Greatest Lives Gala
The disability service organization Accord hosts the Greatest Lives Gala 5:30-9 p.m. Sat, March 28 at Marriott Northwest, 7025 Northland Dr. N, Brooklyn Park. Enjoy dinner, a silent auction, activities and entertainment. Tickets now available with options posted on the website. The organization was formerly known as Community Involvement programs. FFI: www.accord.org
Save the date for PACER
PACER Center’s annual gala always features a well-known performer and 2020 is no exception. Guests will spend the evening of April 25 being entertained by Motown legend Smokey Robinson, who has been called the reigning genius of Top 40 and America’s greatest living songwriter.” He is best known for more than 30 chart-topping hits, including “Tears of a Clown,” “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” and “I Second That Emotion,” all performed in his amazing high tenor voice. The spectacular evening celebrates PACER’s work on behalf of families of children with disabilities and all students who are bullied. It includes delicious food, live ands silent auctions and more., Tickets start at $75. FFI: www.pacer.org
Chroma Zone 2020 call for artists
Artists are sought for entry for the state’s largest public mural and art festival! Forecast is managing artist selection for the festival, which is produced by the Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ). Chroma Zone is intended for all cultures, genders, ages and abilities. Festivals is Sept. 12-19 in St. Paul. Apply by Fri, April 3. FFI: www.chromazone.net
Sensory Friendly Sunday at the Walker
Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis, hosts Sensory Friendly Sunday, 8-11 a.m. on the second Sunday of each month through May. It is a monthly, free event for kids, teens and adults with autism spectrum disorder or sensory sensitivities and their families, offering the opportunity to make art together, explore the galleries, watch a short film, or just hang out in a different setting. The galleries will be closed to all other visitors, allowing guests to enjoy the museum in a safe environment where accommodations such as quiet spaces, headphones and fidgets can be provided. In order to ensure an optimal experience and avoid crowds, reserve space ahead of time online. This program was created in consultation with AuSM and the University of Minnesota’s Occupational Therapy Program. Upcoming dates April 12 and May 10. FFI: 612-375-7610, Walker Sensory Friendly Sunday.
Gallery Tours in ASL
Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Place, Mpls, offers free gallery tours in ASL. Next dates are 6 p.m. Thu, Jan. 16. No reservations required. A different exhibit is viewed each time. FFI: 612-375-7564,
Science Museum Sensory Friendly Sundays
Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul, hosts Sensory Friendly Sundays, 9 a.m. the third Sun of each month. Early access to galleries, and a lights-up, sounds-down Omnitheater show, which starts at 9 a.m. Tickets $8.95 to $24.95. Discounts for individuals, families and groups with limited incomes and free for working direct support staff when visiting with a client. Other tools for making a museum visit successful for visitors with autism and other sensory processing issues include pre-visit social narratives available for download online, SF companion scripts for Omnitheater films, noise-dampening headphones, SF visitors’ guide, and a renovated wellness room designed to give visitors a private, out-of-the-way space to nurse a child, pray or simply recharge away from the hustle and bustle of a busy museum.
Located on Level 4 near the Native American exhibition, the room is outfitted with soft lighting, a door that locks, a changing table, rocking chair, and other seating. Ask at the exhibits entrance for sound dampening headphones, a timer, or a kit containing headphones, fidgets, gloves, and sunglasses. It is available to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis. The program was created in consultation with the Autism Society of Minnesota (AusM). Upcoming dates: March 15 and April 19. FFI: 651-221-9444 or 800-221-9444, www.smm.org
Tour for People with Memory Loss
At 10 a.m. on the first Tue of every month the historic James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Ave., St. Paul, offers a sensory-based tour designed for people with memory loss and their caregivers. Each themed tour, usually an hour or less, highlights three rooms and is followed by an optional social time until 11:30 a.m. with pastries and coffee. Private group tours available for care facilities. Next tour Tue, April 7. Free but reservations required. FFI: 651-297-2555, www.mnhs.org
Open Flow Forum
The Artists with Disabilities Alliance meets the first Thu of the month, 7-9 p.m. at Walker Community Church, Meditation Room,
3104 16th Ave. S., Mpls. Upcoming date: Thu, April 2 and May 7. Join artists with disabilities and supporters to share visual art, writing, music, theater and artistic efforts or disability concerns. Informal, fragrance-free, with shared refreshments. Facilitators are Dan Reiva, Tara Innmon, Andy Sturdevant and Kip Shane. The church is fully accessible. Anyone needing special accommodations should contact Springboard for the Arts, 651-294-0907.
