SignKids, a transformative program by CymaSpace, addresses the prevalent issue of language deprivation among Deaf and Hard of Hearing children while strengthening bonds between Deaf parents and their hearing children. Enriched by art-centric activities, this initiative fosters an environment where American Sign Language (ASL) is not just taught, but naturally acquired and developed. As a bridge between Deaf and hearing worlds, SignKids promotes understanding, inclusivity, and communication, thereby addressing key community needs.
CymaSpace makes arts, media and culture accessible and inclusive to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing through technology, education and outreach. Through strategic partnerships and community support, we advocate for access, inclusion and equity.
Bottom Line for Portland
As a Deaf-focused performance venue and technology incubator, CymaSpace helps people SEE sound through art installations and stage sets that synergize sound, light and vibration. Our exciting performances that involve ALL THE SENSES provide access at the intersection of arts and technology for a mix of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and hearing audiences. With inclusion and accessibility built into the planning and execution of arts, media and cultural events, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing are able to bring their talents to the table as full participants in the Portland-metro lived experience.
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“I can only imagine how amazing it would be if all performing spaces had this kind of installations, maybe even at a bigger scale. You are doing some awesome work!” – Elitza Todorova
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
CymaSpace’s live and online productions empower and promote Deaf performers, technicians and volunteers to advance their skills and use their talents in support of the CymaSpace mission. Our Deaf-led operations, filming and technical teams create accessible and inclusive media content that engages with local and national Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Intersecting BIPOC communities.
Incentives
Every donor will receive a stylish webcam security cover imprinted with the CymaSpace logo.
Donate $25 or more for a chance to win a prize package featuring Deaf artists and creatives.
Donate $100 or more to receive an invitation to SEE sound with ALL THE SENSES at our fully accessible Celebration Concert on January 15, 2022.
Well-intentioned hearing inventors have been trying for years to create devices that help Deaf folks translate American Sign Language to written and/or spoken English. The devices, which look like gloves decked out with technical wires and sensors, are cumbersome. Because they are not invented with Deaf input, they are also mostly ineffective. CymaSpace imagines what it would be like to turn the tables and have Deaf people create a device for hearing folks to translate their speech to sign language in this comedy sketch: “Mouth Language Device.”
This pioneering short video brings to bear all the technical video skills we have been up-skilling our team and developing over the last two years at the CymaSpace studio. For the first time ever, a film shoot was able to occur in Virtual Reality and incorporate Sign Language with the ASL performer streaming live from Washington D.C to Portland Oregon where the Director guided them through the shots. An estimated 500 volunteer hours went into this project including scriptwriting, casting costumes and filming. Our green screen studio patches physical performers into seamless virtual worlds. 3D backgrounds for “Mouth Language Device” were created in Unreal Engine, post production compositing in Aximmetry, and editing in Premiere. Our technical software, camera and lighting resources produce a virtual production unequaled by any Deaf-led media studio.
PORTLAND, Ore. (January 24th, 2019) – At CymaSpace we believe access to the world is a fundamental human right. For over 5 years we have committed our resources to affecting positive change by encouraging inclusion and equal access for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. In support of this vision, CymaSpace is thrilled to announce it’s newest initiative; Access Lab – A Space for All. Assess Lab is the next step to facilitating accessibility at the intersection of technology, art and social movements.
Access Lab integrates a Workshop, Education Program and Support Services within our new 800 sq. ft studio. Access Lab provides multimedia workstations, community meeting areas, event production & rehearsal facilities, audio-visual tools, live captioning technology and a pilot micro-grant program to provide disability accommodation resources to individual members and partnering organizations. Access Lab members have access to these resources year-round in tandem with support and mentorship from CymaSpace volunteer staff. For more information about how to become a member, see our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/cymaspace
Year One Goals:
Increase the frequency and impact of arts and cultural events that are accessible to Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) Oregonians and document the impact of the programs.
Spread awareness of accessibility needs of DHH and access requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Partner with Access Providers: Stellar Communications is a Service Provider agency that refers Sign Language Interpreters and translators. Qualified BIPOC and Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDI’s) are given priority for freelance opportunities in CymaSpace projects.
Create specific work opportunities for Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDI’s). A CDI with native ASL skills complements a non-native interpreter. CymaSpace makes every effort to include CDI’s in all our projects.
Award small grants to qualifying nonprofit and for-profit organizations that want to provide DHH access services and technology, but need performing arts interpretation or live captioning services.
