New Garden, New Tours: IMLS And United Health Foundation
When the Walker opened the redeveloped campus on June 10 with a day of celebratory programs and family-friendly activities, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden was not the only thing to have changed. The reconstruction provided an opportunity to reinvigorate the Walker’s tour programs for K–12 schools and the public, engaging visitors in new ways with the art and artists on view. Thanks to a Museums for America grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the tour curriculum got a major redesign in advance of the Garden’s opening in anticipation of increased interest in school and public tours. More than 20,000 visitors are expected to participate in the new tour offerings this year, thanks to generous annual underwriting from the United Health Foundation.
“As centers of learning and catalysts of community change, libraries and museums connect people with programs, services, collections, information, and new ideas in the arts, sciences, and humanities. They serve as vital spaces where people can connect with each other,” says IMLS director Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew. “IMLS is proud to support their work through our grant-making, as they inform and inspire all in their communities.”
The new tour curriculum was informed by extensive research and community consultation to ensure that the Walker is responsive to the needs of K–12 students. With the opening of the new Garden, tours are now offered in languages other than English, as are tours designed specifically for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other sensory sensitivities. American Sign Language interpretation, open captioning, verbal description, and braille and large-print materials are also provided to support visitors on tours. In addition, tours featuring STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) lessons are offered to help visitors unpack the structural accomplishments of several sculptures on view and of the Garden itself, which includes several sustainable, eco-friendly features such as green-roof technology and ambitious rainwater reclamation systems. Hands-on art-making activities in the Star Tribune Foundation Art Lab can be added to tours to help participants experiment with different media, techniques, and concepts of contemporary art that connect with themes encountered on tours.
“The Walker’s revitalized tour programs promote lifelong learning and creativity and are tailored to the specific needs of our community,” says United Health Foundation president Chris Stidman. “They directly contribute to the wellness of the Twin Cities, and support the United Health Foundation’s mission of building healthier communities.”
