Ahead of the reveal of Melbourne’s 2024’s Alter State program in July, it has been announced that this year’s Disability-led program will focus on forging connections with First Nations Deaf and Disabled artists and feature a mainstage production.

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.

“The intention for Alter State 2024 is to gather D/deaf, Disabled, neurodivergent, and chronically ill artists, together with the broader arts industry, through hybrid, accessible programming, and to explore our Disabled Futures; to collectively imagine how Alter State could look, feel, and sound like, now and beyond,” said Jodee Mundy, the festival’s Creative Lead.

The Atler State team at Arts Centre Melbourne, 2023. Photo © Mark Gambino

The plan, said Mundy, is to grow Alter State from a state-based Disability Arts initiative into a major Disability Arts festival that happens across Australia, Aotearoa/New Zealand and the Pacific every two years.

After a digital launch in 2021, Alter State unfolded as a hybrid program in September and October 2022. The inaugural festival presented 28 performances, including five world premiere...