Springboard took over the forum from VSA Minnesota and will be distributing the Open Flow notices and Artists’ Pipeline newsletter this fall. Current subscribers will still get information. There may be some small format changes to the look of the newsletter, but otherwise, it will cover the same news and information about artists with disabilities and making the arts accessible to people with disabilities. Submit listings via the Springboard for the Arts website, or by emailing resources@ springboardforthearts.org.
Access Press wants your events
Access Press wants to hear from disability community groups and arts and entertainment organizations offering accessible events, for the Enjoy! page. The page listings include galas, banquets, fundraisers, walks and runs, open houses and other events held by disability service organizations. Arts organizations hosting accessible performances or performances or exhibit by people with disabilities are also welcome. All items submitted must be open to the public.
Submissions require complete information, such as time, date and place. Also needed are the type or types of accommodations offers, ticket costs and other means of communication. Most helpful are phone numbers and a general website address. Our policy is to limit to two means of communication for further details.
Questions? Call Managing Editor Jane McClure at 651-644-2133 or email jane@testing.accesspress.org. Submissions may go to Jane or to our general mailbox, access@testing.accesspress.org.
The Enjoy! Calendar will be evolving. Questions can be directed to Managing Editor Jane McClure at jane@testing.accesspress.org
Find arts activities
Looking for a play, concert or musical with accommodations? Although VSA Minnesota has closed its doors, other resources are available to plan that arts outing. Minnesota Access Alliance, which is affiliated with the Minnesota State Arts Board, has an online calendar listing online activities. Find the calendar and other resources at www.mnaccess.org.
Minnesota Access Alliance was formed after a group of arts and cultural administrators met through attendance at a Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) conference put on by the Kennedy Center. After an initial information session at the Bell Museum drew more than 20 organizations, it was clear that there was interest in sharing knowledge and resources about accessibility. In the spring of 2017 a formal steering committee was formed, articles of incorporation drafted – and the group settled on a name: Minnesota Access Alliance.
Other programs have been rehomed. Services for artists with disabilities, including the Open Flow Forum gatherings, will be provided by Springboard for the Arts. Andy Sturdevant will be the contact, at 651-294-0907 or www. springboardforthearts.org
School arts residencies for students with disabilities and teaching artists will be handled by Julie Strand at COMPAS, www.compas.org, 651-292-3249, 651-292-3254
Access Improvement Grants are now in the hands of the Metro Regional Arts Council: www.mrac.org, 651-645-0402; or Scott Artley, Accessibility Program Director, 651-523- 6384.Accessibility assistance can be found through the Minnesota State Arts Board (www.arts.state.mn.us, 651-215- 1600 or 800-866-2787), regional arts councils and disability organizations such as the Minnesota Council on Disabilities (www.disability.state.mn.us, 651-361-7800, 800-945-8913).
A few tips
Here are a few tips for arts lovers with disabilities, especially as some families plan to attend holiday shows. Make reservations as early as possible and confirm that the accommodation needed is available at the time and date desired. Ask about the run time of a show, so that transportation or a pickup time may be scheduled.
Plan for parking and any walking distance to and from the venue if plans are made to drive there.
It’s always OK to ask if an accommodation can be offered, if one has not been advertised. Again, it’s best to make a request as far in advance as possible.
