Access Policy

 

University of Warwick Art Collection

Policy Framework – Access Policy 2025–27

 

1. General Principles

The University of Warwick is committed to maximising access to its modern and contemporary art collection.

The Collection is for everyone, regardless of:

• Ability or disability
• Age
• Cultural or social background
• Faith or belief
• Gender or sexuality
• Language or location
• Wealth or income

 

Access is provided through:

• Buildings and collections
• Website and research resources
• Social media channels
• Programmes and staff support

 

Risk assessments balance open access with responsible care of collection items.

Protective measures and preventative conservation ensure objects remain accessible.

Access benefits all people, not only those with specific needs.

Emergency procedures (including evacuation) are delivered by trained staff: fire marshals, uniformed staff, and first‑aiders.

This policy aligns with:

• University Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies
• Social Inclusion Strategy
• Equality Act 2010 and Public Sector Equality Duty
• Equality Objectives are developed every four years in consultation with the Warwick Community. Progress is reported to the Social Inclusion Committee.

2. Scope

The Collection includes over 1,000 works: ceramics, drawings, paintings, photographs, prints, and sculptures.

Works are on open display across:

• University of Warwick campuses (Coventry and Warwickshire)
• Warwick Business School, The Shard (London)
• Wellesbourne Innovation Campus

 

3. Removal or Mitigation of Barriers

Barriers to access are identified and addressed in:

• Display planning
• Engagement initiatives

See Appendix 1 for details.

4. Employment and Training

Employment practices do not discriminate against people with disabilities.

The Social Inclusion team and the People team monitor and review procedures regularly and update managers.

Curatorial staff receive:

• In‑house training
• Training from museum organisations and specialist agencies

The Art Collection supports access to the industry by offering:

• Workplace training and experience for students and young talent from Coventry
• Paid employment for students

5. Review, Recommendations, Implementation, and Evaluation

The Principal Curator ensures access to the Collection.

Access strategies are reviewed every two years and reported to the Art Collection Committee.

Recommendations are implemented by:

• Curatorial team
• Estates team

Compliance with the Equality Act 2010 includes:

• Non‑discriminatory policies, practices, and procedures
• Provision of auxiliary aids and services
• Removal or alteration of physical barriers by the Estates team

Access provision is reviewed through:

• User surveys and feedback
• Specialist audits arranged by Estates

Substantial improvement recommendations go to the Social Inclusion Strategy Committee.

Feedback informs meaningful actions and collaboration with communities to improve access.

 

 6. Policy Review Cycle

This Access Policy is reviewed every two years.

Scheduled reviews:

• 2027–28
• 2029–30
• 2031–32

 

 Miles Oldale

Acting Art Collection Curator
November 2025

Appendix 1

This appendix outlines barriers to access and provides checklists of measures to remove or mitigate them, in line with the University of Warwick’s social inclusion strategies, museum best practice and resources

 

1. Attitudinal Barriers

Some individuals may lack awareness of, or interest in, the Art Collection and its programmes.

Others may feel they require permission to enter the university campus.

Checklist:

• Promotional activities present the Art Collection as a welcoming, inclusive, and non-threatening destination.
• Public-facing staff ensure visitors feel welcome on arrival and are supported to engage at their own pace.
• Initiatives are developed with community partners and linked to wider areas of interest, helping people feel valued and comfortable.
• Physical destinations are clearly signposted, accessible, and openly invite participation, offering encouragement to those who may feel uncertain about entry.

 

2. Cultural Barriers

Some people may feel the museum does not reflect their cultural or social heritage, or their interests.

Checklist:

• The Art Collection reflects the diversity of the University and Coventry through acquisitions and displays of culturally diverse work in prominent public spaces.
• People from different cultural and social backgrounds are actively involved in developing activities and resources.
• Programming respects cultural calendars and traditions when scheduling events.

 

3. Economic Barriers

Some individuals may be unable to afford travel to campus or participate in programmes.

Checklist:

• Free access to the Art Collection, available 365 days a year, is highlighted in all promotional material.
• Promotional materials include information about public transport and cycle routes.
• Information about every artwork is freely available. Where charges apply, flexible pricing and ticket options are offered to ensure affordability.

