OUR MISSION
We founded Touch the Art in 2022 to make art accessible and engaging.
Our mission is to amplify the voices of marginalized and visually impaired & blind individuals who are often left out of fine art spaces. Through Touch the Art, we’re highlighting their stories and talents to foster a deeper appreciation for their artistic contributions.
Touch the Art engages all senses—all art can be touched.
WELCOME!
Touch the Art was born in response to signs saying “Don’t touch the art”, to challenge the status quo and often inaccessible nature of most gallery exhibitions.
After a visit to the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) in 2019, we were inspired to create a show that lets attendees break rules and touch art.
We partnered with TSBVI for our first show in 2023. We included 8 professional artists and 20 student artists (ages 14-19). Our first year of Touch the Art focused on education, career development, networking and creating art for display and sale during our exhibition, with proceeds going to the artists and students.
In 2024, we expanded the program to include 51 artists. We started with a paid 6-week mentorship program for 5 professional artists to lead 16 TSBVI students (ages 14-19) and collaborate on installations. We were trained by TSBVI staff on incidental learning, equitable accessibility and non-verbal communication. The artwork created was exhibited and sold alongside art from 30 additional artists in an immersive month-long show with music, activities and a documentary.
Attendees were fully immersed in an experience that evoked all of the senses.
I WANT TO PARTICIPATE!
We thought you would! We’re expanding again in 2025 with more ways to involve the whole community.
APPLICATIONS COMING SOON:
TOUCH THE ART IN THE NEWS:
Partners
We’re touched by their support
This project is supported in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
PAST SHOWS
The seeds for Touch the Art were planted in early 2019 during our first ever ART Bus Tour.
Through an open call we selected 8 professional artists to create touchable artworks. Each artist was invited to attend art classes at TSBVI, learning alongside 20 high-school-aged students, with a focus on education, career development, and networking.
Over 700 guests attended the exhibition to see and feel the 74 works created for display and sale, with proceeds going to the artists, including $2,208 to TSBVI students.
ANGRY CLOUD + Christina Smith + DeLoné Osby + Hannah Busekrus + J Muzacz + Liza Fishbone + Natalie Earhart + Tabria Williford + The Art Students from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
SENSORY INSTALLATIONS BY
Mesmerize + TVHeadATX + Dogbotic + Tori Christensen
MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT
Queer Vinyl Collective + hubbledvision presents Thereheis & jeanhorus
We started with a paid 6-week mentorship program for 5 professional artists who led 16 TSBVI students to collaborate on installations for the experience.
TSBVI staff trained artists on incidental learning, equitable accessibility and non-verbal communication.
The artwork created was exhibited and sold alongside art from 30 more artists in an immersive month-long show with music, activities and a documentary.
Allison Lash + Brandon Dudley + Dil Jones + Jill Hudson + Mesmerize + Natalie Earhart + The Art Students from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired + Veronica Ceci + Zachary Zulch
EXHIBITING ARTISTS
ANGRY CLOUD + Beili Liu + BoPHo + Casey Alfstad + Charissa Hearon + Christina Smith + Corey Robbins Design + Cyd Precious + Dylan Y Quinn + FEEBEE + Hannah & Nemo + Hannah Matthia + Hartzeeb + ilikeu + Innerloop Glass + J Muzacz + Jmoo + Karmita + Lara Heine + Lindsay Laser Smith + Litzy + Liza Fishbone + Mateo Gutierrez + Melissa Lynn Art + Montrel Beverly + NikkiJo + Ohnoohyah + Paola Sire + Quest + Rigo Ortiz + Roxolana The Artist + Sky Khan + SLOP + Stellar Roz + Tammie Rubin + The Bead Bitch + The Happy Hooker + The Puzzled Co.
MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT
Trupica & B-MONEY of TSBVI + Henry Invisible
