Topic Category: Spaces

Physical space is complex. The ability to get into a space, navigate, use the restrooms, and enjoy the experiences being offered at a cultural organization are all necessary for accessible and equitable participation in arts and culture.

Whether you own a facility or facilities, rent or borrow space from others, you rent or lend space to others, or host temporary events, you have a responsibility to make space accessible. Space includes both public-facing spaces AND internal employee-facing spaces such as offices, stages, backstages, green rooms, and employee dining spaces. It’s not uncommon for organizations to apply different standards of access for patrons than they do for artists, presenters, performers, and employees and doing so can undermine your accessibility efforts.

In this section of the Hub, you will find information and resources relating to recommendations, requirements, and best practices to make your space as accessible as possible. You can also check out the resource page to connect with organizations and experts that you can partner with to help in this process.

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Spaces

Care and Convenience Features

Providing care and convenience features like rest seating, courtesy wheelchairs, and private spaces can make cultural institutions more accessible, comfortable, and accommodating for all visitors, especially those with disabilities.

Spaces
Specific Spaces

Classrooms, Meeting Rooms, and Studio Spaces

In arts and cultural spaces, instilling accessibility features into specific spaces like classrooms, meeting rooms, and studios (as well as general public areas) is crucial for providing equal access to all the opportunities your organization offers.

Spaces
Specific Spaces

Food Service

Arts and culture organizations should integrate accessibility features into food service spaces through thoughtful design, clear communication, and staff training.

Spaces
Specific Spaces

Galleries, Collections and Exhibits

Arts and culture organizations should implement specific accessibility best practices into all galleries, collections, and exhibits to ensure meaningful and inclusive engagement for visitors.

Spaces
Specific Spaces

Gardens and Outdoor Spaces

Arts and culture organizations should incorporate accessibility best practices into the design of gardens and outdoor spaces to ensure that all visitors can enjoy sensory experiences, community building, and engagement with nature.

Spaces
Specific Spaces

Historic Spaces

Designing accessible historic spaces involves working creatively and collaboratively with both the disability and historic preservation communities to enhance physical, programmatic, and communication access.

Spaces
Specific Spaces

Live Displays, Habitats, and Tanks

Ensuring accessibility in live displays, habitats, and tank spaces involves both design and communication considerations, which can promote inclusive engagement with exhibits while also balancing animal welfare, human access, and environmental factors.

Spaces
Specific Spaces

Office and Staff Spaces

Accessibility in office and meeting environments, including green rooms, dressing rooms, and virtual spaces, ensures that people with disabilities can fully participate in the work and collaboration of your organization.

Spaces

Physical Features

Creating accessible arts and cultural spaces requires considering various physical features, such as entrances, restrooms, and pathways, alongside existing legal requirements and standards for accessible design.

Spaces

Renting Space to or from Others

When arts and culture organizations rent or lease spaces, both landlords and renters share legal responsibility for accessibility, making it essential to address access requirements clearly in rental agreements to ensure inclusive environments and programming.

Spaces

Sensory Features

Considering and adapting sensory features — such as lighting, sound, and tactile elements — is essential for creating inclusive spaces that accommodate the diverse sensory needs of all visitors, particularly those with sensory processing differences.

Spaces
Specific Spaces

Shops and Retail

Accessible shops and retail spaces within cultural organizations require thoughtful design, clear signage, and respectful staff support, all of which are vital to ensuring that all visitors can fully engage with and enjoy their experience.

Spaces

Signage and Wayfinding

Accessible signage and wayfinding ensure that all visitors can find information necessary to navigate your cultural space with ease, independence, and dignity.

Spaces
Specific Spaces

Theaters and Auditoriums

Theatres and auditoriums must provide accessibility measures for all visitors - including audience members, performers, and staff - in order to ensure that both public and backstage spaces are usable for people with disabilities.

Topic Category: Spaces

Care and Convenience Features

Classrooms, Meeting Rooms, and Studio Spaces

Food Service

Galleries, Collections and Exhibits

Gardens and Outdoor Spaces

Historic Spaces

Live Displays, Habitats, and Tanks

Office and Staff Spaces

Physical Features

Renting Space to or from Others

Sensory Features

Shops and Retail

Signage and Wayfinding

Theaters and Auditoriums

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Topic Category: Spaces

Care and Convenience Features

Classrooms, Meeting Rooms, and Studio Spaces

Food Service

Galleries, Collections and Exhibits

Gardens and Outdoor Spaces

Historic Spaces

Live Displays, Habitats, and Tanks

Office and Staff Spaces

Physical Features

Renting Space to or from Others

Sensory Features

Shops and Retail

Signage and Wayfinding

Theaters and Auditoriums

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