Alter State is Australia's disability led arts initiative celebrating deaf and disabled artists creativity and culture. It's happening over 12 days, starting with today up until the 13th of October, and to have a chat with me about Alter State. It's my great pleasure to welcome access Consultant Sara Hobolt and CEO of Vita Veritas. Nilgun Guven. Sara Nilgun. Welcome to the show. Thanks so much for your time.

Alter State is Australia's disability led arts initiative celebrating deaf and disabled artists creativity and culture. It's happening over 12 days, starting with today up until the 13th of October, and to have a chat with me about Alter State. It's my great pleasure to welcome access Consultant Sara Hobolt and CEO of Vita Veritas. Nilgun Guven. Sara Nilgun. Welcome to the show. Thanks so much for your time.

Thanks for having us.

Thanks for having us.

Sara, I'll start with you. Give us a bit of an intro to yourself.

Sara, I'll start with you. Give us a bit of an intro to yourself.

Yeah, sure. My name is Sara Hobolt and I am the access consultant for Altered State, which is amazing programming that's in partnership with Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria. My background is as a performer, as an access consultant and as an arts manager across Australia and internationally, and nilgun.

Yeah, sure. My name is Sara Hobolt and I am the access consultant for Altered State, which is amazing programming that's in partnership with Arts Centre Melbourne and Arts Access Victoria. My background is as a performer, as an access consultant and as an arts manager across Australia and internationally, and nilgun.

A few of our listeners might have already heard your voice before, but for the benefit of people who may not have. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A few of our listeners might have already heard your voice before, but for the benefit of people who may not have. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Sure, I'm Nilgun and I'm the Artistic director CEO of Vita Veritas, otherwise known as VRV, a not for profit organization that does many things but especially provides access, consultancy and services to the performing and visual arts industries in Victoria. And we're a major sort of access provider for various events and festivals that happen across the year and for Altar'd state 2024.

Sure, I'm Nilgun and I'm the Artistic director CEO of Vita Veritas, otherwise known as VRV, a not for profit organization that does many things but especially provides access, consultancy and services to the performing and visual arts industries in Victoria. And we're a major sort of access provider for various events and festivals that happen across the year and for Altar'd state 2024.

Now, Sarah, I'll come back to you. Let's have a chat about Altar'd state in particular, what is Alter state and what can people expect?

Now, Sarah, I'll come back to you. Let's have a chat about Altar'd state in particular, what is Alter state and what can people expect?

Alter state is an incredible set of programming across eight venues in Melbourne. It really places the immense value of deaf and disabled artists at the centre of the programming, which means that there's over 100 artists who are deaf and disabled in the program showcasing their work, giving us really amazing performance work, dance work, performance art, film, visual arts, exhibitions, workshops. It's super exciting. It's from the 2nd to the 13th of October and there's quite a few things on offer.

Alter state is an incredible set of programming across eight venues in Melbourne. It really places the immense value of deaf and disabled artists at the centre of the programming, which means that there's over 100 artists who are deaf and disabled in the program showcasing their work, giving us really amazing performance work, dance work, performance art, film, visual arts, exhibitions, workshops. It's super exciting. It's from the 2nd to the 13th of October and there's quite a few things on offer.

Nilgun did you have anything to add there?

Nilgun did you have anything to add there?

I should add that the type of access that we provide and will be providing across the festival coming up is centred around audio description services and tactile tours. So we'll be audio describing a number of performances, symposiums, different events that are taking place.

I should add that the type of access that we provide and will be providing across the festival coming up is centred around audio description services and tactile tours. So we'll be audio describing a number of performances, symposiums, different events that are taking place.

And the cool thing about that is that the team at Altar'd State have committed to a lot of events being audio described, so there's so much to choose from. So for example, we have Private View, which is a theater dance work by Restless Theater, and they are on from the 2nd to the 6th of October. And there's audio description for every session, which is super exciting. We don't see that very often. So I'm very excited.

