Access Programs
Programs for People With and Without Disabilities
Crystal Bridges works with a number of organizations to develop programs for and with individuals with disabilities. Below is a brief listing of our current offerings. If you have questions about any of our Access and Inclusive Programs, or would like to make a suggestion, please contact us.
Crystal Bridges is committed to making the museum accessible for all visitors. Please note that our efforts to make our website, programs, and museum more accessible are ongoing. Learn more about accessibility accommodations the museum offers.
Neurodiverse Individuals
Sensory Friendly Bags
Sensory Friendly Bags are available for FREE check-out at any Guest Services desk in the museum. Each bag contains fidgets, noise-canceling headphones, copies of the Sensory Friendly Map and Social Narrative, and a Communication Aid and writing materials for those who would like an alternate way to communicate with our staff.
Camp Connect
Camp Connect at Crystal Bridges is a summer day-camp for neurodiverse and neurotypical children, presented in collaboration with Project Connect at the University of Arkansas. The camp features fun activities for children to engage with artwork in the museum while making connections with other children. The program is free, but advanced-registration is required.
Seniors
Creating Connections
Creating Connections is a series of virtual learning activities created to encourage connections with seniors and multigenerational groups. Each module includes an art-looking activity and project video inspired by an artwork in the Crystal Bridges collection.
Adults
Life Styles is a non-profit organization that provides supported employment, living, and educational opportunities for adults with disabilities. Once a month, Crystal Bridges collaborates with Launch—a Life Styles program designed as a college-equivalent program for young adults with disabilities. Launch students visit the museum with their Effective Communications class for a facilitated discussion in the galleries and an artmaking session in the studio. Learn more about participant experiences with Life Styles.
“I love everything I learned here because I love learning about the art history and the artists and it inspires me every day to learn about art. It inspires me to do art. I do a lot of artwork and I love art. Maybe one day my art will be in Crystal Bridges.”
—Life Styles participant
Advisory Committee
The Community Accessibility Advisory Committee
The Community Accessibility Advisory Committee consists of a small group of individuals with and without disabilities who are advocates for inclusion in Northwest Arkansas. These individuals offer their experience and expertise to help review and refine inclusive practices at the museum relating to programs, services, activities, and employment. Participants include representatives from the Northwest Arkansas Association of the Deaf, the Arkansas Council of the Blind, LifeStyles, 99 Balloons, Sources, Partners for Inclusive Communities, the ALS Association and participants from our Creative Connections program.
Access and inclusive programs are sponsored by
Loreen Arbus
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
