Which practices can be used in guided tours for visually impaired visitors?
The Van Abbemuseum offers visually impaired visitors guided tours that are geared to the needs, wishes and capabilities of this target audience. The specially trained tour guide makes use of senses other than sight, so that visitors with a visual impairment can enjoy art to the full.
During the tour, original artworks can be touched and the art is brought to life through the use of tactile replicas and materials, embodiment, smell, taste, music, literature and poetry. This guided tour practice was developed with and extensively tested by the target audience. A new tour through a different part of the museum is arranged each month, so there is always something new for you to discover!
Tactile replicas
You’re not allowed to touch most artworks because they are often too fragile or valuable. However, during the Unlimited Van Abbe guided gallery tours, visitors are allowed to touch a number of artworks thanks to the use of special tactile replicas and miniature reproductions of paintings and sculptures.
Embodiment of the art
Another method of introducing art to blind or partially sighted visitors is embodiment. This involves the visitor being placed in the position of the artwork, so that he or she can physically experience it.
To find out more about the Van Abbemuseum’s special guided tours, please visit the website.
Sponsored by
The Unlimited from Abbe programme is sponsored by participants in the BankGiro Lottery. In April 2014, the programme coordinator Marleen Hartjes used this contribution to start preparations for the Special Guests programme, which was opened to the public in October of the same year.