A Case Study of Art Museum Programs for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Authors:

• Emily F. Snider, Museology Graduate Program
• Chair: Meena Selvakumar
• Charles A. Peck
• Joanne Woiack

Abstract:

This article discusses a multi-site case study focused on investigating art museum programming designed for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) such as: Fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. The researcher examines how the artmaking process provides a means by which to express feelings and emotions in a socially acceptable, non-verbal manner, as well as the assumption that artmaking might help persons with IDDs, especially when promoted in the terms of art therapy. In order to explore the concept of offering art therapy as a means of furthering a museums’ mission to increase DEAI initiatives, the researcher employed a semi-structured interview approach to glean museum best practices in designing, implementing, facilitating and evaluation of art museum program offerings for persons with IDDs. The interviewees, selected by specific criteria, were 5 facilitators of accessible art museum programming across 4 case study sites in the United States. The findings demonstrate the benefits of community partnerships as well as a holistic approach to accessibility, within art museum settings. This article also discusses suggestions for further research to fill the gaps in our knowledge and understanding of the diverse needs of persons with IDDs, a need for more inclusive evaluation methodology, as well as recommendations for further research into virtual program offerings for persons with IDDs, in determining how to benefit persons with IDDs in a post-pandemic art museum setting.