Welcome to Art of Difference, Australia’s premier international Deaf and disability arts event, running from Tuesday 10 to Saturday 21 March 2009.
Now in its ninth year, after four festivals, Art of Difference 2009 is the boldest yet. This two-week international arts festival showcases some of the best and most innovative visual, performing, literary and new media artists. The artists presented here challenge perceptions and offer Melbourne audiences an unforgettable experience that will entertain, stimulate,
confront, provoke and amuse.
The two-day symposium features international and Australian keynote speakers, including UK writer and social commentator Tom Shakespeare and leading US advocate and performer Christine Bruno.
The visual and performing arts program includes international artists such as New Zealand’s Touch Compass, one of the world’s most acclaimed inclusive dance companies, and standup comedian Liz Carr (UK), alongside more than a hundred established and emerging Australian artists.
Presented for the first time this year, Block Party is an event that brings together the entire community and our artists to celebrate the essence of Art of Difference. It is a chance to sample the many and extraordinary talents and stories of Art of Difference.
While the main Festival hub remains at Gasworks Arts Park, the festival has spread across Melbourne including to Northcote Town Hall, Federation Square, Bundoora Homestead and Frankston Arts Centre. For both artists and audiences, Art of Difference provides a context in which Deaf and disability art can be celebrated and recognised as vibrant and important. AOD 09 is a festival for anyone who loves good theatre, dance and art.
Gasworks Arts Park pays its respect to the people and elders, past and present, of the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge and uphold their relationship to this land.