And the cool thing about that is that the team at Altar'd State have committed to a lot of events being audio described, so there's so much to choose from. So for example, we have Private View, which is a theater dance work by Restless Theater, and they are on from the 2nd to the 6th of October. And there's audio description for every session, which is super exciting. We don't see that very often. So I'm very excited.

Yeah, that's super exciting. So in terms of audio description and those tactile tours, that's some fantastic accessibility features there. But Sarah, what other accessibility features can people look forward to if they do head along to alter state? Sure.

Yeah, that's super exciting. So in terms of audio description and those tactile tours, that's some fantastic accessibility features there. But Sarah, what other accessibility features can people look forward to if they do head along to alter state? Sure.

We place access at the core of everything we do, which means that we consider it at every level. So for example, audience can, when they buy a ticket, they can indicate whether they need physical access or Auslan interpreting or audio description. Or they can also tell us if there are any other access requirements that they have that they would like us to consider. We put on access services with events as well, but we are also here to create some bespoke and really welcoming experiences. So we have Auslan interpreted events, we have audio described events. We also have a quiet room at all. You know, almost all of our venues because we have eight venues across the city. And so we also have services like if you go to an event at Arts Centre Melbourne, you're able to ring up the welcome desk ahead of time and welcome. Staff can meet you at the taxi or the Uber or guide you around the venue. For example, there in Arts Centre Melbourne, there's an audio button actually in the lift. There are places for assistance animals to go to the toilet. There's a lot of bespoke human centred help that's available. People are wearing bright red Altar'd state shirts when you arrive at the Arts Centre Melbourne venue, and we also work with our partner venues to also increase their awareness and provision of access to. So a lot of events also have visual stories. Some people call them social scripts or social stories, but a guide before you arrive to understand what to expect from the experience you've mentioned.

We place access at the core of everything we do, which means that we consider it at every level. So for example, audience can, when they buy a ticket, they can indicate whether they need physical access or Auslan interpreting or audio description. Or they can also tell us if there are any other access requirements that they have that they would like us to consider. We put on access services with events as well, but we are also here to create some bespoke and really welcoming experiences. So we have Auslan interpreted events, we have audio described events. We also have a quiet room at all. You know, almost all of our venues because we have eight venues across the city. And so we also have services like if you go to an event at Arts Centre Melbourne, you're able to ring up the welcome desk ahead of time and welcome. Staff can meet you at the taxi or the Uber or guide you around the venue. For example, there in Arts Centre Melbourne, there's an audio button actually in the lift. There are places for assistance animals to go to the toilet. There's a lot of bespoke human centred help that's available. People are wearing bright red Altar'd state shirts when you arrive at the Arts Centre Melbourne venue, and we also work with our partner venues to also increase their awareness and provision of access to. So a lot of events also have visual stories. Some people call them social scripts or social stories, but a guide before you arrive to understand what to expect from the experience you've mentioned.

Arts Centre Melbourne there, but I'm keen to hear about a few of the other venues and the accessibility with those. I know there've been a few performers in the past that I've spoken to who have expressed a desire to really push for more accessible venues, so could you tell us a bit about some of those other seven venues? You don't have to go into huge detail about all seven, but give us a bit of a highlight package of the main sort of places that people can look forward to heading along to.

Arts Centre Melbourne there, but I'm keen to hear about a few of the other venues and the accessibility with those. I know there've been a few performers in the past that I've spoken to who have expressed a desire to really push for more accessible venues, so could you tell us a bit about some of those other seven venues? You don't have to go into huge detail about all seven, but give us a bit of a highlight package of the main sort of places that people can look forward to heading along to.

Absolutely. So our venues are, we've mentioned Arts Centre Melbourne, but there's also Arts House in North Melbourne, the Footscray Community Arts Centre, the Melbourne Recital Centre, the Victorian College of the Arts, the Monash University Performing Arts and the National Gallery of Victoria and also the Fitzroy North Library. We've been in discussion with a lot of these venues over the course of the year in terms of talking about how to increase access and but more importantly, talking about how to actually talk about the access that already exists. So one of the things that I'm finding in this role is that there's a really great intentions, and there's also access elements that people just don't know already exist. So I know it would it would take a long time to go through all of these venues. So I guess my main tip is to call up or contact each venue and have a real conversation with them if you're interested to going to any of the events. For example, at Arts House, they have a dedicated box office and welcome team. There is physical access. There will be Auslan interpreter and audio described events there. It's actually where the closing night party will be, which will be really, really fun. So that one's called disabled and sexy. So we're definitely here to have a good time at Old Estate.

