I really need your help! Meeting with Arts Bigwigs to tell them what we need in galleries.

[tallwivglasses]

I posted a while ago about the sad lack of inclusive arts events and activities for our kids and got some really interesting responses here

I mentioned I was awaiting a reply from a gallery I'd emailed about problems my ds had encountered and how it could be made more welcoming to all children with disabilities. Now suddenly there's a rush-meeting planned with Council bods, Arts bods, funding bods and me...WHAT DO I SAY?

I've mentionned multi-sensory exhibits, interactive lighting, soundbeam...but what else?

What would be in your dc's dream art gallery?

And what would make the experience joyful for you too?

Any artists out there who could actually make this stuff happen?

Oh god, the meeting's on Tuesday, but if you ssee this after Tuesday, please still post.

I've a feeling this isn't going to happen overnight

Please, anything! Thanks in advance x

BSL signed talks in the gallery would be great!!!!

Nice one lottie!

Exhibits which you are allowed to touch.

I am very hot on BSL issues. I took a major tv company to task (cant name names) for their views on BSL. They didnt take me seriously so i rang them back and said i would go to the press with my views on their views on BSL!! They soon pulled their finger out!!

Lucinda- I dream of signs in Braille, pecs, audio, etc that say 'Please Touch'

Oh, and good on you, Lottie!

Dream gallery would have lots of interactive, engaging things that bring the exhibits to audiences in fresh, challenging and accessible ways

Saw something at naidex which projected images onto the floor and by simple movements the image could be manipulated and changed. Someone with even v limited mobility would still be able to engage with this. The soundbeam equipment and software offers a similar concept with audio

Switch accessible pcs

Permanent exhibition structures which invite and entice audiences to get right in. Tactile, textures, smells, vibrations. There was this ace piece in the now defunct centre for popular music where there were little speakers hidden in the wall playing different pieces of music. This concept could work visually with structures with peep holes and exhibits concealed behind doors

We go to new art gallery in Walsall a lot. It is fantastic. They have a discovery gallery for children. Lots

wheelchair access, has to be there
also
I saw a programme about the Imperial War Museum in Trafford a while back, it was amazing, open spaces, projected images, it was like you were there iynwim.
one day I will take dd there. so things like that would help.
but on the cheaper scale.
open space so a wheelchair user can drive around and decide what to look at.
stuff you can touch and feel.
a lot of places seem to have screens where you press something, not much good if your hands don't work, so maybe they could work my just being in front(pressure pads)

(continued) of things to do, light boxes, dressing up, jigsaws, puppet theatre, distorted mirrors, instruments etc

They also do a fab sensory session. Alas they aim it at under 2s but it could work equally well with older kids with multiple and profound disabilities

Erm what else? Possibly limiting numbers of people who could enter/ having quiet times for people who find crowds distressing

Best of luck with this. Sounds v exciting

Thanks for all your suggestions. My job for tonight is to write a l-o-n-g list.

Ds is hyper though, so I'm praying the melatonin works!

Thanks to everyone who posted on this and the last thread - herjazz and 2shoes - some great suggestions, all much appreciated.

I'll let you know how I get on. Not so nervous now!

x

Oh, and cheers, Northernsky. A chilled, time-out space is definitely going on the list!

Yes, definitely exhibits they can touch- and well-informed, non-judgmental staff too!