"It is so hot right now and this is what we are showcasing, showing up as our authentic and imperfect selves and showing others how to do the same," says disabled artist Jodeey OAM.
OAM is the creative lead for Australia's Alter State 2024, a 12-day arts festival for the deaf and disabled that starts Oct.
2 in Melbourne and runs through Oct.
13 in New Zealand.
The idea is to "alter the current state of the arts and culture we are producing and consuming," OAM says in a press release.
"For too long we have seen on our stages, books and screens, stories created and facilitated by people who have no direct lived experience or connection with Deaf and Disabled people," and Alter State is "leading the way by investing directly into our own talent, creating employment and our own market," OAM says.
The festival will feature more than 100 deaf and disabled artists performing and talking in person and online at 10 different venues across Australia and New Zealand.
"We can't wait to spend a vital two weeks with Deaf and Disabled artists and audiences," the artistic director says.
"We can't wait to spend a vital two weeks with Deaf and Disabled communities who are now and for healing to honor connection to Country
A customized collection of grant news from foundations and the federal government from around the Web.
A Gilesgate-based shop and community facility, Hexham’s Core Music, launches a separate workshop where up to six people will be trained how to repair guitars and make ukuleles. The European Social Fund grant supported the project and has secured funds through the County Durham Communication Foundation to equip the workshop in Burn Lane.