Accessibility

ACRE is committed to providing an accessible and welcoming experience for all artists and visitors. We are eager to work with you directly to ensure we will be able to meet your needs.

Visitors to the Residency Program in Wisconsin

The residency is located on a 1000-acre farm in Wisconsin’s Driftless Region. Living, dining, and studio spaces are communal.

The residency is comprised of several main buildings and several outbuildings located around the residency property. Residents regularly travel between buildings for meals, to use facilities, or participate in workshops, performances, or other activities during the session.

While the main buildings are wheelchair accessible, the property's terrain and some of the farm structures and outbuildings may not be accessible to everyone. Specifically, a communal studio area and the looms for our fibers department are located on the second floor of a building with no elevator.

Each facility is managed by a volunteer artist tech who is able, to the best of their ability, to help with studio activities and projects that may require physical assistance. There is a volunteer staff person “on-call” at all times to provide assistance to residents including shuttles around campus, assistance with basic navigation, and emergency assistance if necessary. 

All of our sleeping accommodations and the majority of our facilities are ground-floor accessible. The majority of the common areas including our dining hall/kitchen, main lodge, and library are wheelchair accessible.

All common restrooms and a selection of private restrooms within sleeping accommodations are wheelchair accessible. Accessible private restrooms feature a raised toilet seat and shower chair. Additionally, all common restrooms are gender-inclusive.

We are prepared to produce or facilitate accommodations such as large print materials, wheelchair ramps, travel assistance, adjusted or private sleeping accommodations, and any other actions that our volunteer staff are reasonably able to fulfill.

Service animals can be accommodated on a case by case basis. All service animals must have up to date paperwork and a current vet check and flea treatment. 

Environmental Irritants and Allergies Notice:

ACRE’s location is a rural farm, which means that there is increased exposure to the ample flora and fauna on our campus, including in our many open air buildings. In addition, a farm dog and a number of farm cats live on the property. Along with potential animal dander, those with moderate to severe allergies should be prepared to encounter insects, plants and grasses. 

The buildings at ACRE are constructed with a majority of recycled materials, primarily constructed with salvaged wood. When in combination with humid summer conditions some building spaces can become musty and may be uncomfortable for guests with strong sensitivities to dust and odors. Every room is cleaned before each session and has access to fresh air via screened windows. Additional cleaning supplies are available to use at any time. 

Visitors to ACRE Projects Chicago

Getting to ACRE Projects:

Parking

ACRE Projects does not have a designated or connected parking lot. There is metered street parking throughout the neighborhood, including on N. Clark Street, directly in front of the gallery. Limited free street parking is available on Halsted Street, which is 0.1 miles or one block west od ACRE. There is a curb inset at the corner of N. Clark Street and Oakdale Avenue directly in front of ACRE’s entrance, allowing for individuals to be dropped off.

Public Transit

The closest CTA train stop is Wellington on the brown/purple line, which is located 0.4 miles from ACRE. This is an ADA-accessible stop with an elevator from street level to the platform and waiting areas. Belmont on the red/purple/brown line is another viable option, located 0.5 miles away. This station also has an ADA-accessible stop with an elevator from street level to the platform and waiting area.

All CTA buses running along Clark Street are wheelchair accessible. The 22 bus runs along Clark Street with nearby stops at Clark and Wellington, Clark and Surf, and Clark and Orchard, all between 300-500 feet from ACRE.

At ACRE Projects: 

Please contact ACRE ahead of your visit with any questions or concerns at info@acreresidency.org or exhibitions@acreresidency.org. COVID-19 masks are not required but strongly encouraged and are available in the gallery. 

Admission

ACRE Projects is free and open to all.

Accessible Entrance

ACRE’s front entrance, located on the corner of N. Clark Street and Oakdale Avenue, is at ground level with a 4-inch step to enter the building. There is a single push-pull door at the entrance. A portable ramp is available with advance notice; please email info@acreresidency.org or exhibitions@acreresidency.org to ensure availability.

Stairs and Elevator

ACRE is located on the ground floor and basement of a residential apartment building. The main gallery space is on the ground floor. The basement functions as storage and temporary studio space. ACRE does not have an elevator, and the basement is only accessible via a stairs: a single 4-inch step from the front entrance into the gallery; a single 4-inch step from the gallery to the stairwell, which is located behind the gallery; and a 12-step curved staircase from the landing behind the gallery into the basement.

Seating

Seating is available throughout the space. Folding chairs without armrests are readily available.

Restroom

There is one wheelchair-accessible, all-gender bathroom located on the ground level, inside the main gallery space.

Service Animals

ACRE welcomes service animals.

Gallery Lighting

The gallery is a storefront that receives plenty of natural light. Spotlights are used to light ACRE’s exhibitions, which we can turn on or off to support visitor’s access needs and experiences.  

Air Circulation

The storefront gallery has radiator heat and two remote-controlled air conditioning units. There is no HVAC system in the basement to regulate temperature. 

Printed Materials

Large-print checklists and exhibition texts are available at the entrance of the gallery.

Public Programs/Events:

Wheelchair-accessible seating is available for all programming. 

ACRE uses live captioning during public lectures and discussions on a case-by-case basis. ACRE also hosts ASL interpreters at public programs on a case-by-case basis. If you would like to request live captioning or ASL interpretation at an event, please email exhibitions@acreresidency.org at least two weeks in advance of the program.

Additional accessibility resources change based on the type of programming. Please contact us for more information on program-specific resources. 


Your contact for questions, additional information, accress-related requests and to provide feedback is ACRE’s Executive Director Kate Bowen (info@acreresidency.org).