Koko Okano

3.21 Aiming for More Accessible and Inclusive Art Museums – Introducing the Multisensory Approach of Italian Museums to Japan (Paper) – virtual

Koko Okano – University of Macerata, Italy – virtual

Abstract:

In 2022, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) introduced a new definition of museums, emphasizing that they are “open to the public, accessible, and inclusive, museums foster diversity and sustainability”. With the changes in the definition, art museums around the world are now looking for ways to make their institutions more open to diverse audiences. My research on the ways the Italian museum Museo Tattile Statale Omero practices multisensory learning to make art museums more accessible and inclusive led me to create and direct, in 2022, the documentary film: Le mani toccano il mondo – The Hands Touch the World (le-mani.com/en/). The written comments and contributions received from the participants of nearly forty projections followed by tactile workshops in major art museums and universities all over Japan from 2022 to 2025 will be analysed in this presentation. The analysis will show how a tactile approach to artworks enhances the museum experience not only for people with visual impairments, but for all individuals living in contemporary society.