public +

Accessibility and activities — Where art breaks down barriers

Une dizaine de personnes, l'air heureux, sont rassemblées autour d'une longue table lors d'un souper-performance. Des bougies, fleurs, couverts et bouteilles sont sur la table. Des gens applaudissent. — 'These Traces Will Remain', dinner-performance as part of the exhibition 'The Traces That Remain' curated by eunice bélidor | june 2024 | © David Wong

The Public+ program offers various innovative ways to make artworks more accessible to diverse audiences.

It’s also through this program that MAI builds connections between artists and local communities through activities that run parallel to the programming: talkbacks, workshops, exhibition tours, film screenings, parties, lectures, round-table discussions and more!

Welcome to MAI, where accessibility to art and artists is a priority.

ASL — Welcome to the MAI Public+ Program webpage!

program and activities

Shows, events and activities for Deaf spectators

MAI offers a variety of shows and activities for Deaf audiences. With Deaf artists in the programming, Deaf cultural mediators hosting events and guided exhibition tours, LSQ and/or ASL interpreters present before and after shows, vibrotactile pillows to access the sounds of the show in the form of direct vibrations, and school performances for Deaf students, MAI is committed to welcoming Deaf audience members, artists, and employees to its spaces and to continuously working to improve its practices.

learn more

Vibrotactiles pillows

Vibrotactile pillows provide access to sound production in the form of direct vibrations. The pillows are flexible and can be worn in the arms, placed on the back, under the feet or wherever is most comfortable for the person using it. Each pillow is equipped with a transducer that produces both the sound and the accompanying vibration. A transducer is an electronic device that converts energy from one form to another thus these pillows convert the energy of the sound into an enhanced vibrational experience. The vibrotactile pillows are provided through a collaboration with VibraFusionLab. The pillows are the result of a collaboration with David Bobier of VibraFusionLab, a media arts center based in London, Ontario. The center offers opportunities for the creation and presentation of multi-sensory artistic practices, in partnership with other arts and technology organizations. As an interactive creative media studio VibraFusionLab promotes and encourages the creation of new accessible art forms, including the vibrotactile, and focuses on inclusive technologies that have the potential of expanding art-making practices in the Deaf, Blind, disabled and hearing communities, and to create more inclusive experiences for Deaf, Blind, disabled and hearing audiences.

Shows, events and activities for Blind spectators

MAI offers a variety of shows and activities for blind and visually impaired audiences. With blind and partially sighted artists in the programming, a theater show that does not involve vision, the presence of sighted guides for several activities and events, live audiodescription and tactile tours for certain shows or exhibitions and action research with blind audiences, MAI is committed to welcoming blind members of the public to its spaces and to continuously working to improve its practices.

learn more + audiodescription schedule

relaxed performance

A relaxed performance (RD) takes a more relaxed approach to noise and movement during the show. The sound and visual ambience of the show, as well as the welcome, can be adapted to create a calm and inclusive environment. A detailed show guide, familiarization visits and visual story guide of the MAI are offered to audience members who feel the need. Relaxed performances are open to everyone, and can particularly meet the needs of people who identify with a sensory or intellectual disability, a neurological or learning disability, people who experience anxiety, people with newborn babies, or anyone who doesn't feel comfortable with the conventions of a traditional performance environment.

relaxed performances schedule

Childcare during performances

To enable parents with young children to enjoy the program, MAI offers free childcare during certain afternoon performances. Professional educators are on hand, and a show-related art workshop is offered for children whose parents are going to see the show. Registration required. Childcare is offered for the performance of Fragments : celle qui m'habitait déjà by Audrey-Anne Bouchard, Au-delà du visuel on October 25th at 3pm. More information with the link below.

Childcare for the performance of Fragments : celle qui m'habitait déjà

Talkbacks

Post-show conversations offer moments of intimate encounter between the artists and the public. Discussions usually take place after the Friday evening performance and are moderated by a person chosen by the artist. It is also an opportunity for the public to ask questions to the artistic team.

season 24.25 talkbacks schedule

THE ARTIST INVITES YOU

THE ARTIST INVITES YOU is an opportunity for programmed artists to invite a small group of people to attend one of their performances free of charge. Members of community organizations, student groups, activists, elders, etc. Everyone can be included in this special initiative!

WORKSHOPS

Workshops offered by MAI bring together artists who are part of the programming and/or collaborators and various communities with whom the artists wish to collaborate. To see the workshop offered during the performance of Fragments : celle qui m'habitait déjà, see the link below.

Au-delà du visuel workshop

interactive visits

throughout the year

MAI is committed to fostering accessibility through dialogue and more intimate experiences with contemporary art. Whether you are a school, community, or other group, MAI offers guided, interactive visits of its visual arts exhibits year-round. Tours are adapted to groups’ different needs. Please contact us for for information.

book a visit

MTL ARTS ACCESSIBLES

September 19, 2024 — from 5 to 8 pm

MAI and Danse-Cité present the first edition of MTL ARTS ACCESSIBLES, a festive evening showcasing Montreal's accessible cultural programming for the 2024-2025 season. In a convivial 5@8 format, come and visit the booths of the various cultural venues (dance, theater, visual arts, performances, etc.) offering accessible shows and activities, while enjoying a warm atmosphere with DJ, VJ, mini-performance, entertainment, ticket draw, appetizers and drinks. The shows and activities on the accessible calendar are aimed at the Deaf and hard-of-hearing, the blind and partially-sighted, the motor-impaired and the neurodivergent, among others. September 19, 2024 from 5 to 8 pm - Café du MAI With the support of the Conseil des arts de Montréal and the Maisons de la culture.

more infos + reserve your spot here!

Conseil des arts de Montréal Indigenous Arts Residency Program

The Conseil des arts de Montréal Indigenous Arts Residency Program fosters stimulating, reciprocal artistic exchanges and cross-disciplinary dialogue by offering an Indigenous perspective in arts and culture. For this residency project, MAI welcomes Deaf artist, cultural mediator and consultant Dominique Ireland.

learn more

Questions, comments, collaborations?

Get in touch !

Please feel free to contact Claudia Parent for information on accessible programming or to discuss opportunities for collaboration with the MAI in the area of cultural accessibility by email [email protected] or by phone at 514-982-1812 ext. 231. Claudia Parent has fifteen years of experience working in Montreal cultural institutions, including twelve years at the MAI, a multidisciplinary intercultural arts venue. She develops practices and programming that promote access to stages, artworks, and the workplace, particularly for people who are Deaf and/or living with disabilities. She has coordinated more than fifty local, national, and international productions in dance, performance, theater, music, and visual arts. She has initiated MTL Arts Accessibles, an annual festive event that showcases accessible cultural programming in the performing and visual arts in Montreal, and Dragcessible, an inclusive and multilingual drag cabaret (FR, ENG, LSQ, ASL), for both performers and audiences.