Sensory-Friendly Morning
September 24, 202310:00 am - 11:30 am
Admission is free, but attendees must register for tickets in advance.
Photo: K Holmes
About the Event
Sensory-Friendly Morning is a free program for all people who benefit from visiting the MCA without large crowds and other sensitive environmental elements. This includes visitors with sensory sensitivities, disabilities, autism, PTSD, dementia, and more. On these mornings, lighting at the museum is dimmed, sounds from artworks and environmental noise is kept at a minimum, and a quiet space is available to visitors for breaks. During Sensory-Friendly Mornings, preregistered individuals and their families can visit the museum to explore exhibitions at their own pace, and join a Chicago-based artist for a sensory-friendly art-making experience. The museum is closed to the general public until 11:30 am; at that time, the lights and artworks return to usual operations.
Sensory-Friendly Morning aims to be a welcoming space to experience contemporary art in a judgment-free environment.
For information on getting to and around the museum as well as details about MCA accessibility initiatives, visit our Accessibility page, or ask any Visitor Experience Associate during your trip; they’re more than happy to help you navigate the museum. We’ve included a quick guide here as well.
Quick Guide
Parking and Curbside Drop Off
For drop off, cars can pull over on Mies van der Rohe Way, which runs north-south directly in front of the museum, between Chicago Avenue and Pearson Street. Curb cuts appropriate for wheelchair access are available on each street corner.
The MCA’s parking garage has accessible parking spaces and we offer $16 flat-rate parking for those who use those spaces. Stop by the admissions desk or coat check for an accessible parking validation.
Accessible Entrances
For entry, the museum’s accessible, plaza-level entrances are located at the corner of Chicago Avenue and Mies van der Rohe Way (through the MCA Store) and at the corner of East Pearson Street and Mies van der Rohe Way (Marisol and theater entrance).
Restrooms
Restrooms are available throughout the MCA. Multi-user men’s and women’s restrooms are available in the first-floor lobby and come equipped with baby-changing stations. Take the north elevator or staircase to the first floor. Restrooms are on either side of the theater entrance (men’s to the left; women’s to the right).
Single-occupant, all-gender restrooms are located in the Commons on the second floor, accessible by the north and south elevators. These can be found on either side of the south wall, to your right when entering the Commons from the atrium.
If you need a private restroom or a place to breastfeed, please seek out a friendly Visitor Experience staff member who would be glad to help.
Sensory Kits
The MCA has sensory kits available for visitors at the MCA. Please seek out a friendly Visitor Experience staff member who would be glad to help you check one out.
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome inside the MCA. Pets that are not registered as service animals, including emotional support animals, are not allowed inside the MCA.
Service animals are trained to assist people with disabilities in the activities of everyday living. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines service animals as “any animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.” Service animals must be always on a leash and under their owners’ control.