PLAIN TEXT WEBSITE GUIDE Alter State Digital Launch 9 – 13 November 2021 Alter State Main Page Wominjeka yearmann koondee biik Wurundjeri balluk. Welcome to the land of the Wurundjeri people. We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we gather and meet, the Wurundjeri, Woi-Wurrung people, and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge the Taangata Whenua of Aotearoa, and their Elders, past and present. Me Mahi Tahi Taatou mo te Oranga o te Katoa. We shall work together for the wellbeing of everyone. We wish to extend our respect and acknowledgement to First Nations Elders across Australia and the First Nations artists who come together as part of this program.   Welcome / Wominjeka / T?n? koutou Alter State is a celebration of disability, creativity and culture. Co-presented by Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria, Alter State is a major arts and disability event engaging artists and audiences across Australia and Aotearoa (New Zealand). In November 2021 Alter State will launch with a week-long digital program. Seeding something unique for arts and disability, the program invites audiences to gather, be curious, and connect with disabled artists across a range of free online events. The Alter State Digital Launch will provide the foundation for the first major festival in late 2022. Auslan Welcome video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYsaHyrhjuQ&t=2s Alter State Digital Launch Week An exciting moment to see work from Australia and Aotearoa that celebrates creativity and disability. The Alter State Digital Launch provides the foundation for the first major festival in late 2022. This online launch event will feature: * Korero (conversation), * Discussions, * Workshops and * Performance experiences that reflect our region’s cultures and histories. Audiences will experience Deaf and Disabled artists telling their own stories, in their own ways. This includes new work commissioned by Joshua Pether and Rodney Bell, especially for Alter State. Alter State Digital program information Opening and Welcome to Country Talks and Ideas 9 November 2021 Online Register (link) https://acml-tnew-prod.tnhs.cloud/74553 More info (link) https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2021/festivals-and-series/alter-state/opening-and-welcome-to-country Patrick William Carter Talks and Ideas 9 November 2021 Online Register (link) https://acml-tnew-prod.tnhs.cloud/74746 More info (link) https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2021/festivals-and-series/alter-state/patrick-william-carter The Museum of Us – Telling It Like It Is – Using Text for Change Talks and Ideas 10 November 2021 Online Register (link) https://acml-tnew-prod.tnhs.cloud/74669 More info (link) https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2021/festivals-and-series/alter-state/museum-of-us-working-with-text Hau Tipua o Aotearoa Talks and Ideas 10 November 2021 Online Register (link) https://acml-tnew-prod.tnhs.cloud/74749 More info (link) https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2021/festivals-and-series/alter-state/hau-tipua-o-aotearoa Parked - Virtual Creative Exchange Talks and Ideas 10 November 2021 Online Register (link) https://acml-tnew-prod.tnhs.cloud/74671 More info (link) https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2021/festivals-and-series/alter-state/parked-creative-development Culture and Access Talks and Ideas 11 November 2021 Online Register (link) https://artsaccessaustralia.org/alter_state-culture-and-access-shaping-the-arts-world-we-want-to-live-in/ More info (link) https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2021/festivals-and-series/alter-state/culture-and-access Room to Rest Talks and Ideas 11 November 2021 Online Register (link) https://acml-tnew-prod.tnhs.cloud/74418 More info (link) https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2021/festivals-and-series/alter-state/daisy-sanders The Museum of Us – Deafuturama Talks and Ideas 12 November 2021 Online Register (link) https://acml-tnew-prod.tnhs.cloud/74944 More info (link) https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2021/festivals-and-series/alter-state/museum-of-us-deafurama The Museum of Us – Embodiment Workshop Talks and Ideas 13 November 2021 Online Register (link) https://acml-tnew-prod.tnhs.cloud/74423 More info (link) https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2021/festivals-and-series/alter-state/museum-of-us-authentic-dances The Museum of Us Accessible Event Ongoing Online Explore now (link) https://www.together.vic.gov.au/arts-access-victoria-presents-museum-us More info (link) https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2021/festivals-and-series/alter-state/museum-of-us The Principals of Alter State The Alter State Principles have been developed by Rodney Bell, Joshua Pether and Carly Findlay OAM in collaboration with Caroline Bowditch (CEO, Arts Access Victoria) and alongside Arts Centre Melbourne. The Alter State Principles are: * Equity * Disability Identity & Pride * Disability Consciousness * Crip Time * Aesthetics of Access * Reduced Barriers * Accountability Honouring the Principles, we mindfully work together with kindness and generosity. Personal health, whanau, family and community take priority. The Principles Overview will be released in late October 2021. We look forward to sharing the Principles with you then. Alter State Foundation Artists Disabled artists and accessibility has shaped Alter State from its beginning. In November 2019, facilitator Ahmarnya Price led a creative development workshop with three leading independent artists from Australia and Aotearoa: * Carly Findlay OAM * Joshua Pether * Rodney Bell This disability-led creative development established the group as Alter State Foundation Artists. They identified key provocations for the festival to respond to. They established Alter States overarching principles. The Foundation Artists and these principles continue to shape all aspects of Alter State’s development, planning and delivery.  Carly Findlay OAM Image of Carly Findlay OAM. Alt text: A profile photo of a woman with a red face, short dark curly hair, smiling. She’s wearing a colourful floral dress, standing in front of a teal curtain.    