WAM for Everyone

Everyone is welcome at WAM to experience art in their own way and on their own terms. Our aim is to make the museum as easy and safe as possible to navigate and use.

Arriving at the museum

• WAM is located at Itäinen Rantakatu 38, on the banks of the River Aura in Turku.
• There is a ramp and an automatic door-opening button at the main entrance, but the route through the main entrance is not fully accessible.
• Accessible entrances are located between the Turku Music Centre Fuuga and WAM, and from the terrace area into the café. These entrances have automatic door-opening buttons and contrast markings on the glass.
• The exhibition spaces, museum shop, café and toilets are all accessible. The different exhibition levels can be reached by lift.
• Drop-off, pick-up and accessible parking: The accessible parking space and the safest place for drop-off and pick-up are located between WAM and the Turku Music Centre Fuuga. There is currently no public transport route stopping directly near WAM.
• The river embankment next to the museum is currently undergoing renovation works, which may cause noise and vibration.

Entrance and ticketing

• The ticket desk and customer service are located in the museum lobby. From the accessible entrance on the Fuuga side, the lobby can be reached via the corridor alongside the museum shop.
• There is a cloakroom and lockers near the shop, as well as in the lobby.
• Personal assistants are admitted to WAM free of charge.
• Guide and assistance dogs are welcome.You can buy your museum ticket in advance from our online shop or at the ticket desk. Our staff are happy to help with ticket purchases.
• When booking a group visit, please let us know in advance about any accessibility requirements so that we can work together to ensure a smooth visit.

Getting around the museum

• The exhibition spaces are located on different levels.
• The spacious galleries can sometimes make it difficult to get a sense of the layout and find your way around. A tactile map in the lobby helps visitors understand the layout of the museum.
• Tactile floor markings guide visitors from the entrance to customer service and the tactile map.
• The exhibition spaces are accessible by lift. The lifts do not have audible announcements.
• Tactile signage helps visitors navigate the exhibition spaces.
• There are seats in the exhibition spaces where you can rest. Raised-height chairs are available in the lobby and on floors 0 and 1 of the exhibition spaces.
• An accessible toilet and baby-care facilities are located in the museum lobby and next to the workshop space.
• The café is accessible.

Accessibility equipment

• Wheelchairs for short-distance use, folding chairs, a walking stick and pushchairs are available to borrow from the museum lobby.
• Pushchairs, rollators, wheelchairs and similar mobility equipment can, if necessary, be left in storage areas in the lobby or in the space next to the museum shop.
• A hearing loop is available at the information point in the lobby, in the café and in the museum shop. It can also be moved to another location if needed.
• A range of equipment is available to borrow from the lobby to help make your visit more neuro-inclusive.
• Please ask our staff if you need further information or assistance with accessibility equipment, storage or getting around the museum.

Toilets

• An accessible toilet and baby-care facilities are located in the lobby toilet area and next to the workshop space.
• There is a visitor toilet on level 0 of the exhibition spaces. This toilet is not accessible.All WAM toilets are gender-neutral.
• WAM accepts the Toilet Pass.

A more sensory-friendly museum visit

• The museum can be noisy, particularly during busy periods. Works on display may also cause sensory overload, especially works involving sound, light, video and/or other media.
• The exhibition on the basement level is dimly lit and includes works with sound.
• The Primal Force collection exhibition features sculptures, paintings and one video work. The gallery containing the video work is dimly lit, and the work has a calm soundscape.
• Equipment to help make your visit more neuro-inclusive is available to borrow from the lobby. Please ask our staff for more information.
• WAM does not have a dedicated quiet room. Depending on visitor numbers, a potentially less stimulating space can be found on level 0 next to the lift. It has a sofa and beanbags where you can take a break.
• WAM will organise quieter afternoons when we aim to reduce sensory stimuli. We cannot guarantee a completely quiet or otherwise low-stimulation museum experience, but during these quieter afternoons we pay particular attention to noise levels, lighting and atmosphere. Please also be mindful of the atmosphere for other museum visitors.
• You can enjoy art in a relaxed way during Lie-Down Fridays. On Friday afternoons, beanbags and floor mats are placed in the exhibition galleries, allowing you to explore art from a relaxed, lying-down perspective – you don’t have to do anything else! 

To help make your museum visit go smoothly

• Please do not touch the artworks. If an artwork is intended to be touched, this will be clearly indicated in the exhibition space.
• Coat racks and lockers are available in the lobby. Please leave backpacks, larger bags and other bulky belongings in the free lockers.
• Studded footwear is not permitted in the exhibition spaces.
• Children are very welcome at WAM and remain the responsibility of the adult accompanying them.

Safer space principles

WAM does not tolerate discrimination, bullying, racism or any other inappropriate behaviour towards our customers, audiences, partners or staff.

• Our museum and workplace are free from discrimination, bullying and harassment of any kind. At WAM, everyone is welcome to be themselves.
• Treat others with consideration.
• Discussion around art is welcome. Please also give other visitors space to concentrate on the art.
• Art can evoke strong emotions. At WAM, there is room for many different interpretations. Listen to others.
• If you disagree, try to express your views constructively.
• If you experience or witness inappropriate behaviour, please tell a member of staff.

If you have any questions, please ask our staff!

We are constantly working to improve our services and value your feedback. You can provide feedback on any aspect of our activities through the City of Turku’s feedback service.