Event Title
Sensing the Visual: A Critical Disability Studies Approach to the Allen Memorial Art Museum
Location
King Building 237
Document Type
Presentation
Start Date
4-27-2019 2:00 PM
End Date
4-27-2019 3:20 PM
Abstract
The exterior of Oberlin College’s Allen Memorial Art Museum boldly reads “The Cause of Art is the Cause of the People.” While this sentiment from marxist artist and author William Morris may be inspiring, the reality is that meaningful experiences with art in museums are often inaccessible to people with disabilities. Beginning with the dominance of the visual over all other senses, museum space produces a variety of physical and psychological barriers that prevent people with disabilities from entering or enjoying museums. This project examines the Allen’s commitment to accessibility for visitors of all abilities while taking into account its unique position as a campus art museum with a world renown collection. I begin by comparing the Allen’s physical space with the guidelines put forth by the Americans with Disabilities act of 1990 as well as the Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design. Based on my research I have outlined suggestions for the Allen to better accommodate visitors of all abilities. These include a focus on multi-sensory exhibition design, which provides opportunities for engaging all five senses in the gallery, as well as increased collaboration with local schools and disability services at the college. I conclude by emphasizing that everybody learns and experiences the world differently;while instituting accommodations would undoubtedly increase the value of the museum experience for visitors with disabilities, everybody benefits from more inclusive practices.
Keywords:
accessible design, disability studies, diaspora, museum studies, crip theory, multi-sensory design
Recommended Citation
Tishkoff, Hannah, "Sensing the Visual: A Critical Disability Studies Approach to the Allen Memorial Art Museum" (04/27/19). Senior Symposium. 2.
https://digitalcommons.oberlin.edu/seniorsymp/2019/panel_08/2
Major
Art History
Advisor(s)
Erik Inglis, Art History
Project Mentor(s)
Evangeline Heiliger, Comparative American Studies
Kantara Souffrant, Art History
April 2019
Sensing the Visual: A Critical Disability Studies Approach to the Allen Memorial Art Museum
King Building 237
The exterior of Oberlin College’s Allen Memorial Art Museum boldly reads “The Cause of Art is the Cause of the People.” While this sentiment from marxist artist and author William Morris may be inspiring, the reality is that meaningful experiences with art in museums are often inaccessible to people with disabilities. Beginning with the dominance of the visual over all other senses, museum space produces a variety of physical and psychological barriers that prevent people with disabilities from entering or enjoying museums. This project examines the Allen’s commitment to accessibility for visitors of all abilities while taking into account its unique position as a campus art museum with a world renown collection. I begin by comparing the Allen’s physical space with the guidelines put forth by the Americans with Disabilities act of 1990 as well as the Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design. Based on my research I have outlined suggestions for the Allen to better accommodate visitors of all abilities. These include a focus on multi-sensory exhibition design, which provides opportunities for engaging all five senses in the gallery, as well as increased collaboration with local schools and disability services at the college. I conclude by emphasizing that everybody learns and experiences the world differently;while instituting accommodations would undoubtedly increase the value of the museum experience for visitors with disabilities, everybody benefits from more inclusive practices.
Notes
Session IV, Panel 8 - Reframing | Margins
Moderator: Christina Neilson, Associate Professor of Baroque and Renaissance Art History and Chair of Art History