We all assume that art is an experience for everyone. Walking into museums, many of us open our eyes and minds to view the incredible pieces standing before us. But what about people with disabilities? How are they going to experience these artworks?
Well, apparently, many museums have classes that give people with disabilities a chance to experience art. For example, the Metropolitan Museum of Art held its first “Seeing Through Drawing” class this October; participants with eyesight impairments created works inspired by the ones in the museum. Their experiences were based on either touching the objects or hearing descriptions of them from instructors. Museums look out for people with other disabilities too, not just sight. Whether it’s hearing impairment, mobility issues, or learning disabilities, museums like The Met and the Smithsonian are constantly trying to make sure anyone and everyone who loves art, gets to experience it.
A lot of thought goes in to building a museum, and one big factor is to accommodate for those with disabilities. In fact, museums have been mitigating this issue since the early 1900s, whether it’s by including rolling chairs, holding talk sessions, hiring instructors, varying the heights objects are placed, or installing mirrors. Innovations continue, and it’s because a large percent, almost 20, of the population has some type of disability. These numbers are not expected to decrease due to the introduction of more cases of learning disabilities, along with the aging of the population.
I thought this was article was really interesting because I never really thought about the troubles others may have going to a museum. I guess I take for granted that I am able to see, to hear, to feel, without any problems. This article sheds light on the other side of the spectrum, those who are unfortunately impaired and have trouble with what we consider everyday tasks. I never noticed the efforts museum coordinators and workers take for the disabled, and I think it’s absolutely amazing. What they are doing and have been doing means a lot to the society. Nobody is singled out; nobody can say they cannot attend a museum because they are disabled. But what intrigues me the most is the fact that these museums do it solely for social benefits, to bring joy to others. I read a lot about people who treat art as money, purchasing art just to sell it for profit, and although this is true, the intrinsic value of art branches much more from the emotions they are able to evoke from people rather than its face-value in the market. It’s so heartwarming to hear about how much these museums do for people with disabilities.
Mohn, Tanya. “Welcoming Art Lovers With Disabilities.” New York Times 25 Oct. 2013: 1-2. Print.
This reminds me of the first IDC project we had to do. Christine and I also wanted to focus on making people aware of the little things we take for granted every day. I think that it is amazing what these people do for those who are disabled. They are excluded from so many other things in the world, but not art. I’m happy to see that these people are given opportunities with art as there are examples in history where the best artists were those who had disabilities.
It is really interesting what museums are doing! I am glad they are connecting more to the needs of our population. There are some studies that show that people with disabilities are more talented and productive than people without disabilities – and many of them are in tune with art! Some explanations for this is that because of their disability, they are more sensitive to certain things including their budding talent. I think people with disabilities are prime museum and concert visitors, and finally museums are catching on to that fact! Some people believe that those with disabilities are not able to be happy and successful in their lives, but they actually lead happier and more productive lives than many “normal” people! The museum programs you mentioned will further aid in developing great experiences for them, and that is a good message that museums are sending.
This article was really interesting because, like you, I’ve always taken the simple ability to walk around a museum for granted. The fact that these museums are making their arts more available to those with disabilities is inspiring because they’re doing so for the sake of doing so. Because we haven’t experienced the inconveniences that are faced by those with disabilities, we don’t recognize or look into the entirety of what museums offer. I’m glad you choose the article you did because it really revealed to me how much thought goes into designing a building and programs to accommodate people with disabilities.
Museum care for the disabled is a humane and caring measure. I think it is very important for everyone to “experience” art, not just “watching” or “hearing.” I agree with you at the end of your thoughts. This is an attitude showing that the art branches are really serving the public where they spend a lot of money facilitating every visitor. I accidentally read about an article about the fee policy of the Met which is focused on whether or not the Met should charge public a certain amount of fee for public. Now your article totally supports my opinion that the Met should charge people because it is serving people in every way.