I hope Alter State fosters a great sense of disability pride among artists and performers and that artists can connect with each other so they see what’s possible for them, both a disabled and non-disabled audience. Carly Findlay OAM, Writer, speaker & appearance activist Alter State Foundation Artist  Carly Findlay OAM is an award-winning writer, speaker and appearance activist. Her first book, a memoir called Say Hello, was released in January 2019. Carly edited the anthology Growing Up Disabled in Australia with Black Inc Books. It’s in stores now. She writes on disability and appearance diversity issues for news outlets including CNN, Vogue, the ABC, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald and SBS. In 2020, Carly Findlay received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her work as a disability advocate and activist. Carly works part time as Melbourne Fringe’s Access and Inclusion Advisor. In her role at Melbourne Fringe, she works to educate artists, venues and the wider arts sector in creating accessible shows; and builds and maintains close relationships with Deaf and disabled artists. She has appeared on ABC TV’s You Can’t Ask That, The Drum and Cyberhate with Tara Moss, and has been a regular on various ABC radio programs including cohosting The Arts Show’s International Day of People with Disability episode in 2020. She has spoken at the Ubud Writers Festival, Melbourne Writers Festival, the University of Western England and Melbourne University – to name a few. She organised the history-making Access to Fashion – a Melbourne Fashion Week event featuring disabled models. She has a Masters of Communication and Bachelor of eCommerce. Carly identifies as a proud disabled woman – she lives with a rare, severe skin condition, ichthyosis. She organised Australia’s first Ichthyosis meet in 2015 – bringing together 75 people affected by the rare, severe skin condition Ichthyosis. 25 attendees had Ichthyosis. Friendships and support networks were formed. Joshua Pether Image of Joshua Pether. Alt text: A black and white image of a male standing and facing the camera. His whole body is in the frame. He wears a black tracksuit top and black pants. His hands are in the pockets of the tracksuit top. He is of olive complexion, has a shaved head and looks at the camera with a slight smile as if he knows something.   In many ways it feels like we’re looking at something very different, very specific to the region that we are in, looking at local artists which is really great – sometimes we look to the other side of the world for our artists and inspiration – this will bring the inspiration here rather than looking outwards. Joshua Pether, Performance artist, dancer and choreographer Alter State Foundation Artist  Joshua Pether is of Kalkadoon heritage but lives and works on Noongar country in Western Australia. He is an experimental performance artist, dancer and choreographer of movement, temporary ritual and imagined realties. His practice is influenced by his two cultural histories- indigeneity and disability and the hybridization of the two with particular interest in the aesthetics of the disabled body and also that of the colonized body. As an independent artist he has had work shown in Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and New York and has performed in festivals and events such as the Undercover Artist Festival, Yirramboi Festival, Next Wave, APAM, Short Cuts, MoveMe Festival, SuperCell Festival of Contemporary Dance In Situ and The First Nations Dialogues in New York. He is the creator of two solo works, ‘Monster’ and ‘Jupiter Orbiting’. He is also a former member of LINK Dance Company, Ochres and Touch Compass Dance Company based in Auckland, New Zealand. Rodney Bell Image of Rodney Bell. Alt text: Rodney holds up his two hands open to the sky. With his eyes shut he is thinking of the greater energies that have supported his life journey.   There are two meanings to explain disability in Te Reo Rangatira Maaori. Taangata Whaikaha – people that chase strength from a place of strength and Hau Tipua – Extraordinary Disabled People. The disability is not the focus, it's how we contribute. Rodney Bell, Performing artist, advocator and provocateur Alter State Foundation Artist  Rodney Bell is from Aotearoa and descends from Tainui Waka and of the Ngaati Maniapoto Iwi ( tribe). Performing artist, advocator, provocateur, Rodney enhances each given moment to contribute in a meaningful way to performance. Though Rodney had acquired his Disability 30 years ago, he has a strong desire to discover a greater sense of mystery by embracing uncertainty with the willingness to seek out new horizons. His talent and leadership as a disabled performing artist have won him The Creative New Zealand – Toi Iho P?manawa award (lived experience of disability and is making a national or international arts contribution 2020), The Grant Tilly Actor of the Year Award at the Wellington Theatre Awards 2018, Arts Access Artistic Achievement Award 2017 and the Attitude Artistic Achievement Award in 2016. Brand Artists Rodney Bell and Matthew Simpson Rodney Bell’s ‘Meremere’ by Movement of the Human and Matthew Simpson’s oil on canvas work ‘Inner Edge’ provided the inspiration for the visual identity and brand for Alter State. Rodney Bell – 'Meremere' Rodney Bell is one of Alter State’s Foundation Artists. Rodney is from Aotearoa and descends from Tainui Waka and of the Ngaati Maniapoto Iwi ( tribe). A performing artist, advocator and provocateur, Rodney enhances each given moment to contribute in a meaningful way to performance. Though Rodney had acquired his Disability 30 years ago, he has a strong desire to discover a greater sense of mystery by embracing uncertainty with the willingness to seek out new horizons. His talent and leadership as a disabled performing artist have won him The Creative New Zealand – Toi Iho P?manawa award (lived experience of disability and is making a national or international arts contribution 2020), The Grant Tilly Actor of the Year Award at the Wellington Theatre Awards 2018, Arts Access Artistic Achievement Award 2017 and the Attitude Artistic Achievement Award in 2016.   