Art For The Visually Impaired

Education      Inspiration       Joy

Arte Divine is uniquely positioned and singularly prepared to guide the visually impaired through an extraordinary sculptural journey. 

We watched as children encountered the sculpture, and the wonder and happiness on their faces was simply thrilling to see, as a whole new world opened to them. Through the coming years, literally thousands of young people will have the same opportunity, the same moment of joy.

Arte Divine is proud to be part of the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, founded in 1869 and gifted to the Holy See in 1924. Today, the institution, with over 3,500 physicians, nurses, researchers and staff, is the largest sub-specialty children’s hospital and research center in Europe. With your help, we hope to be able to provide similar experiences to visually impaired children around the world.* 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 39 million blind and 246 million visually impaired people in the world who, lacking the faculty of sight, will never have the opportunity to appreciate art in the way most of us take for granted: by simply walking into a museum or exhibit when and where we choose. For the blind, touching is “seeing.” It is the only way they can experience art directly and it requires proximity as a matter of necessity. However, in most circumstances this is not possible because access is restricted and touching is prohibited: the original art is just too valuable and often fragile. 

Arte Divine is leading an effort to resolve this problem by utilizing cast marble, a durable and non-fragile medium, to bring the most consequential artwork from around the world to schools, hospitals and other institutions, where they may be directly accessed without risk of damage thus solving the issue of proximity. The integration of proprietary sub-surface sensor implants in conjunction with a personal audio device creates an interactive, hands-on opportunity for the visually impaired which brings the sculpture to life and facilitates a more comprehensive and fulfilling learning experience. As the participant moves their hands over the surface of the sculpture the sensors trigger the relevant commentary through the listening device: audio and touch come together on a multi-sensory platform so that works of art become speaking models. 

Arte Divine is bringing the real and tangible benefits of art education to those who cannot see by providing access to the world’s greatest sculptures and an opportunity to experience the life-enhancing power of art through direct tactile experience.