Discover Durham's Accessible Visual Art and Science Activities

When our three sons were younger, we collected equipment and materials to encourage the family to participate in hands-on projects: markers, paint and paper for creating art and a magnifying glass, microscope, rulers and glass slides for science experiments.

Once the boys were older, we took them to art galleries and science museums, pointed out murals on walks and participated in community activities to support their education and growth.

Our son, Ben, who was born with a genetic disorder, enjoys these art and science activities in a different way. He’s nonverbal and uses a manual wheelchair to get around. Although he may not always want to participate in the same way as his brothers, he’s always up for a visit in the community. Durham’s accessible galleries and museums provide Ben with social interactions, views of artists’ work and exposure to the scientific world.

Note: Check websites directly for detailed information about accessible programs, admission fees and hours of operation.

Visual Art

Seeing art at a museum isn’t unusual. But finding art in unexpected places such as on the side of a warehouse or inside a hotel can be thrilling: Is it an artist local to Durham? Does the art tell a story?

Durham’s art scene continues to grow in public spaces and provide opportunities to view work created by regional and international artists at the city’s private and university galleries.

21c Museum Hotel

This boutique hotel exhibits contemporary art throughout its public areas – all within an almost 100-year-old former bank building in downtown Durham. Enter 21c Museum Hotel on the first floor to visit the restaurant, Counting House. Grab a bite or a specialty drink and soak in the art on display – it’s spectacular.

Head to the second floor via the elevator and tour six galleries, all accessible in a wheelchair. The exhibits rotate throughout the year. A free docent led tour is offered every Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. Sign up online for the 30-to-60-minute talk.

Accessible bathrooms on the second floor and mezzanine level are available at 21c Museum Hotel.

Golden Belt Campus

Golden Belt Campus, a restored historic textile mill, features the Golden Belt Artists Main Gallery with rotating exhibits. Art is in many public spaces. Golden Belt Warehouse studios and galleries are open to visitors during regular campus hours and during Third Fridays, Durham’s monthly art walk and gallery crawl. Settle in the outside patio – picnic tables, fire pit and green space – and enjoy pizza from Cugino Forno, beer from High Wire Brewing and ice cream from Two Roosters.

Accessible bathrooms and parking, wide hallways, elevators and ramps to elevated spaces make the campus easy to traverse.

Nasher Museum of Art

Admission to Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University is free and includes access to rotating exhibits and a permanent collection featuring underrepresented artists, artists of African descent and exhibitions featuring Medieval art, pre-Columbian American and more.

Reserve a table for brunch, lunch or dinner at the museum’s café. The menu features cheese plates, entrees, salads and sandwiches.

Through the fall of 2025, while the Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family Sculpture Garden is being constructed, the ADA guest access is at the back of the building; signs mark the way to the ramp at the loading dock. This Nasher Museum of Art’s website page is updated with the most recent information about construction and parking. Detailed information for Nasher Museum of Art’s ADA access, bathrooms, parking, service animals and wheelchair availability is listed here.

North Carolina Central University Art Museum

With more than 1,300 works in its permanent collection and a focus on 19th and 20th-century African American art and culture and five special exhibits each year, the North Carolina Central University Art Museum is a must stop for art enthusiasts. Exhibits are accessible by wheelchairs.

Third Friday

Every third Friday of the month, from 6 to 9 p.m., is a celebration of art from Brightleaf Square to the Golden Belt Campus and Geer Street to the American Tobacco Campus. Browse artist studios, galleries and shops. Accessible parking is available in downtown Durham and other Third Friday destinations. Folks who need assistance getting around downtown can catch a ride on The Bull Ride, Downtown Durham, Inc.’s free, six-seater shuttle. The Bull Ride runs Thursdays and Fridays from 4:30 p.m. to midnight and Saturdays from noon to midnight. Hail the purple, branded cart or call 919-962-BULL.

UHill Walls

More than 40 murals by regional, national and international artists comprise UHill Walls – an art project inside and outside UHill Apartments, near Duke University’s West Campus. Learn a bit about Durham’s history while posing for post-worthy photos.

While you’re in Durham, keep an eye out for other murals on the sides of buildings or make a game of it to see who can find the most first. Pick up a Mural Durham Finder at the Visitor Info Center in downtown Durham.

Science

Science exploration doesn’t have to end once you’re out of school. Curious minds still want to enjoy animals, exhibits and interactive experiences available in Durham – no matter what age.

Duke Lemur Center

View at least eight species of Lemurs at the Duke Lemur Center. The general tour gains visitors time with an educator who can answer questions and tell you all about these primates from Madagascar. All tours, including the behind-the-scenes tours, workshops and private tours require a reservation. The general tour path and gift shop are ADA accessible. Share any special accommodation requests with staff when your tickets are ordered.

You can find detailed information about the Duke Lemur Center’s accessibility, service dogs and wheelchairs on their website.

Museum of Life and Science

The Museum of Life and Science includes interactive indoor and outdoor exhibits. Aerospace’s Launch Lab has hands-on activities while Carolina Wildlife gives visitors a close-up view on native animals to North Carolina such as the alligator and salamander.

Outside, visitors will find the dinosaur trail, farm animals, playground, pollinator garden, red wolves and more. In Hideaway Woods, a ramp leads to one of the treehouses, and the train has one car set up for wheelchairs.

Many of the Museum of Life and Science staff have been trained through the University of North Carolina TEACCH Autism Program. Cool-down kits with headphones and sensory toys are available at the admissions desk. A photo-driven schedule to introduce the museum to people on the spectrum or with sensory issues may be found here. The museum offers a sensory program twice a year: Loud noises are turned down or off, the train turns off the horn or whistle, and UNC TEACCH staff are on hand to help.

All walkways and paths are ADA-compliant. Caregivers to people with disabilities receive free admission to the museum. If you need a quieter time to visit the museum, ask staff when the museum is not as busy. Weekends and weekdays with camps and school groups visiting are the most crowded times.

The Museum of Life and Science shares details about accessibility, cool down room, mobility, sensory friendly kits and service animals here.

With all these ideas for art and science adventures, it will be easy to map out places to visit based on your particular interests.