Image of Rodney Bell for 'Meremere' by Movement of the Human Photographer Tom Hoyle   Matthew Simpson – 'Inner Edge' Matthew Simpson is a visual artist with a hidden disability. Matthew has painted for many years since studying fine art at the Victorian College of the Arts in the 1980’s. Matthew’s work for the past few years has concentrated on the possibilities of form and pattern that emerge through a process of repeated addition of lines. The process involves both random mark making and considered addition of line to revealed structures that arise. Image of 'Inner Edge', oil on canvas by Matthew Simpson Photographer Mark Gambino     About Alter State A celebration of disability, creativity and culture. Alter State is a major arts and disability festival engaging artists and audiences from Australia and Aotearoa (New Zealand). Co-founded and presented by Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria, Alter State is: * A deep exploration of art from our region * A space for korero, yarning and storytelling shaped by disability * The presentation of work that audiences rarely experience   Alter State Timeline Alter State Digital Launch Alter State Festival 9 – 13 November 2021 A time to gather, connect and launch Alter State September 2022 A slow experience festival of contemporary art and ideas   Alter State was first imagined by independent artists who explored the possibilities for the festival to: * Honour Deaf and Disabled artists * Honour First Nations cultures * Challenge ideas about disability * Shape the future of art and performance   Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria have come together to fulfil this vision and tap into the potential Deaf and Disabled artists offer to our changing cultural landscape. How do I get involved or learn more about Alter State? The curatorial approach for the 2022 Festival is being developed and more information around future opportunities will be released later in 2021. If you would like to stay across any news or updates about Alter State register your interest below.   We are building on the cultural legacy that’s been laid down for us by so many Deaf and Disabled members of our community who have gone before us. Caroline Bowditch, CEO, Arts Access Victoria Partners Alter State is co-founded and presented by Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria. Alter State is possible due to our strategic partnership with the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) and project support from a range of funding bodies and Philanthropic supporters. Thank you to all of our partners. Foundation Partners Arts Centre Melbourne Arts Centre Melbourne logo Arts Centre Melbourne (ACM) are proud to partner with Arts Access Victoria (AAV) to present Alter State. We share a vision for cultural equity for Deaf and Disabled artists and bringing new aesthetics and stories to stages and audiences. Creative Victoria Creative Victoria logo Arts Access Victoria Arts Access Victoria logo Arts Access Victoria (AAV) is our state’s peak body for arts and disability. As a disability-led arts organization, AAV is at the forefront of innovative disability arts practice, access, and equity. AAV centres Deaf and Disability leadership in everything they do. Strategic Partner Vic Heath Vic Health logo The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) is a pioneer in health promotion – the process of enabling people to increase control over and improve their health. VicHealth have come on-board as a Strategic partner to support disability-curation, audience development, sector development & First Nations programming. Project Partners Australia Council for the Arts British Council Metro Tunnel Cassandra Gantner Foundations State Trustees Proudly supported by Anne and Mark Robertson OAM The Prescott Family Foundation The Marian and E.H Flack Trust Opening and Welcome to Country Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria present Opening and Welcome to Country Celebrate the official launch of Alter State 9 November 2021 | Online FREE – registration required Celebrate the launch of Alter State and the people, partners and community that got us here. The online event will introduce the vision for Alter State highlighting the importance of place and the deep connection between Australia and Aotearoa (New Zealand). The journey will start at Birrarung Marr, before crossing the waters of the Yarra River, to the rooftop of Hamer Hall for a Welcome to Country. * Alter State Foundation Artist's Carly Findlay OAM, Joshua Pether & Rodney Bell will reflect on their intent, vision and hopes for Alter State. * Touch Compass, Aotearoa’s leading disability led professional performance company will respond with a traditional ceremony. * Arts Centre Melbourne CEO Claire Spencer and Arts Access Victoria CEO Caroline Bowditch will reveal the deep partnership underpinning Alter State. This is a shared moment, where everyone is welcomed to gather, connect and celebrate with one another.  Notes This event includes New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpretation, alongside other services noted below. After the initial broadcast, this work will be available on demand from 9.30am, 10 November until 11.59pm, 13 November 2021 (AEDT). Once you click Register you will have up to 20mins to complete the online registration. This includes setting up an Arts Centre Melbourne account if you don't already have one. If you need support booking a ticket or have any questions email tickets@artscentremelbourne.com.au or phone 1300 182 183.   Accessibility * Closed captioned * Auslan interpreted * Audio description Related links * https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/festival-and-series/alter-state Ceremony date & time Tuesday 9 Nov 5:30 PM (AEDT) After the initial broadcast, this work will be available on demand from 9.30am, 10 November until 11.59pm, 13 November 2021 (AEDT). Running TimeApproximately 25 – 35 minutes Price FREE – registration required Patrick William Carter Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria present Blessing from Noongar BoodjarBy Patrick William Carter 9 November 2021 | Online FREE – registration required As the sun rises on Noongar Boodja you are invited to witness an unfolding of a ritual. "A blessing / prayer for the beginning as we gather near and far, a connection to country through the digital space and a moment of breath to centre our beings. Patrick Carter warmly invites you to experience his blessing / prayer for the festival as he prepares to take you on this journey of spiritual awakening and listening." – Joshua Pether, Curator and Foundation Artist About Patrick William Carter Patrick is a Noongar man with Down syndrome whose art is