An ongoing project that reimagines how art can reach people who often find it out of reach, whether due to disability, limited time, financial barriers, or lack of interest. It is a community participatory work that invites people to take part in the making and experiencing of art through touch, movement, and sound. The project aims to make art part of everyday life and create a shared space where everyone can connect with creativity in their own way.
Design For America Brown X RISD
ART ACCESSIBILITY
Project Statement
The project began with a simple question of what accessibility means in the context of art. Our team explored how access can take many forms, from physical and sensory accessibility for people with disabilities to the absence of art in the daily lives of those who are too busy, financially limited, or simply distant from creative spaces. Through this process, we arrived at the idea of creating a form of public art that is tactile and interactive, something that can naturally blend into everyday environments and invite participation from anyone who encounters it.
Community Partners
We reached out to various individuals and organizations who could offer guidance or potential collaboration in developing and executing this project. Through these conversations, we aimed to understand the possibilities from multiple angles, including location, artwork development, and budget considerations. These connections have helped us explore how the project can be realistically brought to life while staying true to its goal of creating accessible and community centered art. We reached out to The Avenue Concept, 195 District Park, ds4si, Student Accessibility Services at Brown, Airflow Kinetics, and Clarke Reynolds.
Through conversations with various organizations and individuals, our project began to take a more concrete shape. We had a meaningful exchange with Clarke Reynolds, a UK-based Braille artist, who expressed interest in collaborating with us and traveling to Providence, Rhode Island to take part in the project. As a visually impaired artist known for his workshops that teach both his artistic techniques and the understanding of Braille, Clarke’s practice aligns deeply with our vision of inclusive and participatory art. Alongside this, we had a positive discussion with 195 District Park about hosting a public event for the Providence community and exploring the possibility of installing the final work as a permanent piece within the park.