 

4. Geographic Barriers

Some people may experience barriers to visiting artworks due to distance.

Checklist:

• The Art Collection has a dedicated, regularly updated website within the University of Warwick domain, with entries for each artwork: warwick.ac.uk/services/art.
• Curatorial staff aim to respond to enquiries within five working days.
• The Art Collection Committee supports loans of artworks to other not-for-profit organisations, provided security and accessibility are prioritised.

 

5. Information, Learning and Communication Barriers

Some individuals may experience challenges in engaging with the Art Collection because:

• The content or presentation may feel too specialist or academic.
• They may have diverse learning needs or disabilities that affect how they process information.
• They may face language barriers that make resources or interpretation less accessible.

Checklist:

• Language used in displays, resources, publications, websites, and social media is tailored to intended audiences, ensuring clarity and accessibility.
• Learning programmes are adapted to diverse needs, offering multiple entry points and non-verbal forms of engagement.
• A layered approach to interpretation is provided, including:

• Artwork labels and display panels
• Leaflets and maps of the Sculpture Park
• Interactive trails and booklets, including a non-verbal trail
• Guided tours
• QR code links to online resources and artist websites
• Dedicated website with artist/object pages, resources, and online exhibitions
• Family Days and Schools Events
• Practical, artist-led workshops
• Drop-in family activities
• Bespoke tours and events tailored to specific audiences or themes

 

6. Neurodivergence

• People who are neurodivergent may find bright or noisy environments distressing.
• Information may sometimes be presented in formats unsuited to their needs.
• Activities may lack opportunities for respite.

Checklist:

• Information is presented in large, sans serif fonts, with images used where possible to reinforce meaning.
• Guidance about noisy areas to avoid, quiet trail routes, and spaces for respite is available on our website and at the Welcome Point in the Arts Centre.
• Activities are designed to be relaxed, allowing participants to leave and return as needed.
• Curatorial staff arrange tailored tours with reasonable adjustments to meet individual needs.

 

7. Physical Access

People with physical disabilities or limited mobility may face barriers in accessing the campus, website, social media channels, or programmes.

Checklist:

• All buildings, learning and event spaces, cafés, cloakrooms, toilets, and information desks are accessible to wheelchair users and people with assistance dogs.
• Most buildings have lift access to all floors, and displays are not located in areas without lift access.
• Where external artworks cannot be sited adjacent to paved areas, they are positioned to remain clearly visible from accessible routes. Alternative access is provided through online resources, handling materials, images, texts, and staff-led talks.
• Physical access information, including details about blue badge parking and wheelchair provision, is available online and at the Warwick Arts Centre Box Office.

 

8. Sensory Access

People with hearing or visual impairments may encounter barriers in accessing the museum, website, social media channels, or programmes.

Checklist:

• In collaboration with specialist organisations (e.g., RNIB), printed resources meet accessibility guidelines, including minimum 16pt font size.
• Audio guides via Auria are available to support access.

• Following a 2023 audit, panels with larger type and phototext labels are being introduced to replace smaller labels. We aim that all smaller labels will be phased out by the end of 2027.
• Tours with audio description, British Sign Language (BSL), and other tailored formats are offered as resources permit.
• The Art Collection website complies with the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) AA standard.

 

9. Technological Access

Some people may not have access to a computer, the internet, or a mobile phone.

Checklist:

Resources are published both online and in print, meeting RNIB specifications. Printed materials are:

• installed adjacent to artworks
• available from Warwick Arts Centre
• distributed to community organisations such as libraries.

 

10. Feedback

Feedback is important. It tells us where we are not providing appropriate access and helps us to prioritise change and to improve facilities.

Checklist

• Feedback forms are available at the Sculpture Park Welcome Point to ensure inclusive participation.
• The Art Collection is included in visitor surveys at the Mead Gallery
• Visitor Experience Assistants in the Mead Gallery and Arts Centre Operations Assistants are trained to provide information, receive feedback, and conduct surveys.
• The Social Inclusion Team comment on this policy.