Matter at Hand: Then and Now

"To the heart of the matter through the hand of man" was the original concept for the Matter at Hand program, founded in 1973 by the Junior Group of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. Initially, Matter at Hand tours were directed toward individuals with visual impairments, but this expanded in the late 1970s to include individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. The program was staffed by volunteers in conjunction with the Education Department and assistance from the curatorial staff.

In 1981, additional funding allowed the Gallery to hire a program coordinator to lead tours and further develop the program. Matter at Hand expanded to include single Gallery visits and ongoing community outreach workshops. Eventually, the community outreach component was eliminated to enable more individuals to benefit from viewing works of art in a museum setting.

The Matter at Hand program continues to evolve. Today, trained art therapist Julie Szarowski-Cox schedules and conducts all group visits and community events. The term "special needs" includes individuals with developmental, physical, mental, or emotional challenges. Groups that have participated in the Matter at Hand program include individuals from group homes, day rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, residential treatment facilities, mental health facilities, outpatient treatment programs, schools, and individuals with visual
or hearing impairment.

Each year, Matter at Hand sponsors an exhibition in the Gallery's Education Department, highlighting the artwork of those who have participated in the program. This annual event is marked by a special community reception honoring the children and adults whose work is displayed. In 2007, more than 200 artists, staff, and community members attended this exciting event.

Matter at Hand also offers special community events. These programs encourage families to come together and enjoy a leisure activity specifically designed to accommodate families with special needs, and to introduce the general public to the Gallery's commitment to quality programming for special needs populations.

The Matter at Hand program is made possible through the generous support of the the James H. Cummings Foundation, Inc. Endowment and the Eileen and Rupert Warren Charitable Fund, and HSBC - North America.