The Cleveland Museum of Art Announces Sensory-Friendly Saturdays and the Addition of EnChroma® Color-Blind Glasses

CLEVELAND (October 25, 2023)—The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) continuously seeks opportunities to enhance the visitor experience, in its effort to make the museum accessible to the broadest possible audience. In accordance with this objective, the CMA is pleased to announce two additions to its already robust ADA-compliant offerings: Sensory-Friendly Saturdays and EnChroma® color-blind glasses.

“Since we opened our doors in 1916, the CMA has been committed to making all visitors feel welcome,” said Todd Mesek, chief marketing officer. “The statement ‘for the benefit of all the people forever’ was written into Jeptha Wade’s 1892 deed of gift for the land on which the museum stands. It reflects our strong belief that the CMA should serve as a place for inspiration, wonder, and meaning for all people. By making the museum more accessible, we hope a wide array of guests can experience the CMA in new ways.”

Sensory-Friendly Saturdays

Beginning in October 2023, Sensory-Friendly Saturdays offers adaptations to meet diverse sensory-processing needs on the third Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Guests on the autism spectrum, experiencing dementia, and with intellectual or developmental disabilities are invited to participate in a calming museum experience with less stimulation, before the museum opens to the public—reducing crowds, noise, and distractions.   

Guests can explore the galleries at their own pace, relax in the designated quiet area, and share this time and space with open-minded members of the community. Detailed information to help plan your visit can be found on our website. 

EnChroma®  Color-Blind Glasses

Color blindness affects more than 350 million people worldwide, including 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women.* Impacting the hues and tones of many colors, this condition can make a significant difference in the way a person perceives the world, including art. It’s estimated that only 10% of hues and shades can be seen by those with color vision deficiency.

The CMA is pleased to now offer visitors with color vision deficiency the opportunity to view art the way it was intended thanks to EnChroma® color-blind glasses. There are eight pairs of glasses available to borrow at the ticket desk in the north lobby on a first-come, first-served basis.