centred around his family and his experiences of life. His songs are made from many forms: dance, painting and film-making, as well as his tremolo-infused vocals. Patrick William Carter's digital works have been screened and exhibited in WA, SA, VIC and the ACT. They include No more cryin’ which has been exhibited as part of the group exhibitions Beyond the Western Edge; Regional Art Summit Australia: Arts & Edges, Kalgoorlie (2014); and HERE&NOW13, Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, University of Western Australia (2013). Carter’s digital work, Dance, was exhibited in Revealed, Fremantle Arts Centre (2016), and as a re-commission from ANAT for Adelaide’s Tarnanthi Festival’s New Light (2017). This edit was subsequently screened at Enlighten Festival in Canberra (2018). Carter began his collaboration with Sam Fox on Dance and in 2014 participated in the Australia Council funded projects, Room and Digital Dialogues (2015-16), creating over ten short digital works. In 2018 and 2019 Carter was a cast member and contributor on You Know We Belong Together, a Perth Festival, Black Swan State Theatre Company and DADAA co-production. Notes After the initial broadcast, this work will be available on demand from 9.30am, 10 November until 11.59pm, 13 November 2021 (AEDT). Once you click Register you will have up to 20mins to complete the online registration. This includes setting up an Arts Centre Melbourne account if you don't already have one. If you need support booking a ticket or have any questions email tickets@artscentremelbourne.com.au or phone 1300 182 183.   Accessibility * Closed captioned   * Auslan interpreted   * Audio description Related links Watch Patrick William Carter on Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/user112766373 Learn more about Alter State - https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/festival-and-series/alter-state The Museum of Us – Telling It Like It Is – Using Text for Change Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria present The Museum of Us: Telling It Like It Is – Using Text For ChangeCB Mako, Ferris Knight and Woz Artist Insight Workshop 10 November 2021 | Online FREE – registration required A Disability-led discussion on creating work for an accessible future. In November 2020 Arts Access Victoria commissioned 50 Deaf and Disabled artists to create digital works exploring the questions, what could an accessible future be for Victoria? And what sort of future do we want to emerge? Artists CB Mako, Ferris Knight and Woz join Caroline Bowditch in a panel discussion, sharing the choices they made for their Museum of Us commissions. Following the discussion, the artists will lead participants in break-out workshops considering what an accessible future is from participants’ perspectives. Here are some thoughts from the artists: "Include the Disabled (more so Disabled BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, People of Colour], QBIPOC) in the mainstream narrative." – CB Mako "I deserved to exist in this world. You deserve to exist in this world. Access isn’t a seat – it’s a seat and voice at the table. So let’s take the space we need to for that to happen." – Ferris Knight "Inclusion and accessible futures are based on the same thing: inclusion becoming a way of life. It’s the first thought, the last thought, and every thought in between. It is for everyone, and it is for everything." – Woz About the artists CB Mako CB Mako is a founding member of the Disabled QBIPOC Collective and is one of the contributors of the Growing Up Disabled in Australia anthology. Winner of the Grace Marion Wilson Emerging Writers Competition, shortlisted for the Overland Fair Australia Prize and longlisted for the inaugural Liminal Fiction Prize, cubbie is also a contributor to Liminal's Collisions: Fictions of the Future anthology. Ferris Knight Ferris Knight is a queer and disabled writer, producer and advocate from Melbourne, Australia. She mainly writes about lived experiences with mental and physical health conditions, as well as queer politics, poetry and fiction. She has also worked with organisations such as Arts Access Victoria, The Dax Centre and Women with Disabilities Victoria. Woz Woz is a visual artist. He paints many portraits, especially self-portraits, as he searches for his new identity post brain injury. Woz mainly works in oils, but he enjoys the twists and turns of learning and exploring different mediums. He gives his demons 3D forms, sculpting them into manageable, controllable visual manifestations. Delivering some startling abstract paintings which he terms his automatic paintings, Woz is able to provide images if not the words to his inner world. Woz started painting in 2017, five years post brain injury. He previously worked in disability equipment administration for 15 years. His current goals centre around increasing his network and advocating in a variety of media for a more inclusive and accessible society. With strong connections within Arts Access Victoria and Brain Injury Matters, Woz is on a path of his own choosing. Notes Age suitability: Recommended for ages 16 and older. This event has a limited capacity. If you can no longer attend, please let us know using the contact details below. This event will be Auslan interpreted and live captioned. Audio description will be integrated into the session and delivered by the workshop facilitators. Attendees interested to join CB Mako’s break-out workshop are encouraged to bring along any writing and drawing materials you're most comfortable with, whether regular pencils, coloured pencils, pens; and any piece of paper you prefer to write, draw, or even paint on. Attendees interested to join Ferris Knight’s break-out workshop are encouraged to bring along paper, pens of some description, and something ordinary that helps you access the world. Attendees interested to join Woz’s break-out workshop, are encouraged to bring along the following items: 1. A surface to write on (paper/screen) and means of writing onto the surface 2. Something to cut up the surface of words (paper/screen) – scissors are easiest 3. A surface to paint on, such as canvas, paper, or screen 4. Something to apply colour to this surface, such as brush, paint, pencils, markers, or fingers 5. A big smile and open heart A recording of the panel discussion will be available to view on demand from 2.30pm, 11 November until 11.59pm, 13 November 2021 (AEDT). All questions and comments made by attendees during the panel discussion will be captured as part of this recording. The break-out workshops will not be recorded. Once you click Register you will have up to 20mins to complete the online registration. This includes setting up an Arts Centre Melbourne account if you don't already have one. If you need support booking a ticket or have any questions email tickets@artscentremelbourne.com.au or phone 1300 182 183.   