Museums and Care

Museums & Care

PART I 11:15 - 11:50

PART 2 11:50 - 12:25

WORKSHOP BY

Pallavi Dixit

Paola Machuca Hernandez

PRESENTATION BY Ziqi Cheng

PART I

Museums & Wellbeing

WORKSHOP

Lets start with a check-in

Each Dandelion sheet has four quadrants (four colors).

Each quadrant contains ten words.

Choose one word from each quadrant (four words total) that best reflects how you feel right now.

Mark the intensity of each word using the color scale:

Lightest shade = less intense

Darkest shade = more intense

If you are comfortable allowing your responses to be used for our capstone research, write your name on the back of the sheet (or another name if you prefer).

If you prefer not to share your data, do not write any name (leave it blank).

Can cultural experiences measurably improve wellbeing?

Museums increasingly position themselves not only as spaces of learning, but also as spaces of care, reflection and connection.

Museums run programs for mental health, social connection and community wellbeing

useums run prgrams r mental health scial cnnectin and cmmunit ellein

But measuring their impact is still difficult

Why this matters?

Why museums?

CULTURAL SPACE AS CARE INFRASTRUCTURE

Museums create shared experiences

Exposure to art activates emotional and cognitive responses studied in neuroaesthetics

Programs often focus on: mindfulness, creative expression, community participation

museums as “third places” for wellbeing : spaces between home and work where people can reconnect with themselves and others.

Measuring impact

THE CHALLENGE OF MEASURING

EXAMPLE

If museums claim these benefits, how do we measure them in a meaningful way?

Common approaches surveys interviews observation

The University College London Museums Wellbeing Toolkit measures emotional change before and after cultural activities. But: emotions are complex wellbeing is social, emotional, physical, and communal measurement tools often feel too rigid or incomplete

Our Activity Today

We will start with a short collaborative activity inspired by artworks from various artists around the world.

Look at the inspiration images provided. You can use the colors, styles, or techniques you notice in these works.

Spend 3–4 minutes drawing, sketching, or coloring on your sheet while listening to music.

After 3–4 minutes, pass your sheet to the next person, and continue building on the artwork you receive.

Repeat this process so each artwork becomes a collaborative piece created by multiple people.

Write your name on the back of the sheet so you can take it home with you as a shared artwork created together.

Museums & Wellbeing

Objective

Museums gain increased and sustained funding for wellbeing programs

Reduced loneliness and improved wellbeing among participants

Helping museums measure and articulate the wellbeing impact of their existing programs

Museums can demonstrate program value to boards, donors and funders with credible evidence

More museums adopt the framework and secure greater support for wellbeing initiatives

A standardized approach to measuring wellbeing in museum contexts

Museums are increasingly recognized as spaces that support healing and wellbeing.

Questions & Reflections

Thank you!

PART2

ArtForAll PRESENTATION

Art For All

A multi-sensory accessibility toolkit that reimagines how visually impaired visitors navigate, experience, and emotionally connect with museums.

Inclusive Design Community Co- Learning

acground

Sensory Design Spring 2025, Picture With Sugandha

Art Braille Board

Museum Data Visualization

Museum visual Accessible data through ONline websites

Mu seum Accessi b ilit y Scoring Rub ric

A comprehensive framework for evaluating accessibility features across museums

Definition

No visual accessibility programs.

Basic accommodation only.

Moderate support with occasional programming.

Examples

No tours, no guides.

Simple readable labels; general ADA compliance.

Occasional verbal description tours; screen-reader PDF labels.

Regular verbal description tours, staff training, tactile + visual aids, screen-reader compatibility. Strong, dedicated low-vision support.

Definition Examples No audio description offered.

Basic audio guide without descriptive content.

Some descriptive audio; available for major exhibitions.

MoMA-style selected descriptive tracks.

Whitney/MoMA-level detailed object descriptions, multi-language options, consistent coverage. Full descriptive audio program.

Examples

No tactile access.

Rare or limited tactile access.

Moderate tactile resources.

Extensive tactile experiences.

Definition No large-print materials.

Occasional or partial large-print labels.

Consistently available for major exhibitions.

High-quality, comprehensive large-print system across galleries.

Definition No Braille at all.

Very limited Braille.

Moderate Braille availability. Strong Braille system. Definition Hard to navigate; poor signage.

Basic ADA navigation only.

Clear wayfinding + accessible maps.

Advanced accessible navigation.

Do not touch everywhere.

One or two touchable items.

Touch tours, tactile replicas for a few exhibits.

Transit Museum ntrepid tactile maps, tactile models, hands-on objects across exhibits.

Examples Most museums.

Provided for one or two touch stations.

Partial Braille maps or select exhibits.

Transit Museum or Intrepid tactile/Braille maps + Braille signage.

examples Tactile maps, audio navigation, detailed floor plans.

Accessibility Focus Areas in NYC Museums

physical accessibility

inclusive interpretation

digital accessibility

sensory-friendly programing

Most Influence

Deisgn and Architecture Team

In Field Research

NYC Museums

Art in Sight at Home Zoom Program (Dec 10, 2025)

Audience

Older adults with low vision
 Participants
 18 total (incl. 3 staff)

Sixties Surreal Zoom Program (Dec 6, 2025)

Audience

Older adults with low vision
 Participants
 10 total (incl. 2 staff)

Existing Tools

Physical and Digital

Existing Platform GPS Navigation

Tactile Object Made with 3D printer and 3D scanner

Tactile Producing For Monet’s Water Lilies using hot press machine

Meta Lab

Ideation

From Home to Museum

How might we enable visitors to interact with artworks in tangible, multi-sensory ways across the museum journey?

Before the Visit

Questionnaire for data gathering

Prototype 1

Audio Description as Sensory Interpretation

A. Your Time & Energy

How much time do you have for your visit today?

45 minutes / 1 hour / 2 hours / flexible

How are you feeling today in terms of energy?

Low energy / steady / ready to explore

B. Your Interests

What kind of art or experience are you in the mood for?

Painting / sculpture / modern art / ancient art / photography

Or: “I’m open to anything.”

Do you prefer a calm, quiet route or a more dynamic, high-energy route?

Calm / balanced / stimulating

C. Your Accessibility Needs

Do you want audio descriptions during your visit?

Yes / No / Depends on the artwork

Do you need assistance with navigation or orientation?

Yes, sound guidance

Yes, step-by-step directions

No, I can navigate independently

Are there any physical or sensory needs I should consider?

Need places to sit

Avoid crowds

Prefer brighter spaces

Prefer dark rooms

Sensitive to noise

No specific needs

Prototype 2

Edge Detection as Tactile or Sonic Form Recognition

Prototypes

Focus on during museum visit

User Journey

Prototype 2

AI Companion Robot

Prototype Demo

Discussion

How can museums ensure AI and technology support accessibility rather than create new barriers?

How should museums balance innovation with ethics and visitor privacy when using AI tools?

How can museums co-create more inclusive experiences with the community?

What partnerships are needed to develop projects like Art for All into real-world museum tools?

Thank you

WORKSHOP BY

Nirjari Upadhyay - nirjari.upadhyay.newschool.edu

Pallavi Dixit - dixip849@newschool.edu

Paola Machuca Hernandez - paola.machuca@newschool.edu

PRESENTATION BY

Ziqi Cheng (Kiki) - chenz027@newschool.edu