Success on the Spectrum

Practical Strategies for Engaging Neurodiverse Audiences in Arts and Cultural Organizations

Emily Wiskera; Anna Smith; Tina Sue Fletcher; Lynda Wilbur and Francis Yong Chen

The role of arts and cultural institutions is changing. Once viewed as stewards of objects, institutions are increasingly upheld as stewards of people—spaces where the diversity of human experience is asserted, explored, and celebrated. As such, they function as public resources and should be equally accessible to all members of diverse communities.Individuals with autism spectrum disorder account for a significant portion of the community. Advocates are working to shift attitudes and nomenclature, with terms such as neurodiversity and sensory-friendly becoming more commonplace. With this, cultural institutions are putting effort into creating tailored programs and resources to welcome neurodiverse visitors who have historically been excluded from these spaces. Despite their desire to connect, many cultural workers fear they lack the expertise or resources needed to effectively create inclusive spaces and experiences.This book's content is presented by museum educators, arts administrators, occupational therapists, and school psychologists—contributors with different expertise and perspectives on the stakes of cultural arts experiences for neurodiverse visitors.We offer advice based on what has worked for us and share the sometimes-difficult lessons learned along the way. However, this advice comes with the caution there is no one-size-fits-all solution. To be truly successful, arts and cultural institutions must respond to their unique community and work within the resources and limitations of their institution.Our practical goals for the reader are threefold:

To understand the value of programming for neurodiverse visitors and effectively communicate this to others,
To build a toolkit of strategies and resources for neurodiverse visitors to have successful visits to cultural institutions, no matter the staff size, budget, or current stages of accessibility,
To develop evaluation strategies to gauge the impact of offerings for neurodiverse visitors with results that help the reader improve, grow, and refine for the future.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 310 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-1-5381-7101-1 • Hardback • February 2024 • $139.00 • (£107.00)

978-1-5381-7102-8 • Paperback • February 2024 • $59.00 • (£45.00)

978-1-5381-7103-5 • eBook • January 2024 • $56.00 • (£43.00)

Subjects: Business & Economics / Museum Administration & Museology

Success on the Spectrum

Practical Strategies for Engaging Neurodiverse Audiences in Arts and Cultural Organizations

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

The role of arts and cultural institutions is changing. Once viewed as stewards of objects, institutions are increasingly upheld as stewards of people—spaces where the diversity of human experience is asserted, explored, and celebrated. As such, they function as public resources and should be equally accessible to all members of diverse communities.Individuals with autism spectrum disorder account for a significant portion of the community. Advocates are working to shift attitudes and nomenclature, with terms such as neurodiversity and sensory-friendly becoming more commonplace. With this, cultural institutions are putting effort into creating tailored programs and resources to welcome neurodiverse visitors who have historically been excluded from these spaces. Despite their desire to connect, many cultural workers fear they lack the expertise or resources needed to effectively create inclusive spaces and experiences.This book's content is presented by museum educators, arts administrators, occupational therapists, and school psychologists—contributors with different expertise and perspectives on the stakes of cultural arts experiences for neurodiverse visitors.We offer advice based on what has worked for us and share the sometimes-difficult lessons learned along the way. However, this advice comes with the caution there is no one-size-fits-all solution. To be truly successful, arts and cultural institutions must respond to their unique community and work within the resources and limitations of their institution.Our practical goals for the reader are threefold:
- To understand the value of programming for neurodiverse visitors and effectively communicate this to others,
- To build a toolkit of strategies and resources for neurodiverse visitors to have successful visits to cultural institutions, no matter the staff size, budget, or current stages of accessibility,
- To develop evaluation strategies to gauge the impact of offerings for neurodiverse visitors with results that help the reader improve, grow, and refine for the future.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 310 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-1-5381-7101-1 • Hardback • February 2024 • $139.00 • (£107.00)

978-1-5381-7102-8 • Paperback • February 2024 • $59.00 • (£45.00)

978-1-5381-7103-5 • eBook • January 2024 • $56.00 • (£43.00)

