An Act of Translation: Tactile Art Experiences at The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Arts & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum

Authors:

• Clara Dawson, Museology Graduate Program
• Chair: Meena Selvakumar
• Drew Oberjuerge
• Pete Benavidez

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Abstract:

Art museums continue to provide insufficient interpretation of visual art for visitors who have low or no vision. Some museums have innovative visual arts programming and interpretation but accessible art experiences need to be developed on a museum-by-museum basis to account for individual museum resources, mission, capacity and local community need. There is no one size fits all approach. Often times museums are faced with disaggregated information about how to create programming and unaffordable or unsustainable technologies. This leaves visitors who have low or no vision with spotty art viewing opportunities, inconsistent interpretation and one-off programs. In an effort to support a practical and sustainable experience for visitors who have low or no vision at The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Arts and Culture of the Riverside Art Museum, this project created a manual for implementing an art viewing experience that makes use of newly created tactile interpretation aides and verbal descriptions. An advisory board made up of members from the low and no vision community reviewed materials throughout the development process of the manual, interpretation aides and verbal descriptions and provided their recommendations for creating a relevant, accessible and enjoyable art viewing experience. Multiple options and considerations for implementation within the museum space are present in the manual to account for shifting museum resources and capacity. This project provides a foundation for which The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Arts & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum can continue to build upon as it expands its accessible museum offerings.

Poster:

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Project Deliverable:

An Act of Translation: Tactile Art Experiences at The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Arts & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum

Video Presentation