At the Timken, we believe great works of art can deepen observation, encourage reflection, and foster human connection. Through accessible programming, the museum serves as a space where visitors of all backgrounds and abilities can engage meaningfully with art, ideas, and one another.
Programs
Since 2024, the Timken has offered Empathy Tours that invite participants to experience art through new perspectives, fostering compassion, understanding, and meaningful human connection. These engaging programs encourage participants to consider how others perceive and navigate the world, using art as a catalyst for dialogue, reflection, and shared understanding.
Through thoughtfully-designed experiences, participants may engage in descriptive listening exercises while blindfolded, hear firsthand from a visually impaired artist about creating and experiencing art, explore tactile object handling, or participate in guided art-making activities centered on self-awareness, resilience, and empathy. Tailored for audiences ranging from elementary students to medical students, each program demonstrates how art can deepen emotional intelligence, strengthen communication, and inspire more compassionate communities.
Impact
"The Timken's empathy through art experience is the first of its kind to me. I don't think I can compare it to other empathy training methods I have experienced in the past. I loved the thought and execution of art being opened to a wide array of audience members that are hearing or visually impaired or neurodivergent." - Medical Student "
Amazing - I have never seen anything like the empathy through art and the textiles for those who are visually impaired" - Medical Student
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