December 13, 2024
Touch Tour at The Noguchi Museum. Photo: Katherine Abbott. ©INFGM / ARS
Accessibility at The Noguchi Museum
The Noguchi Museum is committed to enabling all visitors to experience the art and environment created by Isamu Noguchi. An access program can be carefully designed to meet the needs of your community upon request. Guided tours and art workshops are planned together with the visiting group’s coordinator, providing appropriate and accessible entry points into Noguchi’s artwork to make the Museum accessible to all individuals. Please note at least three weeks’ advance notice is required to schedule an access program. To book a free access guided tour or art workshop, email education@noguchi.org or call 718.204.7088 ext 205.
• Research assistance and alternate formats of archival materials on this website are available by request to accessibility@noguchi.org or 718.204.7088 ext 206.
• Live captioning for all online programs is available by advance request.
• The Noguchi Museum is wheelchair accessible. A wheelchair may be reserved in advance for visitor use, and is available free of charge at the Museum entry desk on a first-come, first-served basis. Wheelchairs are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between uses.
• Service animals are welcome in the Museum.
• Single-user/family/all gender restrooms are available on the first floor.
• Sign language interpretation for all programs is available by advance request.
Visitors who are blind or partially sighted
Guided tours and art workshops for visitors who are blind and partially sighted include detailed verbal descriptions and contextual information during tours. Touch Tours of select works from the permanent collection are available for individuals and groups of all ages by appointment. Touch tours include exploration of original works of art with gloves, and tactile diagrams.
In addition, Seen and Unseen is a series of virtual tours that illuminate Isamu Noguchi’s art and special exhibitions at the Museum through verbal description and engaging conversation. Seen and Unseen tours are free with RSVP and are offered remotely on Zoom. To register for the program and receive a Zoom link or dial-in phone number for the next virtual tour, please email education@noguchi.org or call 718.204.7088 ext 203.
Visitors with developmental or learning disabilities
Guided tours and art workshops for adult visitors with developmental and learning disabilities are carefully designed to meet the physical, emotional, and developmental needs of participants. Trained educators create experiences with art in the galleries using visual, verbal, and tactile interactions. Art workshops in the studio focus on material exploration and build upon themes from the tour.
Visitors with dementia
Guided tours and art workshops for visitors with dementia are tailored to include family members and care partners, creating a positive social experience for the entire group. Planned in conjunction with the visiting group’s coordinator, trained educators provide a comfortable and supported approach towards experiences with art using adaptable communication strategies. The calm environment in the galleries and studio create a welcoming atmosphere for facilitated dialogue around art.
K–12 students with developmental and learning disabilities
Tours and tours and workshops are specifically designed for students with developmental or learning disabilities within self-contained or integrated class structures. Planned with the lead classroom teacher, programs are catered to individual students’ needs and abilities, and build upon classroom curriculum. Educators differentiate instruction in the galleries with multimodal communication and by creating experiences with art using tools such as touch objects, movement activities, drawing, and more. In the studio, educators create a flexible and supportive environment for exploring art materials.
To learn more, email education@noguchi.org or call 718.204.7088 ext 205.
K–12 students on the autism spectrum
Tours and tours and workshops for students on the autism spectrum are designed to cater to individuals and their specific needs, created in coordination with the lead visiting teacher. Educators aim to build upon students’ communication and social skills through conversation and sensory-friendly experiences with art in the galleries. Educators use techniques such as visual teaching tools, social stories, and touch objects to interact with students in the galleries. In the studio, students engage in a developmentally appropriate art-making workshop.
To learn more, email education@noguchi.org or call 718.204.7088 ext 205.
