New York, NY – September 9, 2024 – The Intrepid Museum, one of New York City’s top cultural institutions, has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to launch Storytelling Through Tech and Touch: Multisensory Interpretation within Intrepid’s Historic Sick Bay. This two-year project will transform seven compartments of the ship's medical facility into accessible, interactive exhibits that blend storytelling with multisensory elements and advanced augmented reality (AR) experiences. Once completed, visitors will immerse themselves in the stories of the medical personnel and patients who once served aboard the aircraft carrier Intrepid, a National Historic Landmark and the centerpiece of the Museum that draws over one million people annually.
Currently, less than half of Intrepid is open to the public. Sick bay, a critical facility during the ship’s commission from 1943 to 1974, spans 7,000 square feet and includes 24 compartments such as an operating suite, pharmacy, lab and isolation room. This grant makes possible the second phase of an ambitious initiative to open more of the ship’s historic areas, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of life aboard Intrepid. The first phase, focused on meeting safety standards through infrastructure work, is nearing completion, enabling public access to the naval medical facility for the first time since the ship’s decommissioning.
"The Intrepid Museum is dedicated to making history accessible and engaging for everyone," said Elaine Charnov, senior vice president of exhibition, education and programming at the Intrepid Museum. "This grant allows us to take that commitment even further by integrating innovative technologies and inclusive design into some of the ship’s most compelling spaces. We are excited to create experiences that reflect the diversity of our visitors and foster a greater understanding of life aboard Intrepid."
Through this project, the Museum will collaborate with the New York University (NYU) Ability Project, an interdisciplinary research initiative dedicated to eliminating barriers for people with disabilities. The Ability Project is a collaboration between the Occupational Therapy Department (NYU Steinhardt), the Technology, Culture, and Society Department (NYU Tandon), and the Interactive Telecommunications Program (NYU Tisch). Additionally, the Museum will partner with MediaCombo, a creative, award-winning media group of producers and AR technology experts specializing in digital experiences for exhibitions. Together, this team will develop a multisensory exhibition featuring audio, visual, tactile, kinesthetic, and AR elements. Throughout this process, the team will consult a Disability Advisory Group—self-advocates with diverse lived experiences and expertise—to provide ongoing feedback on each exhibit element.
Designed to engage all visitors, the exhibition will be particularly valuable for those for whom traditional museum displays are inaccessible or challenging. This includes neurodivergent visitors, individuals with sensory or cognitive disabilities, and non-native English speakers. As visitors explore sick bay, these immersive installations will help bring to life the stories of medical staff and patients, from treating minor illnesses to handling serious injuries, revealing the complexities of providing care on a Navy ship deployed around the world.
For more information about the Intrepid Museum’s accessibility initiatives and upcoming programming and exhibits, please visit intrepidmuseum.org.
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