Diversity | Equity | Accessibility | Inclusion

students seated in a gallery with arts from asia being spoken to by a museum guide students seated in a gallery with arts from asia being spoken to by a musem guide

The Lowe Art Museum values a broad range of perspectives from our visitors, employees, volunteers, students, faculty, and community. The Lowe acknowledges that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion practices are vital to the museum's future. To request materials in accessible format, sign language interpreters, and/or any disability accommodation, please contact the museum at loweartmuseum@miami.edu or call 305-284-3535 at least two weeks in advance of your visit to initiate your request. TTY users may also call 711 (Florida Relay Service).

Defining DEIA (Adapted from the Minneapolis Institute of Art)

  • Diversity: At the Lowe Art Museum, diversity is defined as the characteristics and attributes that make each of us unique at the individual or group level. Diversity has many dimensions, including gender identity and expression, race, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and age; as well as cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, life experiences, skills, thoughts, perspectives, and ideas.  
  • Equity: Equity involves acknowledging diversity, celebrating what makes us unique, and working together to eliminate barriers that prevent participation of all people and communities. Building equity requires that we seek an understanding of the underlying causes of disparities within our society, and strive to address and overcome them, in order to fulfill our commitment to providing equal opportunities in our employment and other practices.
  • Inclusion: While diversity always exists in social systems, inclusion and equity must be fostered. At the Lowe, we need to do this by cultivating an environment where people feel supported and listened to. As a museum with a global collection, it is our mission and responsibility to ensure that our staff, interns, and volunteers demonstrate cultural competence, and that our collections and programming reflect and respond to diverse needs, interests, and cultures of our communities here in Miami and beyond.  
  • Accessibility: An accessible museum is one that is inclusive of, and makes accommodations for, people with all types of disabilities. At the Lowe, we are committed to creating accessible environments throughout the institution’s physical building and in our practices; and providing the public with physical and intellectual access to the museum and its resources. We believe these commitments strengthen the institution for everyone. 

Services for Visitors with Disabilities 

Everyone is welcome! The Lowe Art Museum aims to make our exhibitions and programs accessible to all visitors with the help of the following services and amenities:

1. Accessible Parking: Visitor drop-off/pick-up is located at the front of the museum. Accessible parking is available at several locations near the museum including in the parking lot adjacent to the museum.

2. Wheelchairs: A limited number of wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis, free of charge. Please inquire at the Information Desk upon arrival. The Lowe also welcomes the use of personal walkers, wheelchairs, and mobile scooters.   

3. Closed Captioning: Most videos for special exhibitions are closed-captioned.  

4. Service Animals: In accordance with titles II and III of the ADA, the Lowe welcomes service dogs only. Service dogs must be housebroken as well as harnessed, leashed, or tethered to their accompanying individual.

With the exception of service animals that meet the federal government’s guidelines for animals trained to perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a qualifying disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), visitors are not permitted to bring animals into the Lowe Art Museum. Visitors may not bring any other animals into the museum, including but not limited to pets or emotional support animals.

5. Restrooms: Fully accessible restrooms are available throughout the museum, as indicated by signs. Please refer to the museum map for specific locations. 

6. Campus and Museum Maps:

 

If you have accessibility needs, please contact the museum ahead of time for assistance with accessible parking locations or other information.