Autism Friendly Museums: Leading the Way to an Inclusive and Accessible Cultural Sector
In the heart of Leipzig, Germany and among the lively galleries of Florence, Italy lies a silent revolution in the world of museums. Kerstin Wiese, the Director of the Bach Museum in Leipzig, and the team at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence are rewriting the rules, making art and culture accessible to everyone, including those on the autism spectrum.
A Symphony of Inclusion
Picture this: In 2017, LunA (Leipzig und Autismus), a German association for autistic self-advocacy, extended a hand to local cultural institutions, seeking not just reasonable accommodations, but rather a symphony of understanding. LunA has nurtured a supportive community, offering guidance and support groups to empower autistic individuals with the freedom for self-determination. Soon the Bach Museum would become part of that community. Kerstin Wiese found herself at the Director’s podium, leading the Bach Museum team through new territory.
Inspired by MoMa’s advances in autism-friendly practices, the Bach Museum embarked on its own journey of innovation. The Bach team worked in-house using simply their time and their computers to create new resources that would make their space more inclusive. Together, they created five documents, including a social narrative, sensory map, a visit guide, an orientation plan and a visual guide of the museum. These resources were designed to help visitors plan in advance and to be prepared for any surprises the museum may have to offer. What emerged was not just a set of guidelines, but a love letter to accessibility, woven into the foundations of the Bach Museum in Leipzig.
Meanwhile, the Uffizi Gallery was undergoing its own transformation. Faced with an ever-growing chorus of requests for accessibility, they responded promptly. “The project was developed thanks to the fundamental collaboration of the Associazione Autismo Firenze and professional educators with specific training and long experience in the field of autism,” a Uffizi spokesperson explains. The team also shared they were faced with the challenge “to make one of the most crowded museums in Italy accessible.” So how did they do it?
The Uffizi Autism Friendly Program stands tall with three supporting columns. The first, focuses on contact with the museum, inviting autistic visitors and carers to reach out and share their individual needs. “In this way the museum can offer a better reception service, focused on the real needs rather than on a generic narrative.” The second column focuses on preparation tools including a social narrative and a sensory map. This helps Uffizi visitors to increase confidence in the knowledge of the museum spaces and to decrease stress. The third column encompasses the museum visit with sensory bags and activities available to make the visit an engaging and enjoyable learning experience.
Complicated but accomplished
However, the path to inclusion was not without its rapids. Wiese and her team faced the challenge of harmonizing their programme with the museum’s dynamic landscape. In Florence, the Uffizi team shared that “the main problem was harmonizing all the components of the museum. Setting up the instruments involved a lot of work in finding the best operators and coordinating the work.”
The fruits of their labor were sweet, as visitors flocked to experience the museums in a whole new light. Families, not only those with autistic children but beyond, rejoiced in the new joy of exploration. The Bach Museum and the Uffizi Gallery had become more than mere repositories of art; they were sanctuaries of inclusion, where every note, every brushstroke, spoke a universal language of belonging.
Sharing
“Collaboration lay at the heart of progress,” Wiese points out. “Through partnerships with advocacy groups, we found the key to unlocking a world of possibilities.” By creating experiences tailored to individual needs, they paved the way for a more inclusive future. While it remains to be seen how these initiatives will evolve, both institutions are committed to maintaining and supporting the accessibility tools and accommodations currently in place. As we continue to monitor their progress, we will keep our readers updated on any new developments in this area. We hope this also inspires you to take action within your museum. Culture is for everyone and we must make the conscious effort to become more accessible and inclusive.
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This piece was written by Matilde Dani with contributions by Alina Rohr. Thank you to Kerstin Wiese, the Director of the Bach Museum in Leipzig, and to the team at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence for taking the time to talk to us and share their work.
As the month of April is dedicated to Autism Awareness and Acceptance, Ki Culture and Ki Futures are committed to sharing knowledge and experiences that can further support and encourage more museums to become autism friendly.
Here you can watch our recent webinar ‘Creating Autism Friendly Museums’ with guest speakers Lisa Jo Rudy and Maria Cagney. Check out our social media (@kiculture) to hear from more museums on their Autism Friendly Practices.