Absolutely. So our venues are, we've mentioned Arts Centre Melbourne, but there's also Arts House in North Melbourne, the Footscray Community Arts Centre, the Melbourne Recital Centre, the Victorian College of the Arts, the Monash University Performing Arts and the National Gallery of Victoria and also the Fitzroy North Library. We've been in discussion with a lot of these venues over the course of the year in terms of talking about how to increase access and but more importantly, talking about how to actually talk about the access that already exists. So one of the things that I'm finding in this role is that there's a really great intentions, and there's also access elements that people just don't know already exist. So I know it would it would take a long time to go through all of these venues. So I guess my main tip is to call up or contact each venue and have a real conversation with them if you're interested to going to any of the events. For example, at Arts House, they have a dedicated box office and welcome team. There is physical access. There will be Auslan interpreter and audio described events there. It's actually where the closing night party will be, which will be really, really fun. So that one's called disabled and sexy. So we're definitely here to have a good time at Old Estate.

Yeah, it sounds like it. But yeah, those are some really important conversations, obviously, that people are having around Melbourne. And, you know, I have, as I mentioned, you know, spoken to a few people who have talked about how they've been barred from accessing certain venues because there's been steps or the stages too high up, and it causes issues with people who have coordination and mobility disabilities and things like that. So it's really important to hear that access is such a central aspect of alter State.

Yeah, it sounds like it. But yeah, those are some really important conversations, obviously, that people are having around Melbourne. And, you know, I have, as I mentioned, you know, spoken to a few people who have talked about how they've been barred from accessing certain venues because there's been steps or the stages too high up, and it causes issues with people who have coordination and mobility disabilities and things like that. So it's really important to hear that access is such a central aspect of alter State.

It is really important. And we also we definitely working with artists with disability, like we definitely have ramps going up to the stages, for example. So you know, as I said before, access is at all levels. And that includes having staff like I, you know, I am a person with low vision. There are many people within the programming staff across the venues that do identify with disability. So with that lived experience in the mix, we can place access more at the core and the centre of what we do because we have no choice not to. Essentially.

It is really important. And we also we definitely working with artists with disability, like we definitely have ramps going up to the stages, for example. So you know, as I said before, access is at all levels. And that includes having staff like I, you know, I am a person with low vision. There are many people within the programming staff across the venues that do identify with disability. So with that lived experience in the mix, we can place access more at the core and the centre of what we do because we have no choice not to. Essentially.

Now, Nilgun, I think, um, this is a chance for you to jump in and give your thoughts if you'd like to.

Now, Nilgun, I think, um, this is a chance for you to jump in and give your thoughts if you'd like to.

Sure. Having engaged with a number of those venues, I also know that they've received, you know, access and inclusion training to improve their confidence and awareness. And they have a number of resources on their websites that have been developed in consultation with the community. Verbal maps, different guides, especially for Melbourne Recital Centre and Arts House and other things to mention around the festival. Just adding to Sarah's list is that there is live captioning and that there are a number of events online, and a huge amount of the events are free. Registrations are required and for things like performances especially, there is ticketing and prices associated with that. But a real plus is that quite a lot of the festival is, yeah, free.

Sure. Having engaged with a number of those venues, I also know that they've received, you know, access and inclusion training to improve their confidence and awareness. And they have a number of resources on their websites that have been developed in consultation with the community. Verbal maps, different guides, especially for Melbourne Recital Centre and Arts House and other things to mention around the festival. Just adding to Sarah's list is that there is live captioning and that there are a number of events online, and a huge amount of the events are free. Registrations are required and for things like performances especially, there is ticketing and prices associated with that. But a real plus is that quite a lot of the festival is, yeah, free.

