A growing number of museums are providing programs that are virtual and, increasingly, their offerings are also accessible to individuals with vision loss virtually and in person. Following are items that explore visiting museums and experiencing works of art accessibly and virtually:
Virtual Museum Verbal Description and Touch Tours
Verbal Description Virtual Teleconference Tour Exploring the Jewish Museum Collection on September 27, 2023 from 2 to 3:30 pm ET: Visitors who are blind or have low vision can join in this descriptive teleconference tour of the Jewish Museum Collection, “a unique mix of artworks and ceremonial objects.” This Access Program, provided via Zoom, is free of charge, but requires advance registration. To receive more information and to register, contact [email protected] or call 212-432-3289. For additional details, visit the museum webpage describing the Verbal Description Tour at Home.
“Tactile Transmission,” a free Access Program, is provided by the Renee and Chaim Gross Foundation in person and online and geared toward visitors who are blind or have low vision on the second Thursday of the month: The program utilizes verbal description and touch to explore the work of artist Chaim Gross, including sculptures, drawings, and prints, as well as his extensive art collections. Virtual Tactile Transmissions programs take place from 11 am to 12:30 pm ET; in-person programs go from 12:30 to 2 pm ET. The next program will be held on October12, 2023. Learn more from the Foundation’s webpage here, by scrolling down to the item on the Fall Schedule for Access Program Tactile Transmissions.
A Virtual Descriptive Tour for People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision is provided by The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) Boston on the third Saturday of each month. The tour covers current special exhibitions or highlights different parts of the Museum’s collection. This program is provided via Zoom free of charge and reservations are required. To receive more information or register, contact [email protected]. Other virtual tours for individuals, groups with disabilities, and organizations serving people with disabilities may also be arranged. For additional details, visit the MFA webpage on Access Programs.
