Low sensory event World Autism Awareness Day

Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art | Photograph: J Ruckli

Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art | Photograph: J Ruckli / View full image

When

9.00 – 10.00 am, Thu 2 Apr 2026

Where

Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art

Accessibility

  • Low Sensory/Relaxed

What to Expect

Admission

Free

About

To acknowledge World Autism Awareness Day, QAGOMA will open from 9.00am to 10.00am for a special low sensory hour.

Volumes will be lowered and high sensory exhibits will be signposted. There will be no public announcements.

Autistic visitors and anyone with sensory sensitivity or disability are warmly invited to enjoy a quieter, more relaxed visit before the galleries open to the public.

The God of Small Things: Faith and Popular Culture exhibition at QAG will open early for a quieter, before-hours viewing.

Olafur Eliasson: Presence at GOMA will also be open early for a quieter experience. Exhibition ticket required.

Other free exhibitions at GOMA will also be open, including Archie Moore: kith and kin and the Children's Art Centre Project Vipoo Srivilasa: Express Yourself. Free, suitable for all ages.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact the group bookings office.

Group Bookings Office

Young visitors unwinding in the Pop-up Calm Room | Photograph: C Sanders

Young visitors unwinding in the Pop-up Calm Room | Photograph: C Sanders / View full image

Pop-up Calm Room

Available from 9am-5pm on Thursday 2nd April 2026, the Pop-Up Calm Room is a space to reset, calm the senses, and take time out in a quiet area with low light levels. Situated on level 2 at GOMA, this quiet area gives visitors a comfortable place to sit and calming activities when they need a break.

By entering the Pop-Up Calm Room, you agree to minimise noise and place your personal devices on silent or use headphones.

What to Expect

Here’s what to expect at this event.

Everyone is welcome! Please contact groupbookings@qagoma.qld.gov.au in advance of the program if you have any access needs or queries about the event. Find out more about Accessibility at QAGOMA and planning your visit.

Participation and content

  • You are welcome to come with a friend or by yourself. Many people attend the Gallery solo.
  • Breastfeeding and bottle feeding are welcome anywhere in the Gallery.
  • For the safety of artworks, food and drink cannot be consumed in the Gallery except by children seated in a pram.
  • For health and safety reasons, shoes must be worn while in the Gallery.
  • Themes/artworks in this exhibition may trigger emotions or memories.
  • Themes/artworks in this exhibition may trigger anxiety or uncomfortable physical symptoms.
  • This exhibition contains interactive elements.
  • If the exhibition becomes overwhelming or stressful, sensory kits are available.

Sensory aspects

  • Screens or audio-visual projections are used throughout the exhibition.
  • We try our best to minimise sound in the space, but sometimes there might be low level noise from a nearby artwork or the sounds of the Gallery. If the sound becomes overwhelming, earmuffs are available.
  • Areas of the exhibition are dimly or brightly lit. You can wear a cap and/or sunglasses if you are sensitive to bright light.
  • This exhibition contains large-scale, imposing artworks, which may be visually confronting to some viewers.
  • This exhibition contains moving or suspended objects, which may be visually confronting to some viewers.
  • Bathrooms have sensor lights which activate as you enter.
  • The Gallery air conditioner temperature is set to 21°C to conserve the artworks.
  • High sensory artworks will be signposted.
  • This event will be photographed/filmed by QAGOMA staff. If you do not wish to be photographed/filmed, please advise a QAGOMA staff member on arrival.