Yeah, that's a huge bonus. That's great to hear that. You know, it's accessible in that way as well. It's, you know, really affordable for a lot of people out there. But Sarah, what I'd like to get into now is just talking about why these events are so important for people around Melbourne with disabilities. Why is something like altar states such an important festival for people to have access to?

Yeah, that's a huge bonus. That's great to hear that. You know, it's accessible in that way as well. It's, you know, really affordable for a lot of people out there. But Sarah, what I'd like to get into now is just talking about why these events are so important for people around Melbourne with disabilities. Why is something like altar states such an important festival for people to have access to?

Oh, that is such a great question. There's a number of reasons why it's important. Altar States is really leading the way in several instances. Like to have 100 deaf and disabled artists involved in the program is phenomenal. Like that is work, employment and representation and being able to really create incredible artwork and putting that on the main stages across really important venues in Melbourne. It's an opportunity to see our communities work. We do have people who are blind and low vision in the program. For example, at the National Gallery of Victoria, we have a workshop that is led by someone who identifies as having low vision, so we're able to work essentially. The second reason is for audiences, really, I haven't seen many instances where every single session has access. So as someone who uses audio description, I can choose which night or which day or which session I go to to actually view the work, which means that I can actually live my life and have the same choice as everybody else in order to go. Actually, no, I can't make the Friday night, but hey, I can make the Sunday matinee and actually have that choice, which is really amazing. And it's also a chance to connect with peers, with people within our community, have a social time, have a good time, meet people, network as well as to see the work because we also have social, Auslan interpreters that will arrive early to assist with conversations. And Elgin is also providing describer guides, for example. So there's a combination of modes that access is also being provided. So it's very rare to see that anywhere not just in Melbourne. So I would get amongst it if I were you. Like it's a good opportunity.

Oh, that is such a great question. There's a number of reasons why it's important. Altar States is really leading the way in several instances. Like to have 100 deaf and disabled artists involved in the program is phenomenal. Like that is work, employment and representation and being able to really create incredible artwork and putting that on the main stages across really important venues in Melbourne. It's an opportunity to see our communities work. We do have people who are blind and low vision in the program. For example, at the National Gallery of Victoria, we have a workshop that is led by someone who identifies as having low vision, so we're able to work essentially. The second reason is for audiences, really, I haven't seen many instances where every single session has access. So as someone who uses audio description, I can choose which night or which day or which session I go to to actually view the work, which means that I can actually live my life and have the same choice as everybody else in order to go. Actually, no, I can't make the Friday night, but hey, I can make the Sunday matinee and actually have that choice, which is really amazing. And it's also a chance to connect with peers, with people within our community, have a social time, have a good time, meet people, network as well as to see the work because we also have social, Auslan interpreters that will arrive early to assist with conversations. And Elgin is also providing describer guides, for example. So there's a combination of modes that access is also being provided. So it's very rare to see that anywhere not just in Melbourne. So I would get amongst it if I were you. Like it's a good opportunity.

Yeah. Sounds fantastic. Now Nelson, did you have anything to add there?

Yeah. Sounds fantastic. Now Nelson, did you have anything to add there?

Sure. I'm going to show my age a little bit, but by saying that Alta State Festival is definitely filling missing gap of at least like ten years, where previously there were disability arts festivals called awakenings, for example, the Art of difference festival, and they were important opportunities back then for artists from all around to gather and showcase their work. So there's been a real missing space, and Alta State has filled that. And it also highlights contemporary art and contemporary practice, disabled led practice, and just speaking about audience development, we really want to encourage people to consider, you know, attending for all the reasons Sarah highlighted, especially young people and families and parents and educators to see amazing artists on stage, amazing artists speaking about their work, and to also have the opportunity to contribute and feedback about what future festivals could look like and be.

