Alter State: First Nations Deaf and Disabled Yarning Circle

First Nations Deaf and Disabled Yarning Circle: Principles and Foundations

Painting: Inclusion by Paul Constable-Calcott

The First Nations Deaf and Disabled Yarning Circle: Principles and Foundations is a First Nations-led gathering that will support Deaf and Disabled mob to shape a shared set of community-determined principles, foundations, and ways of working ahead of Alter State 2026. Building on the 2024 Yarning Circle, this next phase moves from connection-building into formalisation, creating space for reflection, cultural protocol, access, rest, relational care, and collective decision-making by and for First Nations Deaf and Disabled people.

About the gathering: The Yarning Circle will be developed through a residency at Arts Access Victoria prior to Alter State 2026. The process will be led by Disabled Elders, alongside delegates from the 2024 Yarning Circle. We welcome other First Nations Deaf and Disabled mob to attend as well. Attendance numbers will be subject to venue capacity.

Event focus

• Developing First Nations-led Principles and Foundations for Deaf and Disabled community practice
• Honouring cultural protocol, yarning methodologies, access, rest, and relational care
• Formalising community-determined values that reflect Deafness, disability, and Indigeneity
• Creating pathways for broader sector understanding, accountability, and engagement

Please note that Day 1 (Monday 30 November) is for First Nations mob only.

Day 2 (Tuesday 1 December) is open to Deaf and Disabled allies.

Both days run from 10 am – 5 pm at Arts Access Victoria’s offices in South Melbourne. There will be a hybrid option (in-person and online) for the afternoon sessions. Zoom link will be emailed upon registration.

Light lunch provided.

Agenda

• Soft launch: 10 – 11 am
• Yarning Circle: 11 am – 1 pm
• Lunch: 1 – 2 pm
• Yarning Circle: 2 – 5 pm

For more Alter State

Alter State Symposium: Wednesday | Wednesday 2 December, 2.30 – 5 pm

Join us after the Welcome to Country for the first day of our Symposium.

Alter State: The Collections Project Launch | Wednesday 2 December, 5.30 – 6 pm

Directly following the end of Symposium on Wednesday we will be launching The Collections Project, Artist in Residence exhibition in the Level 8 Foyers. Please join us for artist talks to celebrate and launch the exhibition.

Alter State Opening Party | Wednesday 2 December, 7 – 10 pm

Continue on into the evening by joining us for the Alter State Opening Night Party. Celebrate the opening of Alter State 2026 with a night of subversive humour, lush sounds and fierce moves. Bookings required.

Alter State Symposium: Thursday | Thursday 3 December, 1 – 5.30 pm

The Alter State Symposium continues on Thursday. Learn more and book tickets on the Alter State Symposium: Thursday event page.

More Alter State Events on the Arts Centre Melbourne website.

About Alter State

Thank you to our Partners and Supporters.

Alter State has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, Office for the Arts and Screen Australia.