Accessibility
The Full Story
I have a passion for accessibility within the art world and know that so much more needs to be done within institutions and galleries. Information from the Heritage Access 2020 shows that, 19% of museums and heritage sites surveyed have no online access information in both 2018 and 2022, showing no improvement in 4 years.
Since attending the Anthony Gormley 'Relaxed Opening' at the RA in 2019, it has widened my awareness for accessibility within the arts. Being able to experience art in a more sensory way has shown me just how important it is to bear in mind how others view art and what needs to be put in place for them.
I was part of the accessibility team whilst installing our degree show and self-made Sensory Maps for each floor of the building, so that all visitors had the option of using them. The context of my dissertation was about ‘Autism within the Contemporary Art World’, I have linked this below if you are interested in further reading.
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Since, I have worked with many different organisations and artists to advocate for accessibility within the arts. Royal Sculpture Society, Young People in the Arts, Shape Arts, University of Leeds and Weston Art Space to name a few.
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I am currently working as an Access Coordinator at the Institute of Contemporary Arts. This role is part of the operations team, but collaborates with every other department to make accessibility as robust as possible institution-wide. A few of the project I have initiated at the ICA are posted below.
ICA x YPIA
'Accessibility in the Arts' 15.09.2022
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I organised an exhibition workshop on accessibility within curation in partnership with the ICA Learning Curator and through my Project Manager role at YPIA. The workshop offered information to future potential curators and young artists.
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We had a great turn out of attendees and an even greater discussion on awareness of accessibility within art institutions. We discussed what a visual story pack was and how we would construct one as well as completing an activity on how to formulate a sensory map for exhibitions. Many of the attendees came away saying that they had learnt something and that is all we could’ve asked for!
ICA
Exhibition Sensory Maps
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After hosting the 'Accessibility in the Arts' workshop, I worked in the Comms team at the ICA to create the first ICA sensory map for the current ‘R.I.P. Germain’ exhibition. I am now creating these for every exhibition going forward.
I created icons that can be used for every exhibition and am creating specific icons relevant to each separate exhibition too. Implicating a sensory map into every exhibition programme is a great step to creating more accessible resources within the institution.
ICA x YPIA
‘Careers in the Arts’
Speed Mentoring at the ICA 16.04.2023
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In March 2023 I managed our YPIA team of assistants and marketers to host a 'Speed Networking: Careers in the Arts' event hosted by the ICA. I had a great turn out of attendees and ICA colleagues.
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We created a unique opportunity to meet members of the staff team behind the institution, and get their advice on starting a career in the arts.
Impact Driver
Pre-Show Information
30.09.2023
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I worked with the ICA Curator of live, Kat Bailed and the SoundScribe AD group, to create a document on pre-show information for the theatre performance 'Impact Driver'. I also attended on the night as an access representative to support the touch tour and AD visitors.
This document eceived positive feedback from ACE. It is to be shown to other organisations and institutions as ‘best practice’.
ICA
Visual Story Pack
07.11.2023
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In November, I produced and launched the first ICA Visual Story Pack. The pack explains accessible and useful information about your visit to the ICA and about the institution, using pictures and accessible text. The pack is for, and to be used by everyone, as well as more specifically people who have access needs. It is made to give as much information to our wider audiences as possible to make them feel most confident during their visit.
The pack can be found and collected from the Box Office and can also be used at home or on the go via our access page on the website.
The pack is translated onto the website as a Visual Story Guide.
This video content shows how someone can access the pack to use in the spaces. As well as access the information online before or after their visit.
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch if you would like to join me in making the Art World more accessible...