Accessibility * Auslan interpreted   * Audio description   * Closed captioned Related links * Explore Ferris Knight's work 'No one ever told me I was disabled' - * Learn more about CB Mako's artwork 'Inclusion' * Listen to Woz talk about 'What is an accessible future?' * Learn more about The Museum of Us * Learn more about Alter State Artists and Panel Facilitator Credits Artists CB Mako, Ferris Knight & Woz Panel Facilitator Caroline Bowditch The Museum of Us was funded by the Victorian Government for Victoria Together. City of Melbourne Hau Tipua o Aotearoa Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria present Hau Tipua o AotearoaRodney Bell Extraordinary Disabled People of Aotearoa 10 November 2021 | Online FREE – registration required Join Rodney Bell in this digital production celebrating the extraordinary disabled artists of Aotearoa and Te Paapaka-a-Maui. Cloaked with honouring the Tangata Whenua of both countries, this work presents a group of M?ori performers who each bring a strong cultural vitality and sensitivity to the screen. Joining from across Aotearoa, these artists have each created their own part of Hau Tipua o Aotearoa, acknowledging their personal Mauri, Mana, and ancestors past and present. A series of dance works created by globally renowned disabled and non-disabled choreographers prior to the pandemic, also feature. This digital work interweaves: * Waiata * Dance * Karanga * Aerial circus * Kapa haka * Whaai koorero, and * Music Hau Tipua o Aotearoa has been created with access at its core for both artists and audiences. Disability identity and pride, leadership, aesthetics of access, equity and crip time have been at the forefront of the creation process, honouring the Principles of Alter State. About Rodney Bell No Tainui tooku Waka – Tainui is the Waka I descend from No Ngaati Maniapoto tooku Iwi – Maniapoto is the Tribe I'm from No Motakiora tooku Maunga – Motakiora the Mountain I belong to No Mangaokewa tooku Awa – Mangaokewa the River I belong to Rodney has been dancing professionally since 1995, having started out as a founding member of Touch Compass. Proud to be a pioneer for inclusive dance, Rodney has performed both nationally and internationally – winning an Isadora Dance Award while dancing in the US with Axis Dance Company. Rodney was also the winner of the Attitude Artistic Achievement Award, in 2016, and the Arts Access Aotearoa Artistic Achievement Award in 2017, 2018 The Grant Tilly Actor of the Year and the Creative New Zealand, Ng? Taonga Toi a Te Waka Toi – Te Tohu Iho P?manawa award 2020. Increasingly, Rodney actively works not only as an artist but also as an advocator and provocateur, calling for stronger integration and providing voice for people with diverse requirements to have more choice and control over their lives especially Hau Tipua (Persons with a Disability and their Whaanau – Family). Rodney feels very strongly about making performance spaces as accessible as possible. This includes not only physical access but also supporting access for the hard of hearing and vision impaired. Rodney finds himself working across varied media, including film, documentaries, and in motivational presentations. With his strong focus on Universal Access, Rodney is also extensively involved in organisations that advocate and pursue wide access for people with and without a Disability. Notes The work will include English and Te Reo M?ori dialogue. Please note this event includes New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpretation, alongside other services noted below. After the initial broadcast, this work will be available to view on demand from 9.30am, 11 November until 11.59pm, 13 November 2021 (AEDT). Once you click Register you will have up to 20mins to complete the online registration. This includes setting up an Arts Centre Melbourne account if you don't already have one. If you need support booking a ticket or have any questions email tickets@artscentremelbourne.com.au or phone 1300 182 183.   Accessibility * Closed captioned   * Auslan interpreted   * Audio description Related links * Visit the Touch Compass website * Visit the Movement of the Human website * Learn more about Alter State Film & Event Credits Film Credits T?tahi Created by Marlene Ila Popovic, featuring Rodney Bell and Julie Van Renen Tango Body Created by Chelsea Eng, Rodney Bell and Philip Kan Gotanda Slippage Created by Suzanne Cowan Meremere Created by Malia Johnston and Rodney Bell HuriHuri Created by Malia Johnston and Rodney Bell Mr and Mrs Jones Created by Lusi Faiva Event Credits Rodney Bell Creator and performer Owen McCarthy Editor and videographer Eden Mulholland Sound design T?i Maitira Ranapiri-Ransfield Performer Harper Heta Performer Pati Umaga Performer (Footage provided by SunPix) Lusi Faiva Performer Te Pou o Mangataawhiri Kapa Haka Performance Group T?ranga Ake Kapa Haka Performance Group Izzy Robinson (TC) and Malia Johnston (MOTH) Producers Produced by Touch Compass in collaboration with Movement of the Human Parked - Virtual Creative Exchange Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria present Parked - Virtual Creative Exchange Polyglot Theatre & Oily Cart 10 November 2021 | Online FREE – registration required By staying in one place we can see the world turn. Parked (working title) is a long form collaboration between Polyglot Theatre (AUS) and Oily Cart (UK) that is taking place over time and distance, working in parallel in two countries. The central point of view for the creation of the work is of disabled children who experience the most barriers to access. Virtual Creative Exchange Join a live virtual conversation between principle creatives from Polyglot Theatre and Oily Cart to learn more about Parked, the process involved in its creative development and guiding principles of the project. Attendees will receive prompts for a sensory, creative