[email protected], 410-547-9000, ext. 337
The Walters Art Museum is Now a KultureCity® Certified Sensory Inclusive Institution
BALTIMORE, MD—The Walters Art Museum has partnered with KultureCity® to make the museum a Sensory InclusiveTM institution. This new initiative will promote an accommodating and positive experience for all visitors with a sensory need, no matter their age or ability.
The certification process ensures that the staff and volunteers of the Walters are trained by leading medical professionals on how to recognize those visitors with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. KultureCity® Sensory Bags, equipped with noise-canceling headphones (provided by Puro Sound Labs), fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and a KCVIP lanyard will be available to all museum guests who may feel overwhelmed during their visit. Weighted lap pads for use in the auditorium are also available for visitors at the Centre Street Visitor Experience desk.
“The Walters is committed to creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed and supported and our certification with KultureCity® helps us in reaching that goal,” said Colleen Lyons Oyler, Manager of Visitor Experience. “From staff training to best practices, our partnership with KultureCity® serves as a powerful tool to guide us in supporting visitors with sensory needs, resulting in moments of inspiration across the museum. Expanding accessibility is an institutional goal for the Walters and these certification requirements are just the beginning as we continually work to embed accessibility considerations across the museum.”
Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD, and other similar conditions. One of the major barriers for these individuals is sensitivity to overstimulation and noise, which can be a part of the experience at an institution like the Walters. With its new certification, the museum is now better prepared to assist visitors with sensory sensitivities in having the most comfortable and accommodating experience possible.
“Our communities shape our lives and to know that the Walters Art Museum is willing to go the extra mile to ensure that everyone, no matter their ability, is included in community experiences is amazing,” said Uma Srivastava, Executive Director, KultureCity®. “We’re honored to partner with the Walters to provide a truly inclusive experience for all visitors.”
Prior to their visit, families and individuals can download the free KultureCity® App where they can view what sensory features are available and where they can access them, including how to get a KultureCity® Sensory Bag during their visit. Also on the App is the Social Story, which will provide a customized visual preview of what to expect while using KultureCity® materials at the Walters.
About the Walters Art Museum
The Walters Art Museum is a cultural hub in the heart of Baltimore, located in the city’s Mount Vernon neighborhood. The museum’s collection spans more than seven millennia, from 5000 BCE to the 21st century, and encompasses 36,000 objects from around the world. Walking through the museum’s historic buildings, visitors encounter a stunning panorama of thousands of years of art, from romantic 19th-century images of French gardens to mesmerizing Ethiopian icons, richly illuminated Qur’ans and Gospel books, ancient Roman sarcophagi, and serene images of the Buddha. Since its founding, the Walters’ mission has been to bring art and people together to create a place where people of every background can be touched by art. As part of this commitment, admission to the museum and special exhibitions is always free.
Visitor Information
Admission to the museum and Time and Place is free. The Walters Art Museum is located at 600 N. Charles St., north of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. For general museum information, call 410-547-9000 or visit thewalters.org.
Free admission to the Walters Art Museum is made possible through the combined generosity of individual members and donors, foundations, corporations, and grants from the City of Baltimore, Maryland State Arts Council, Citizens of Baltimore County, Howard County Government and Howard County Arts Council.
About KultureCity®
KultureCity® is a leading non-profit recognized nationwide for using its resources to revolutionize and effect change in the community for those with sensory needs, not just those with autism. Since the program’s inception, KultureCity® has created over 1,000 Sensory InclusiveTM public and private services, organizations, events and venues in 6 countries: this includes special events such as the NFL Pro-Bowl, NFL Super Bowl, MLB World Series, and MLB All Star Weekend.
KultureCity® has won many awards for its efforts, including the NASCAR Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award in 2017 and the 2018 Clio Sports Silver for social good in partnership with Cleveland Cavaliers/Quicken Loans Arena. The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Quiet Space Sensory Room at Quicken Loans Arena was a finalist for the 2018 Stadium Business Award, KultureCity® was named one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2019 and 2020 by FastCompany, and recently won the Industry Partner Award in TheStadiumBusiness Design & Development Awards 2019.