Expanded Multisensory Labels

at Oklahoma City Museum of Art

About

OKCMOA had previously worked with NewView Oklahoma for blind sensitivity training and to create one-off experiences or specific classes. Hoping to broaden gallery resources available to its local blind and low-vision communities, the museum implemented QR codes and audio text for all gallery text and visual descriptions for featured artworks, as well as a white cane walking path to support visitors. To increase the exhibition’s accessibility, four paintings were professionally replicated into touchable artworks and later re-used by other venues that hosted the exhibition, notably the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Wichita Art Museum.

Intended Outcome

OKCMOA hoped to foster a welcoming environment for blind and low-vision visitors and to create an accessible museum experience for all through experimental resources and outreach. Its goal was to have 15,000 visitors engage with the new initiatives.

Actual Outcome

OKCMOA created multiple opportunities for blind and low-vision visitors to engage with the artworks, and it received enthusiastic feedback. The museum tracked that 46% of all visitors used the multisensory reproductions and highlighted that it became an additional resource for children to interact with the artworks. A total of 19,180 visitors experienced the exhibition.

Advice Post Project

To make accessible interventions in an exhibition, rely on visitor input and partnerships with experts. By building resources with direct input from the blind and low-vision communities the museum hoped to reach, OKCMOA created a meaningful and accessible experience for its target audience.