Community + Audience Engagement
Introduction
Who is in your audience?
Disability is by nature diverse and intersectional. People with disabilities - many of whom may not identify as Disabled or part of the "Disability community" but still love with a disability of some kind - are a part of every other sociocultural identity and community. In fact roughly 20% of people in North America have a disability. As an artist, it's important to remember that regardless of what subject matter you are exploring or the kind of art you are making, there are Disabled people who will be interested. If you are making work for and / or about your sociocultural identity, a specific history, or a particular emotional experience, your audience includes Disabled people. If you choose to exclude people with disabilities by not creating accessible artwork and exhibitions, it is both a neglect of their right to equity engage with culture, and your loss as an artist. When planning different forms of "audience engagement" you should also plan for the inclusion of Disabled people. Creating a space that is accessible broadens your reach as an artist and expands the art world to a population that is frequently overlooked and excluded.
Who is in your community?
As mentioned in the first section of this guide, it is crucial to remember that Disabled people are both part of your audience and your creative community. When you are collaborating with arts workers or other artists, keep in mind that they may be Disabled. Make sure to consider possible access needs during the development of an exhibition or collaborative process. Disabled artists face many barriers to participating fully in the arts world; whether you are disabled or non-disabled yourself, Disability Justice calls for cross-disability and cross-movement (i.e. racial justice, environmental justice, indigenous sovereignty, gender equality, etc) solidarity. If you are a Disabled artist yourself, developing a supportive creative community by welcoming other disabled artists and arts workers can help you thrive, as well - creative communities should cultivate reciprocity.
Studio Visits and Open Studios
Whenever you are opening your studio to fellow artists, curators or the public, it is best to ensure that your space is accessible. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
If you are welcoming the public into your space for Open Studios, you should plan to adhere to the ADA requirements listed on the Exhibition Design section, so that people with disabilities can equitably enter your space.
If you have a studio visit planned with a fellow artist or a curator, you should ask them ahead of time if they have any specific Access Needs, such as mobility device access, written materials, or sensory related considerations.
For either a studio visit or an open studio event, plan to provide people with basic build access information ahead of time (on email communications or promotional materials.) Building access information can include the presence and location of accessible parking and nearby public transportation, elevators in the building, notes related to loud sound or bright lighting, and any possible presence of strong smell or chemicals.
Artist Talks
In-person Artist Talks
Virtual Artist Talks
Touch Tours
If your artwork has any sculptural and/or textural aspects, you should consider working with the curatorial team to organize touch tours. Touch tours are specialized tours of exhibitions and museums that enable blind people and/or people with low vision to experience artwork through touch. The tours are usually led by a docent or curator who is skilled in working with this community or style of Arts tour, and often includes verbal descriptions of the artwork along with historical context and biological information about the artist. By considering audience engagement through touch tours during the art-making process, artists are encouraged to think more deeply about how artwork that would generally be considered primarily through visual modes might be experienced tactilely.
Examples