Art After Dark, for Everyone: How AANFA is Embracing Sensory-Friendly Festivals

Making Art at Night Shine for Everyone: A Sensory-Friendly Success Story

The Challenge: Atlantic Art at Night Festivals Alliance (AANFA) wanted to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all art enthusiasts, but large crowds, bright lights, and loud noises can be overwhelming for some attendees with sensory sensitivities. If you thought creating a sensory-friendly night festival was impossible, rest assured, we were up for the challenge! And most importantly, so was the night festival staff and teams. Their deep knowledge of their festival audiences, locations, participants, staff and volunteers is a critical part of training. Importantly, sensory-friendly solutions are created with people, not for them.

Sensory Friendly Solutions helps with Training

Sensory Friendly Solutions partnered with AANFA to provide a live, virtual training program designed to educate the festival teams about how to transform their nighttime festivals into sensory-friendly havens. For example, here’s some of of the things we taught and explored together:

• Understanding the Eight Senses: Our training goes beyond the five senses. Importantly, we consider all eight senses (touch, taste, smell, balance, movement, and interoception) to ensure inclusivity for attendees with diverse sensory needs. The most fun part of our training is when Founder and CEO Christel Seeberger leads the group through 3 seated exercises to “prove” the experience of 3 of our senses: movement, balance and interoception.
• Commonly with our training, learners are surprised discovering their eight senses, and, additionally, by how pervasive sensory sensitivity and sensory overload are in the population (1 in 3 people).
• Finally, the group also provided a list of questions in advance that we responded to in a document that they could refer to at any time in future.

We Teach A Multi-Sensory Approach:

Here are some of the things we taught AAFNA about a sensory-friendly night festival:

• See: We encourage festivals to offer virtual tours, clear signage, and sensory maps outlining areas with varying levels of stimulation.
• Hear: Noise-canceling headphones, sign language interpreters, closed captions, and sound checks ensure clear communication for everyone.
• Touch: Smaller crowds, sensory kits with fidgets, and wider walkways create a more comfortable experience.
• Taste: Allow attendees to bring their own food and providing food information in advance addressed dietary needs and potential sensitivities.
• Smell: A scent-free environment minimizes discomfort for those with fragrance sensitivities.
• Movement: Ample space, clear pathways, and accessible seating options cater to attendees with mobility differences.
• Balance: Plenty of seating options give people places to rest.
• Interoception: Dedicate calm spaces for those seeking a break from overstimulation.

In additiona, you can sample more of our expertise at other types of festivals and events! For instance, catch our blog on transforming music festivals into inclusive experiences for all: How to Make a Music Festival Sensory-Friendly.

The Impact of Sensory Friendly Changes

By implementing these strategies, AANFA can create a more inclusive experience for everyone at their festivals. In fact, one of their group approached us for a proposal to include in a grant submission about making their digital presence sensory-friendly, too! The training participants were engaged and “leaned in” to learning. They really showed how they were ready to apply simple solutions straight away and were seeking resources for solutions that needed more time or a little funding. Their committment to making their festivals more accessible and more inclusive was evident.

Taking Inspiration from AANFA and create your own sensory-friendly night festival or event of your choosing!

Inspired by AANFA’s success? Sensory Friendly Solutions can help your arts and culture organization achieve the same results. Our training program equips you with the knowledge and tools to:

• Create a welcoming environment for all attendees.
• Increase attendance and brand loyalty.
• Demonstrate your commitment to social responsibility.

In conclusion, Are you ready to make your arts and culture events truly inclusive? We hope you say, yes! Watch this short video about our training membership that will help you with all the courses you need for one low cost.

The Power of Inclusion in Action: discover how others created sensory-friendly environments with Sensory Friendly Solutions in these case studies:

Let’s Make Sensory-Friendly a Reality: Funding and Resources Abound!

Envisioning a welcoming and inclusive space for all is a beautiful dream. But budgetary concerns can feel like a hurdle. Here’s the good news: there are funding solutions waiting to be explored!

Dive into our blog post, Making Inclusion a Reality: Funding Your Sensory-Friendly Transformation and discover a treasure trove of possibilities. Grants, community partnerships, and creative fundraising ideas – this post equips you with the knowledge to bridge the gap between vision and action.

Remember, sensory-friendly design is an investment in a more inclusive future for everyone. Let’s turn dreams into reality together!