Accessible Arts in St. Pete-Clearwater
Beyond the award-winning beaches of St. Pete-Clearwater,
travellers discover world-renowned arts and culture. Home to eight walkable
museums within the lively downtown St. Pete community and dozens more ranging
from traditional to immersive, the destination’s thriving arts and culture
offering perfectly complement its 35-miles of white sugar sand beaches.
Recognising the transformative power of art, museums across
St. Pete-Clearwater offer accessible programmes for visitors navigating the
world differently, including those with autism, sensory challenges, dementia,
and visual and auditory impairment. With the support of the Center for Autism
and Related Disabilities at The University of South Florida, museums have
developed online visual guide CARDs to help guests with sensory processing
differences prepare for their visit.
No matter one’s ability, the world of art and history in St.
Pete-Clearwater is open to all. Below is an accessible guide to some of the top
museums in destination…
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art
Telling the history of the American West, The James Museum houses
more than 400 premier works of art, amplifying the voices not often represented
in mainstream western art. With a mission to inspire human connection and
transformation through art, the museum offers sensory-friendly mornings and
dementia friendly tours, welcoming all visitors regardless of ability.
Designed for neurodivergent and sensory processing
differences, Sensory-Friendly Mornings are hosted quarterly allowing
children and adults the chance to explore the museum in a safe, supportive
environment. Beyond these special mornings, the museum offers sensory kits and
a digital Visual Guide CARD to help visitors enjoy the galleries in comfort.
Visitor’s living with visual impairments can experience the
museum in its fullest through Touch Tours. These dedicated events allow
visitors to engage the museum’s collection through the senses of hearing, smell
and touch.
For those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, Art In
Mind is an innovative and inclusive gallery experience. Led by trained
docents, this judgement-free tour fosters connection and expression through
art. Visitors can book an Art In Mind tour online ahead of their visit.
Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg
St. Pete’s first downtown waterfront arts museum, the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA)
boasts the only comprehensive collection of its kind on Florida’s west coast
with over 20,000 works. Featuring art from Monet, O’Keeffee, and Morisot, the
museum ensures these masterpieces are available for all to enjoy through colour
enhancing tools, sensory-friendly resources, and American Sign Language (ASL)
tours.
To ensure all visitors can experience art the way it was
designed by the artist, MFA provides specialty glasses designed to enrich
colour vibrancy for those with colour blindness and low colour vision. Visitors
simply need to request a pair of glasses at reception upon arrival. Extending
accessibility further, ASL tours can be arranged by advanced booking, allowing
deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors to fully engage with the art.
Additionally, MFA provides sensory objects including
noise-cancelling headphones and fidget tools alongside a Sensory Guide CARD to
help guests plan and enjoy their visit.
FloridaRAMA
One of St. Pete-Clearwater’s most unique museums, FloridaRAMA tells the story of Florida through immersive, interactive art. With a dynamic mix of light and sound that can be activated by visitors, the museum offers a stimulating environment that might feel overwhelming for some guests. To create a welcoming experience for all, the museum hosts Sensory Saturdays which feature reduced noise and lighting.
For guests visiting outside dedicated times, sensory bags are available at the front desk which includes headphones and fidget tools, while the on-site quiet area offers a calming break space. Staff are also trained to support visitors with autism and other sensory needs ensuring every guest can explore with confidence. The online sensory maps and social narratives are available for advanced visit planning.
St. Pete-Clearwater is committed to ensuring the joy of art and culture is open to everyone. To learn more about accessibility offerings, please visit individual experience websites or explore an overview at www.visitstpeteclearwater.com.