Walker Art Center Launches Sensory Friendly Evening, a New Quarterly After-Hours Program
The Walker Art Center is launching Sensory Friendly Evening, a new quarterly after-hours program designed for adults with sensory processing differences, autism, or developmental disabilities.
The free program will take place on select Wednesday evenings from 5:30–8 pm. During the event, the Walker will be closed to the general public, giving visitors more space and a calmer environment to explore the museum.
Sensory Friendly Evening was developed in response to feedback from visitors who attend the Walker’s monthly Sensory Friendly Sundays. Since that program began in 2018, some participants have asked for similar events geared toward adults at other times of the week, especially in the afternoon or evening. Though the Sensory Friendly Evening is designed for adults, all are welcome. The program is being shaped with input from community advisors and accessibility partners to better serve adult visitors.
“We are so grateful to the many neurodivergent leaders and community members who have shaped Sensory Friendly Evening. Through their advocacy we learned that a sensory friendly program designed for adults would meaningfully increase access to arts and culture programming within the Twin Cities. With their insight we’ve curated Sensory Friendly Evening to be a calm and welcoming environment for folks to explore the Walker, engage in art-making, and connect with art.”, says program organizer Hannah Novillo.
Each Sensory Friendly Evening will include a selection of exhibitions, art-making activities, and a short, open-captioned film. Sound and other sensory elements in the galleries will be adjusted where possible. Visitors can also use accommodations such as quiet spaces, fidgets, a sensory map, and sunglasses.
For the next Sensory Friendly Evening, visitors can experience Walker Design Triennial: Beyond Materialism and This Must Be the Place: Inside the Walker’s Collection, make art with guest teaching artist Grover Hogan, and watch a sensory friendly film in the Mediatheque Theater. Seasonal activities may also be offered, including Walker Mini Golf in the summer. Future Sensory Friendly Evening dates will be October 21, 2026 and January 13 and May 12, 2027.
Masks are required for all visitors over two years old to support everyone’s health and safety. Accommodations are available for those in your party who are unable to wear a mask. For more information, email access@walkerart.org or call 612-375-7561.
Sensory Friendly Sunday, 2026. Courtesy Walker Art Center. Photo: Kameron Herndon.
Sensory Friendly Evening
Wednesday, Oct 21, 5:30–8 pm
Walker Art Center
TICKETS
Ordering tickets is easy: visit walkerart.org/tickets or call 612-375-7600. Box office is open Wednesday–Sunday and one hour before performances.
ACCESSIBILITY
For more information about accessibility, visit our accessibility page. For questions on accessibility or to request additional accommodations, call 612-375-7564 or email access@walkerart.org.
About the Walker Art Center
The Walker Art Center is a renowned multidisciplinary arts institution that presents, collects, and supports the creation of groundbreaking work across the visual and performing arts, moving image, and design. Guided by the belief that art has the power to bring joy and solace and the ability to unite people through dialogue and shared experiences, the Walker engages communities through a dynamic array of exhibitions, performances, events, and initiatives. Its multiacre campus includes 65,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, the state-of-the-art McGuire Theater and Walker Cinema, and ample green space that connects with the adjoining Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The Garden, a partnership with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, is one of the first urban sculpture parks of its kind in the United States and home to the beloved Twin Cities landmark Spoonbridge and Cherry by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Recognized for its ambitious program and growing collection of more than 16,000 works, the Walker embraces emerging art forms and amplifies the work of artists from the Twin Cities and from across the country and the globe. Its broad spectrum of offerings makes it a lively and welcoming hub for artistic expression, creative innovation, and community connection.
Acknowledgements
This project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Family programs are supported by the KHR McNeely Family Foundation, thanks to Kevin, Rosemary, and Hannah Rose McNeely.
Lead support for the Walker’s Learning and Public Programs is provided by the Pohlad Family Community Engagement Fund. Additional support is provided by Susan and Rob White.