Presented by Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria as part of Alter State 2026.
Image by Mark Gambino
Alter State 2026 is a space to think, share and connect. Over two afternoons, Deaf and Disabled artists share their ideas on what it means to build a future together. Recognise International Day of People with Disability at Alter State Symposium: Thursday.
This Symposium program grew from community through an Expression of Interest process that asked what mattered most.
You are welcome to join us in person or online
Arrival and Welcome
Our MC Erica McCalman (Ballardong Noongar) looks back on Alter State Symposium: Wednesday and opens the afternoon ahead.
Performance by Eliza Hull OAM
Eliza Hull OAM will give a short performance, filling the Symposium with song.
Artist panel: ‘Art and Social Class: Questioning Elitism’
This panel brings together Deaf & Disabled artists to ask: How does social class shape our lives and our art? When is the time to talk about disability, race, class, and wealth in a way that is honest & upfront? Who gets to engage with art and make art? What does “success” look like? What is our definition of art, and do we want to be “included” in mainstream art institutions?
Co-curated by Jax Brown OAM and Chris Ferric, with Dominic Golding, Riana Head-Toussaint, Salomon Gerber, and TextaQueen.
Artist Panel: ‘Creative Regeneration: Scaling, Sustaining, and Shifting Practice’
Conversations around what professional creative practice looks like for Deaf and Disabled artists and arts workers across artforms and levels of experience, and the self-determined and innovative pathways Deaf and Disabled people have developed to inspire change.
With Host Belinda Locke, and panellists Oliver Ayers, Eliza Hull OAM, Isabel Sheppard, and Beau Windon.
Roundtable Conversations
Participate in smaller group discussions with artists and cultural leaders. Pick a table, join the conversation.
Closing Reflections with Thinker in Residence
Carly Findlay OAM closes the Symposium with thoughts on ‘Regeneration: Building Deaf and Disabled futures’ after two days of ideas and connection.
For detailed access information and content advisory please visit the Arts Centre Melbourne website.
You can find more information on accessibility for Alter State events at Arts Centre Melbourne in our Access Guide.
Download the Access Guide here.
Visual Stories are designed to help prepare you for your visit. They include venue information and what will happen during an event.
Download the Visual Story here.
To continue on into the evening on Thursday, you’re invited to join The Other Film Festival: On the Big Screen at Federation Square for a series of films celebrating International Day of Persons with Disability.
Join us after the Welcome to Country for the first day of our Symposium.
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.
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.
Celebrate with us as Alter State comes to a close. Traverse two parallel universes in a captivating summer evening of creativity and connection.
More Alter State Events on the Arts Centre Melbourne website.
Thank you to our Partners and Supporters.
Alter State has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body. With additional thanks to Office for the Arts and Screen Australia.
Arts Centre Melbourne’s Alter State program is proudly supported by Mark Robertson OAM and Anne Robertson with the Grangers Foundation.
Wheelchair Access
Accessible Toilet
Auslan
Opened Captioning (all audience can view)
Audio Description
Quiet Space
Companion Card Affiliate
Registered Assistance & Companion Animals welcome