activity, and can participate in an open Q&A. Panellists: Sue Giles AM, Ellie Griffiths, Greta McMillan, Dr. Tanja Beer About Polyglot Theatre Polyglot Theatre is a world-renowned contemporary theatre company based in Melbourne making exceptional arts experiences for children and families. Our unique brand of participatory theatre encompasses a wide variety of forms, and is shared with audiences everywhere, from the world’s most prestigious theatres to the football grounds of regional Australia. Access is central Polyglot's work, driven by the right of all children to experience growth and resilience through creative play. Visit Polyglot Theatre's website About Oily Cart For 40 years, Oily Cart has been creating accessible, sensory theatre for and with disabled and non-disabled children and their families. An Oily Cart show can take place anywhere – bouncing on a trampoline, floating in a hydrotherapy pool, or even flying up in the air! Using touch, sounds, smells, music and movement, our interactive, responsive shows prioritise the enjoyment of children for whom standardised theatre formats create barriers to access. Visit Oily Cart's website Notes This in-conversation event is Auslan interpreted and live captioned. During the session, some short video segments and Powerpoint slides will be shared. Audio description will be integrated, with panelists describing this visual content as it is shared onscreen. This event will be recorded for archival purposes. All questions and comments made by attendees during the event will be captured as part of this recording. Once you click Register you will have up to 20mins to complete the online registration. This includes setting up an Arts Centre Melbourne account if you don't already have one. If you need support booking a ticket or have any questions email tickets@artscentremelbourne.com.au or phone 1300 182 183.   Accessibility * Closed captioned   * Auslan interpreted   * Audio description Related links * Learn more about Alter State Credits & Original creative development teams Credits This project involves young people from Australia and the UK at the heart of the process. Co-directors Sue Giles AM and Ellie Griffiths Scenographic design Dr. Tanja Beer Sound design Nwando Ebizie Associate designer Jennifer Tran Collaborating artists Greta McMillan, Afsaneh Torabi, Sylvie Meltzer, David Pidd Original creative development teams Australia Leisa Prowd, David Pidd, Ashlee Hughes UK Greta McMillan, Nwando Ebizie, Andrea Carr Commissioned by Arts Centre Melbourne for a major arts and disability festival Alter State, Parked is supported by the UK/Australia Season Patrons Board, the British Council and the Australian Government as part of the UK/Australia Season. It has also received additional support from the Cassandra Gantner Foundation, State Trustees Australia Foundation, the Prescott Family Foundation, ArtPlay and Arts Council England. Culture and Access Shaping Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Australia present Culture and AccessShaping the arts world we want to live in An exclusive online forum for Deaf and Disabled people 11 November, 2021 | Online FREE - registrations essential This is your opportunity to have your voice heard on disability and access in the arts. Arts Access Australia hosts an online Zoom panel discussion on creating national access standards in the arts. This event is an exclusive forum for Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent people only. The forum will be exploring: * Reasonable expectations for community standards * The best ways to embed awareness, education and accountability * Effective ways for improvements to be integrated into existing mechanisms The outcomes will form the foundation for an Australian Code of Conduct for Access in the Arts. Facilitated by Matthew Hall and Sarah Houbolt, Arts Access Australia. About Arts Access Australia Arts Access Australia is the disability-led, national peak body for arts and disability. AAA increase equal access and opportunities for: * Artists * Arts workers * Participants * Audiences with disability in Australian arts and culture We do this through: * Systemic advocacy * Sector development and representation * Providing information. Created by a group of arts and disability organisations, we are a member-based organisation. The majority of our national representation include individual artists with disability who are forging a career in the arts or making art through creative community connections. We value all types of participation in the arts. We promote the value of the arts for people with disability for: * Employment * Enterprise * Social inclusion * Cultural identity * Health and wellbeing outcomes We are also committed to breaking down the barriers to participation in the arts. Notes This event is facilitated by Arts Access Australia (AAA). For event enquiries contact AAA National Project Manager Sarah Houbolt at projects@artsaccessaustralia.org or phone 0426 012 776. This is an online talk-based event, visual appearance aspects will be described. This event will be recorded for archival purposes. All questions and comments made during the event by attendees will be captured as part of this recording. Accessibility * Auslan interpreted   * Audio description   * Closed captioned Related links * Visit the Arts Access Australia website * Learn more about Alter State This event has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body. Room to Rest Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria present Room to Rest Daisy Sanders Digital performance & invitation 11 November 2021 | Online FREE – registration required Linger in a ritual of resting rhythms. Room to Rest is a warm-hearted online experience including dance, poetry, sound and video. Let’s ‘gather’ even though we are apart. Let’s linger longer in resting rhythms. This quiet festival opening is an invitation to gather from far apart and feel time expand. It is a unique space to notice and accept the changing patterns of energy in ourselves, others and our environment. How do we experience rest? What can we give ourselves and each other permission for? Playful and gently participatory, Room to Rest is a warm-hearted online experience including dance, poetry, sound and video. You are invited to find a quiet place and attend online for 30 minutes or more. The event is open for 4 hours and it is good to