Subjects: Business & Economics / Museum Administration & Museology

Author

Emily Wiskera has worked in museum education since 2011, with a focus on accessibility. As Interpretation Specialist at the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA), Emily develops interpretive materials for collections and exhibitions. She was previously the DMA’s Senior Manager of Access Programs and Resources, developing programs for visitors with dementia, Parkinson’s disease, autism, cognitive disabilities, mobility disabilities, and those who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind or low vision. She has written extensively on autism programming and trauma-aware practices in museums. She is passionate about creating dynamic, equitable arts experiences that encourage visitors to create, reflect, share, and connect.Anna Smith has nearly twenty years of experience in museum education and has been Curator of Education at Nasher Sculpture Center since 2011. She directs a team that strives to remove barriers to museum experiences for learners with a range of backgrounds and identities. Leading with an emphasis on collaboration, Smith participates directly in programming while upholding administrative aspects of the education department and serving on the museum’s senior leadership team. Smith holds degrees in Art History and Museum Education and has published and presented on modern and contemporary artists, the role of art in healthcare, and reaching homeschool audiences. Tina Fletcher is a professor emeritus at Texas Woman’s University and was a special education therapist in public schools. She has a research doctorate in curriculum design and master’s degrees in figurative sculpture and allied health education. She has over 40 publications on autism, social participation, and creativity in occupational therapy, arts, and museum science journals, and book chapters on creativity, action research, and sensorimotor impairment in children, worked internationally as an autism program developer and was awarded Academic Educator of the Year by the Texas Occupational Therapy Association. She is an ad hoc reviewer for multiple museum journals.Lynda Wilbur is Manager of Access and Outreach Programs at Nasher Sculpture Center and has been creating meaningful museum experiences for over two decades. She initiated and expanded the museum’s accessibility programs for neurodiverse, blind, and vision-impaired visitors, adults with cognitive disabilities, and children with life-threatening medical conditions. Wilbur seeks to foster a person’s love of art and sense of belonging, whether at the museum or at a community event. She has published articles and presented at state and national conferences. Wilbur earned MA and MEd degrees and was honored with Southwest Airlines’ Hospitality Champion Award for her museum work.Francis Yong Chen (he/him/his) has been a professional in the field of school psychology since 1999. He works with a neurodiverse population from preschool to adults over 18 in the school system, including students who are autistic. In this role, Chen works with the students directly and consults with parents and school faculty and staff. He offers parent training to give parents an understanding and working knowledge about neurodivergence. His passion is advocacy. He has co-authored articles in support of transgender and nonbinary youth and was awarded the Outstanding School Psychologist of 2020 Through the Texas Association of School Psychologists.

Reviews

In this volume, a diverse team of authors engage the essential intersections of museum and arts education, accessibility, special education therapy in public schools, and the field of school psychiatry. The book exemplifies a robust, user-centered grounding that ensures consideration of research and expertise about neurodiverse audiences, outreach and terminology, and those providers of complementary learning and social supports. The content illustrates how these key resources are realistically woven into planning and development, communications, staff and volunteer training, and operations and assessment of informal arts programming for neurodiverse audiences. While one might think that the geographic focus might limit the applicability of this rich case study, the text's depth of content, clear writing, scalable approaches, and lessons-learned offer an excellent resource for the public, students, graduate programs, researchers, funders, public schools, and service providers. This book elevates the role of cultural institutions in serving and welcoming neurodiverse audiences. While the content includes an emphasis on those audiences with autistic diagnoses, it is also encompasses audiences with other neurodiverse tendencies. Finally, the authors highlight the unique assets and limitations that are important for managers as they plan for and invest in such programming. Recommended. All readership levels.

— Choice Reviews

Success on the Spectrum is full of wisdom, experience, and heart. By showing and telling, the authors embody the DIY spirit, passion, and scrappiness they encourage others to cultivate when creating experiences for neurodiverse publics. This book will inspire you to 'start your own band,' one that champions the idea that what is good for some benefits all.

— Laura Evans, PhD; Distinguished Teaching Professor; Director of Art Museum Education Certificate; University of North Texas