Deaf Cultural Festival
Sep 13, 2025
10:00 am
–
4:00 pm
Free
Museum admission includes entry to Deaf Cultural Festival
Honor the rich history of art, identity, and empowerment in the d/Deaf and hard of hearing communities
Explore American Sign Language (ASL) through hands-on art activities and enjoy entertainment from distinctly Deaf perspectives.
ASL and Live English interpretation will be provided for all performances and workshops. Additionally, various interpreters will be stationed around the Info Desk, Kirkwood Hall, and the Sculpture Hall. Once it’s available, refer to the festival schedule for specific info about the types of interpretation offered at each event.
Performances
ASL Lit Performances
10:30–11 am | repeats 2:30–3 pm | Atkins Auditorium, Lobby Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Live performances by students from the Kansas School for the Deaf! Students who won the ASL Bowl will perform poetry and stories in American Sign Language.
Features ASL interpretation, voice interpretation, and CART captioning
ASL Storytelling
11:30 am–noon | 3–3:30 pm | Kirkwood Hall, Level 1, Nelson-Atkins Building
Michelle Plummer and Marie Qualls bring stories to life through expressive American Sign Language, creating a fun and engaging experience for children and their grown-ups. Come laugh, learn, and enjoy the magic of storytelling!
Features ASL interpretation, voice interpretation, and CART captioning
Noah Buchholz: American Sign Language Poetry & Storytelling
1–2 pm | Atkins Auditorium, Lobby Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Join Noah Buchholz for an hour of American Sign Language poetry and storytelling. His poems are a unique blend of rich narratives and lyrical expressions, which take you on a journey through his experiences as a Deaf individual, tales from his Deaf family passed down through three generations, and his musings beyond the Deaf experience.
Features ASL interpretation and voice interpretation
Artmaking Workshops and Art Walks
Dreamcatcher Workshop with Hallie Zimmerman
10:30–11:45 am | 2:30-3:45 pm | Classrooms 4 & 5, Lobby Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Join artist Hallie Zimmerman for a hands-on workshop exploring the traditional art of woven dreamcatchers. Hallie will share insights into her own artwork, the cultural significance of dreamcatchers, and guide participants through the basics of weaving their own.
This activity is first come, first served and limited to 40 participants per workshop.
Features ASL interpretation and voice interpretation
ASL Art Walk
11:30 am – noon | Repeats 3-3:30 pm | Meet in Bloch Lobby
Follow Deaf Educator Micki Keck in the museum galleries to discuss and learn about portraits in the museum’s collection.
This activity is first come, first served and limited to 15 participants per tour.
Features ASL interpretation and voice interpretation
Activities
Drop-in Activity – ASL Spiral Collage
10 am – 4 pm | Kirkwood Hall, Level 1, Nelson-Atkins Building
Use ASL handshapes to collage your own celebratory message to share with others!
SELF-GUIDED ASL TOURS ON SMARTIFY
Use the free Smartify mobile app to uncover stories about art in the Nelson-Atkins collection! In Smartify, search “Nelson-Atkins” and go on your own self-guided tour in American Sign Language!
More to Explore
Resource Booths
10 am – 4 pm | Kirkwood Hall and Sculpture Hall, Level 1, Nelson-Atkins Building
Visit with our community partners—The Whole Person, Kansas School for the Deaf and the Museum of Deaf History, Arts & Culture—and learn about available local resources from the Kansas and Missouri Commissions for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and DeafLEAD.
Features ASL interpretation
Free festival pins for Nelson-Atkins members
10 am–4 pm | Info Desk, Bloch Lobby
If you’re a member, stop by the Info Desk in Bloch Lobby to claim your free Deaf Cultural Festival enamel pin! To collect your pin, present your member ID card or digital membership receipt. If you’re not a member, join online or visit the Info Desk to learn more about membership opportunities.
Know our three rules
- Stay at least two feet from the art. Please do not touch, lean on, or sit on the art, including outdoor sculptures and the reflecting pool.
- No backpacks in the galleries. We offer free coat and bag check in the Bloch Building lobby. Alternatively, carry your bag or wear it on the front of your body.
- No food or drink in the galleries. Guests are permitted to eat outdoors and in designated indoor dining areas.
Thank You
Thank you to our museum volunteers and members, whose support makes festivals like this possible. To learn more, visit the Info Desk in Bloch Lobby or ArtAndSoulKC.org.
A special thank you to our community partners:
The Kansas School for the Deaf
The Whole Person
Museum of Deaf History, Arts & Culture
Save the Date:
Día de los Muertos Festival | Sunday, Nov. 2 | 10 am-4 pm