stay a while or visit more than once. Come for long enough to rest with us. Experience the screen and sound as a companion in a room where you can rest. You may watch, listen, move around and be comfortable in your own space. There will be opportunity to write small thoughts and contribute to the poetry of the work. Together we will set the tone for the Alter State festival. Find a room to rest in. Make some room to rest. Meet and accept mess. Waltz with the way things are. Rest is… Permission to…   About Daisy Sanders Daisy Sanders is a Perth-based artist working, resting, playing and dancing in various creative contexts. Recently she worked on Mám by Teac Damsa (Ireland), GuiShu/BELONG by Steamworks Arts (WA) and HOME by Geoff Sobelle (USA). Daisy is a WAAPA 2013 Bachelor of Arts Dance graduate with 2017 First Class Honours. Extended illness radically transformed Daisy’s artistic philosophy and methodology to have an enduring focus on energy, rest and sustainability in bodily and social ecologies. Her original dance / multidisciplinary performance works include Status Room (2014), PACES (2015) and A Resting Mess (2017-20). Daisy is a proud company member of WA’s Sensorium Theatre bringing sensory theatre to children with diverse needs and abilities. She is a warm hearted and dedicated arts facilitator and community builder, including co-founding FLOCK and advocacy work with WA Chamber of the Arts, Performing Lines WA and The Australian Rural Leadership Foundation. Daisy was a 2018-19 Australia Council Career Development Artist, a 2017 Young People and the Arts Fellow and the 2009 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year. Notes This is a durational work that includes a gentle invitation for audiences to participate. Audience can stay as long as desired during the event and return visits are recommended. Recommended attendance is 35 minutes minimum. Once you click Register you will have up to 20mins to complete the online registration. This includes setting up an Arts Centre Melbourne account if you don't already have one. If you need support booking a ticket or have any questions email tickets@artscentremelbourne.com.au or phone 1300 182 183.   Accessibility * Closed captioned   * Auslan interpreted   * Audio description Related links * Learn more about Alter State Creatives Credits Created, performed and hosted by Daisy Sanders Collaborative artists Joshua Pether and Janine Oxenham Sound artists Felicity Groom and Josten Myburgh Video artist Georgi Ivers Auslan Interpreter Hannah Yaschenko Sincere thanks to DADAA, Katherine Wilkinson, Chris Williams, Loren Kronemyer and the artists of the 2019-21 Adaptation and Survivalism Lab for their valuable contributions to this project. The Museum of Us: Deafuturama Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria present The Museum of Us: Deafuturama Chelle Destefano, Elvin Lam & Ramas McRae Artist Insight Workshop 12 November 2021 | Online FREE – registration required A panel discussion with Deaf artists on creating work for an accessible future. In November 2020 Arts Access Victoria commissioned 50 Deaf and Disabled artists to create digital works exploring the questions, what could an accessible future be for Victoria? And what sort of future do we want to emerge? Caroline Bowditch will be joined by Deaf artists Chelle Destefano, Elvin Lam and Ramas McRae to discuss the work they made for the Museum of Us. We’ll discuss where the work came from, why it felt important to make now, and what the ideal cultural landscape is from a Deaf perspective. This panel will primarily be in Auslan with English interpretation provided.   About the artists Chelle Destefano Chelle Destefano is a Deaf multi-disciplinary artist working with performance art, sculpture, textile, poetry and Auslan poetry, drawing and painting, often combining some or many of these disciplines into one work. Chelle was selected as a finalist for many art awards including the Banyule Art Award for works on paper, Lyn McCrea Drawing Prize, Noel Counihan Art Award, Incinerator Art Award, Fishers Ghost Award, Lake Art Award (which she became the winner of in December 2020), and the Footscray Art Award in 2021. Elvin Lam Originally from Hong Kong, Elvin Lam is a Deaf freelance dancer, actor and visual artist. Although born profoundly Deaf, Elvin was determined to be a dancer and artist despite many people telling him it was not possible. His love of the arts began at an early age through the reading of Japanese anime cartoons, inspiring him to create and draw his own cartoon series and won many competitions at school. He majored in Art at school and went on to study Costume & Set Design at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing in Hong Kong. In 2000 he moved to Australia to study Building Design. While living in Melbourne, Elvin joined the group Deaf Can Dance (now The Delta Project) performing in works such as Under My Skin in 2016. He continues to practice his drawing, and examples of his work can be found on social media platforms throughout Melbourne. He has an interest in animation and film and is hoping to work in this genre in the near future. As a Deaf artist, Elvin is passionate about supporting and advocating for the rights of Deaf culture and many of his works explore how world and environmental issues appear from the Deaf perspective. Ramas McRae Ramas McRae is a registered International Sign Interpreter - WASLI and NAATI as accredited Deaf Interpreter. He is fluent in several sign languages, including Lithuanian Sign Language, British Sign Language (BSL) and Auslan. Ramas is passionate about Deaf Arts and has, throughout his career, been actively involved in filmmaking, theatre and linguistics. He is a filmmaker and has produced a series of short films, I See, You Say (2018) – screened at Clin De Oeil, French Deaf Arts Festival 2019; Invisible Skin – Melbourne Fringe Festival ( 2019); and Buried Treasure, Two Degrees ( 2020). He has worked with Irene Holub on Invisible Skin and will be working on Chaos I for White Night. Ramas is a member of Turquoise Australia, which promotes and support the production of Australian Deaf Short Films. He was also a member of Auslan Activate Artists under Arts Access Victoria. Ramas provided Auslan and culture consultancy for theatre and movie performances and recently for Dry Fire, which he co-directed the film with Dan Farmer. He is one of the founding directors of the FLOW Festival, and currently, he is the director of the FLOW Festival 2021 – Deaf and Hard of Hearing Arts, which will be held as a digital festival from 18 to 23 September 2021. Notes Age suitability: Recommended for ages 16 and older. This event will occur in Auslan, with English translation. This event will be recorded for archival purposes. The recording may be shared in future on presenter channels. All questions and comments made by attendees during the event will be captured as part of this recording. Once you click Register you will have up to 20mins to complete the online registration. This includes setting up an Arts Centre Melbourne account if you don't already have one. If you need support booking a ticket or have any questions email tickets@artscentremelbourne.com.au or phone 1300 182 183.   