. The workshop consists of multi sensory discussions of selected works on view in the gallery, a related music workshop and a practical art workshop to encourage individual creative responses to concepts explored during the walkabouts and making music. Send an email to Sandra Eastwood at johneast@iafrica.com
December 1
The Museum of Modern Art, NYC, invites you to Meet Me at MoMA, a program for individuals with Alzheimer’s and their family members or care partners. Meet Me at MoMA provides a forum for dialogue through looking at art. Specially trained MoMA educators highlight themes, artists, or exhibitions during an interactive program in the MoMA galleries. Programs are scheduled once a month on Tuesdays, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. This program is free. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Reservations may be made one month in advance. For more information or to register, call Access Programs at (212) 408-6347 or e-mail accessprograms@moma.org.
December 3
Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town, hosts a 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. workshop in support of the International Day of the Disabled. To register, contact Sandra Eastwood at johneast@iafrica.com
December 6
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, offers the Met Escapes program for people with dementia and their caregivers as a way to explore art and the Museum’s collections in a friendly, safe environment. Three different types of interactive workshops occur on select Wednesdays and Sundays: gallery tours, art-making sessions, and exploring works of art through touch. Reservations are required by calling (212) 650-2010 or emailing access@metmuseum.org.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, offers the Discoveriesprogram for children and adults with developmental and learning disabilities and accompanying friends, family members, and staff. The workshop includes a thematic gallery tour and art-making activity. It is free, but advance reservations are required by calling (212) 650-2010 or e-mailing access@metmuseum.org .
December 10
The Metropolitan Museum of Art invites you to Picture This! Workshops: American Stories: Paintings of Everyday Life 1765-1915, for adults who are blind or partially sighted. The workshops make works of art accessible through detailed descriptions, touch, and other activities to awaken the senses. Programs run from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Reservations are required by calling (212) 650-2010 or e-mailing access@metmuseum.org.
December 13
The Museum of Modern Art, NYC, invites you to Create Ability, a program for individuals with learning or developmental disabilities and their families. The theme will be Life in 3-D: Looking at Sculpture. The program is free of charge. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Reservations may be made one month in advance. For more information or to register, call Access Programs at (212) 408-6347 or e-mail accessprograms@moma.org.
December 12
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, promotes artistic exploration for adults who are blind or partially sighted and their companions through the monthly drawing class from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., entitled Seeing through Drawing. Reservations are required by calling (212) 650-2010 or e-mailing access@metmuseum.org.
December 15
The Museum of Modern Art, NYC, hosts Art inSight, a program for individuals who are blind or partially sighted. Each month, specially trained MoMA lecturers highlight specific themes, artists, or exhibitions through verbal description and touch. This month’s tour will focus on the special exhibition Gabriel Orozco. Programs are scheduled once a month on Tuesdays, from 2 to 4 p.m. Wheelchairs, portable stools, FM headsets for sound enhancement, and large print and Braille information brochures are available. Service animals are welcome. This program is free of charge. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Reservations may be made one month in advance. For more information or to register, call Access Programs at (212) 408-6347 or e-mail accessprograms@moma.org.
January 23
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, promotes artistic exploration for adults who are blind or partially sighted and their companions through the monthly drawing class from 11.00 a.m. --12:30 p.m., entitled Seeing through Drawing. Reservations are required by calling (212) 650-2010 or sending an e-mail to access@metmuseum.org.