I was at the Whitney Museum of Modern Art the other day and saw a deaf tour group being taken throughout the museum by a guide and signing descriptions of the work to the people. I found this article interesting because I realized there are so many other things that museums must accommodate to allow people will all different disabilities to enjoy the artwork. I think it is wonderful that there are ways for people with seeing impairments to be interactive with the artwork so that they are lucky enough to get the museum experience just like anybody else. I love how at the end of your blog you speak about the intrinsic value the museums get from evoking emotion from its visitors. This is a refreshing view for me especially because it is a reminder that maybe art isn’t always business.
Whitney Museum of American Art**
It is nice to see that museums are trying to make sure that a disability is not the reason why someone cannot experience art. I also took for granted that I am able to use all of my five senses. It really is a gift, and I cannot imagine going without any of them. I agree that the museums’ effort to accommodate for the disabled is for social benefits rather than economical benefits.
Everyone, in my opinion, has the right to appreciate any type of art that is on display. Just like restaurants and other buildings, it’s only right that museums do this too. A museum’s primary function is to show the public (everyone) pieces of art, whether for a fee or not. Disabled people are included in this. So, they should have special accommodations made for them. I’m always complaining about my legs hurting at museums, but I shouldn’t be taking it for granted that 1, I’m in the museum in the first place. And 2, I can appreciate art for what it is.
Everyone, in my opinion, has the right to appreciate any type of art that is on display. Just like restaurants and other buildings, it’s only right that museums do this too. A museum’s primary function is to show the public (everyone) pieces of art, whether for a fee or not. Disabled people are included in this. So, they should have special accommodations made for them. I’m always complaining about my legs hurting at museums, but I shouldn’t be taking it for granted that 1, I’m in the museum in the first place. And 2, I can appreciate art for what it is.
(sorry for the 2nd post, I wasn’t logged in the first time)
This was a great reminder that art is truly for everyone. I love the initiative that museums are taking to cater to all guests. I definitely take a lot for granted, so this was a great reminder to be aware of the need of others. I also love that this article shows art’s versatility. It can be experienced with all five senses (food can be art too!), and I think that is often forgotten in our typical view of art as something hung up in a museum that we stare at.
I also never realized that people with disabilities may have a hard time going to museums and surrounding themselves in art. What these museums are doing is great, just another step towards helping the disabled. Every museum or exhibit should be helping the disabled, why not. What is great about art is that it can be seen, felt heard, or even have a taste. For someone who is blind or deaf or even blind and deaf, they can still enjoy some form of art.
The difficulty that disabled people may experience in going to a museum is something that I had never considered previously to reading this. It’s good to hear that museums are accommodating those who might need help.
What I am thinking about as well is how perception shapes art, specifically how lacking a sense, such as sight, might affect one’s perception. Of course, visual arts like paintings would likely be difficult to comprehend if one were blind, but perhaps those who are blind still might enjoy the theater or movies, just in a different way than those who can see. Everybody’s perspectives on various arts are different, but I would imagine that lacking a sense would especially affect one’s perspective of art.
I think that along with this, one’s stage of life affects how one perceives the same work of art. One finds different things that he/she might like in a work of art at different points in one’s life. This is making me realize that there are so many factors that play into how one perceives art – it’s very interesting to think about…
It’s really amazing to hear that museums are putting in the effort to help people with disabilities still be able to enjoy art. It takes time and effort for museums to gather instructors and create time sessions for people with disabilities along with meeting the needs of other people. I was shocked to hear that almost 20% of the population has some type of disability. It’s important that this part of the population gets to enjoy art too because it can really change one’s mood and perspective for the better.
Wow, I never really thought about this until I read this article. I guess I take my senses for granted. But I think it’s wonderful that people who don’t have all their senses are given the opportunities to appreciate artwork. It must take an unbelievable amount of effort and care to help accommodate people with disabilities. I am glad that these museums are putting in this kind of effort to help these people, because I believe everyone should be able to experience art.
This article actually just reminded me of the Guggenheim which I visited literally two hours ago and makes me kind of sad. The Guggenheim is the furthest thing from disability-friendly. The entire museum is on this spiraling path that is always sloped down. Not just an inconvenience, but arguably a hazard for those with disabilities. Good for the Met and the Smithsonian though, everyone should obviously be allowed to enjoy art.