Accessibility * Auslan interpreted   * Audio description   * Closed captioned Related links * Watch Chelle Destefano's 'My Language, My Right' * Watch Elvin Lam's 'Deafuturama' * Watch Ramas McRae's 'The word 'disability' is no longer is used' * Learn more about The Museum of Us * Learn more about Alter State Creatives Credits Artists Chelle Destefano, Elvin Lam & Ramas McRae Panel Facilitator Caroline Bowditch The Museum of Us was funded by the Victorian Government for Victoria Together. The Museum of Us: Embodiment Workshop Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria present The Museum of Us: Embodiment Workshop Raina Peterson Artist Insight Workshop 13 November 2021 | Online FREE – registration required An artist led workshop inspired by imagining an accessible future. Drawing on their practice as a yoga and dance teacher, Raina will lead participants on a journey back to our bodies, the ground and the world around us after months of feeling untethered by digital overload and the stress of a global pandemic. Participants will learn playful techniques to release tension and express emotion, incorporating breath, mindfulness and movement. This workshop is inspired by the intention behind Raina’s ‘Stim Dance’ in the Museum of Us, imagining an accessible future where stimming and other forms of self-regulating, calming and expressive movements are an accepted and celebrated part of Victoria’s social landscape. About Raina Peterson Raina Peterson is a dancer-choreographer of Fiji-Indian and English heritage who was born and raised on the lands of the Gunaikurnai people. Raina creates moving experimental dance works that respect and challenge both traditional and contemporary dance. With a substantial body of new work including five company productions, Raina‘s works draw on their training in mohiniyattam, classical Indian dance of Kerala, and are critically-acclaimed for their subversive and visceral approach to exploring the diasporic experience, cultural identity, colonialism, gender diversity and sexuality. Their full-length works with dance partner Govind Pillai include In Plain Sanskrit (2015, FCAC), Bent Bollywood (2018, Midsumma Festival, shortlisted for a National Dance Award), Third Nature (2019, Arts House), K?la (2019, Due West Festival) and award-winning dance film Drishti (2020, winner of two Fringe Awards). They are currently working on a solo work, Maya (in development, Arts House, 2022). They are board member of Peril Magazine, co-director of Karma Dance and are a yoga and dance teacher. Raina’s neurodivergence informs their arts practice. Notes Age suitability: Recommended for ages 16 and older. Participants are encouraged to wear comfy, layered clothes they can move around in, and to remove layers as they warm up. Participants are also encouraged to have a bit of space cleared for movement, including lying down. This event will be Auslan interpreted and live captioned. Audio description will be integrated into the session, with Raina describing physical actions as they lead attendees through workshop exercises. This event will be recorded for archival purposes. All questions and comments made by attendees during the event will be captured as part of this recording. Once you click Register you will have up to 20mins to complete the online registration. This includes setting up an Arts Centre Melbourne account if you don't already have one. If you need support booking a ticket or have any questions email tickets@artscentremelbourne.com.au or phone 1300 182 183.   Accessibility * Auslan interpreted   * Audio description   * Closed captioned Related links * Watch Raina Peterson's 'Stim dance' * Learn more about The Museum of Us * Learn more about Alter State The Museum of Us was funded by the Victorian Government for Victoria Together. The Museum of Us Arts Access Victoria presents The Museum of Us Amplifying the voices and stories of Victoria’s creative community Ongoing | Online FREE Explore the future of accessibility through the lens of some of the State’s leading Deaf and Disabled artists. The Museum of Us opens up the boundaries of creative excellence for artists and audiences alike, unearthing new and different stories and amplifying voices vital to fully understanding what it is to live and be creative in this state. Arts Access Victoria commissioned 50 Deaf and Disabled artists to create work exploring the questions: * What could an accessible future be for Victoria? * And what sort of future do we want to emerge? Participating artists Arts Access Victoria, Adam Knapper, Alana O'Neill, Aleshanee Faery, Alistair Baldwin, Ana Maria Gomides, Bek Saltmarsh, Ben Gritt, Brendan Harwood, Bridgette Griffiths-Mark, CB Mako, Chelle Destefano, Doron Banks, Elvin Lam, Emma Holt, Ferris Knight, Fiona Taylor, Gemma Mahadeo, Geryon, Greg Muir, Güler Altunbas, Jenna Bailey, Jennifer Fennell, Jessica Walton, Jonathan Thompson, Kochava Lilit, Kristin Gillespie, Lara MacFarlane, Laurence Flegg, Marc Sorbello, Marnie Woods, Melissa Caggegi, Melody Shotade, Naomi Chainey, Natalia Lopez, Nayook, Nicole Tsourlenes, Noon Beecher Kelk, Olivia Muscat, Patrick Francis, Raina Peterson, Ramas McRae, Raphael 'The Beurologist' Kaleb, Roslyn Simmons, Ryan Allman, Tamar Dolev, Teagan Connor, Veronica Heritage-Gorrie, Warren Loorham. I think I want to be in a world that wants us. I think we want to be making a world that wants us. Nayook Related links * Learn more about The Museum of Us * Learn more about Alter State The Museum of Us was funded by the Victorian Government for Victoria Together.