Sure. I'm going to show my age a little bit, but by saying that Alta State Festival is definitely filling missing gap of at least like ten years, where previously there were disability arts festivals called awakenings, for example, the Art of difference festival, and they were important opportunities back then for artists from all around to gather and showcase their work. So there's been a real missing space, and Alta State has filled that. And it also highlights contemporary art and contemporary practice, disabled led practice, and just speaking about audience development, we really want to encourage people to consider, you know, attending for all the reasons Sarah highlighted, especially young people and families and parents and educators to see amazing artists on stage, amazing artists speaking about their work, and to also have the opportunity to contribute and feedback about what future festivals could look like and be.

The other thing that's super cool about this program is that we're placing First Nations first, so we have a First Nations yarning circle, and we also acknowledge the intersectionality of our community. So on the 13th of October, we also have an event for deaf and disabled people of colour. And those are all audio described in Auslan interpreted as well. So it's a really, really nice time in Melbourne to value and acknowledge all of our contributions and who we are and connect with each other.

The other thing that's super cool about this program is that we're placing First Nations first, so we have a First Nations yarning circle, and we also acknowledge the intersectionality of our community. So on the 13th of October, we also have an event for deaf and disabled people of colour. And those are all audio described in Auslan interpreted as well. So it's a really, really nice time in Melbourne to value and acknowledge all of our contributions and who we are and connect with each other.

The theme for this year's festival and the manifesto performance that's taking. Yeah, on the 12th. So manifesto is the performance devised by Transmit Futures Ensemble. The artistic director, Andy Snelling, and the ensemble present their interpretations of audience responses that are central to the alter state provocation, which is what are our dreams and ideas for the future. So that is a really interesting collaboration that has audience engagement coming into and being presented through their work called manifesto.

The theme for this year's festival and the manifesto performance that's taking. Yeah, on the 12th. So manifesto is the performance devised by Transmit Futures Ensemble. The artistic director, Andy Snelling, and the ensemble present their interpretations of audience responses that are central to the alter state provocation, which is what are our dreams and ideas for the future. So that is a really interesting collaboration that has audience engagement coming into and being presented through their work called manifesto.

There might be a lot of people out there right now thinking, oh my God, this all sounds fantastic. I'd love to head along and get involved, you know, sign up, find out more, all that sort of thing. So, you know, what's the best way for people to book a ticket, register to head along to the event? Or, you know, just find out more about all the events that are going on throughout. Alter state.

There might be a lot of people out there right now thinking, oh my God, this all sounds fantastic. I'd love to head along and get involved, you know, sign up, find out more, all that sort of thing. So, you know, what's the best way for people to book a ticket, register to head along to the event? Or, you know, just find out more about all the events that are going on throughout. Alter state.

Absolutely. You can buy tickets over the phone by calling 1300 182. 183 or you can email ticketing at Arts Centre Melbourne. Com.au because a number of the events are free, you can just elect to put how many tickets you want or you can fill in that companion card ticket box if you want to. You can also buy tickets or register in person by going to the theatre's building box office on level five at Arts Centre Melbourne for the Arts Centre, Melbourne. Programming, for example. Um, and if you'd like to go to an event at one of our seven other venues, you can check the Alter State website, which is Arts Centre Melbourne. Com.au slash alter state. Or you can ring up those venues that I mentioned before. You can phone, you can email, you can go in person or you can also register via the website.

Absolutely. You can buy tickets over the phone by calling 1300 182. 183 or you can email ticketing at Arts Centre Melbourne. Com.au because a number of the events are free, you can just elect to put how many tickets you want or you can fill in that companion card ticket box if you want to. You can also buy tickets or register in person by going to the theatre's building box office on level five at Arts Centre Melbourne for the Arts Centre, Melbourne. Programming, for example. Um, and if you'd like to go to an event at one of our seven other venues, you can check the Alter State website, which is Arts Centre Melbourne. Com.au slash alter state. Or you can ring up those venues that I mentioned before. You can phone, you can email, you can go in person or you can also register via the website.

Sarah Nogan, thanks so much for your time today. Look forward to hearing how Alter State goes and, um, having you back on talking vision in the future.

Sarah Nogan, thanks so much for your time today. Look forward to hearing how Alter State goes and, um, having you back on talking vision in the future.

Thanks, Sam.

Thanks, Sam.

Sam.

Sam.