Access Lab – A Space For All is facilitated by CymaSpace, a Portland non-profit arts and technology incubator. CymaSpace is dedicated to making art and cultural events accessible and inclusive to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing through technology, education and outreach. Committed Deaf and hearing volunteers lend their skills to develop a variety of art installations and stage sets that synergize sound, light, and vibration. The work of CymaSpace has been featured nationally on Jimmy Kimmel Live, as well as at festivals like What The Fest?, Portland Winter Light Festival, Kentucky DeaFestival, and prominent local institutions such as Portland Art Museum, Clark County Historical Museum, Portland Institute of Contemporary Art, Oregon Contemporary, and Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI).
PORTLAND, Ore. (April 24, 2018) – CymaSpace is thrilled to announce that the first annual Northwest Deaf Arts Festival (NWDAF) will take place on June 16, 2018 at Mississippi Studios. The NWDAF will bring together top national Deaf artists who share a vision for an inclusive and innovative multi-sensory cultural extravaganza made equally accessible for both Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) and hearing audiences. A diverse mix of Deaf artists will perform live on stage, backed by the latest sound visualization, open captioning and tactile technologies created by CymaSpace volunteers.
Headlining the NWDAF will be Detroit’s Deaf hip-hop artist Sean Forbes who complements his lyrics with American Sign Language. Hip Hop music has caught the attention of young DHH teens with its expressive, gestural performances. Sean has created a series of popular music videos with Oscar-winning Deaf actress Marlee Matlin and Deaf percussionist Evelyn Glennie. The festival will also feature dance sensation Antoine Hunter of the Urban Jazz Dance Company, and renowned Deaf poet Raymond Luczak. In addition, several local performing artists are on the roster, including immersive multimedia performer and CymaSpace founder Myles de Bastion. Tickets for the family matinee and evening show (21 and over) are available at www.nwdeafartsfest.com.
“When artists involve more of the senses, their work is not only more accessible and inclusive, but also more engaging and exciting. We really want to increase awareness for Deaf artists and provide more opportunities for Portlanders to experience Deaf culture. Deaf and signing artists bring a unique perspective to the arts,” says de Bastion.
NWDAF is produced by CymaSpace, a Portland non-profit arts and technology incubator. CymaSpace is dedicated to making all cultural events more accessible and inclusive to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing through technology, education and outreach. Committed Deaf and hearing volunteers lend their skills to develop a variety of art installations and stage sets that synergize sound, light, and vibration. The work of CymaSpace has been featured nationally on Jimmy Kimmel Live, as well as at festivals like What The Fest?, PDX Winter Light Festival, Kentucky DeaFestival, and prominent local institutions such as Portland Art Museum and Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI).
CymaSpace began in a basement near historic Mississippi Ave in Portland’s NE district. Profoundly Deaf artist and designer Myles de Bastion was frustrated with the challenge of creating music. Progressive hearing loss had left him unable to hear the notes or lyrics. Falling back on his technical training, de Bastion connected with the Portland maker community to create interactive light sculptures, enhancing the experience of music with visual representations of sound frequencies and dynamics.
As a member of the Deaf community, de Bastion became aware of barriers for DHH people who enjoyed performance art. Many budget-strapped arts & cultural organizations struggle to provide accessibility accommodations such as sign language interpreters. Therefore, de Bastion founded CymaSpace in 2013 with the mission to facilitate arts and cultural events that are inclusive of the DHH community.
According to the US Census, more than 180,000 Oregonians have difficulty hearing. Many experience isolation and negative stigma. CymaSpace strives to meet the challenges many in the Deaf community face by providing role models and increasing awareness of Deaf culture, which has a rich heritage of social beliefs, behaviors, literary traditions, values and artistic talent.
Key sponsors of the NWDAF include the Regional Arts & Culture Council, Randall Charitable Trust, Oregon Arts Commission, and Willamette Week Give!Guide.
CymaSpace presenting their #SeeingSounds Piano at the Maker Faire.
From September 16 to 17, 2017, CymaSpace will come back to Portland Mini Maker Faire. Hosted by the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI), CymaSpace will take part in this event as one of the makers presenting their Cymatic experiments.
Maker Faire is a gathering of curious people of all ages who are passionate about learning and sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these “makers” to show hobbies, experiments, and projects.
At the Maker Faire, CymaSpace will be presenting their light sculptures and educating the guests on the Cymatic technology. In addition, guests will be able to construct their own pieces of LED pixel art.
CymaSpace is currently looking for volunteers. There are opportunities to get involved and assist by volunteering at the booth outside of the OMSI building. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact us at .
Come join us and experience the technology of CymaSpace!
On July 30, 2017, CymaSpace will be partnering with the Oregon Association of the Deaf (OAD) in its fourth annual DeafFest at Oaks Park. CymaSpace will be making an appearance at DeafFest IV with its own vendor exhibit available in the afternoon.
In the evening, CymaSpace will support OAD by having a team of volunteers prepare the stage for the conference performance. The performance will start at 7:00 PM and feature Indian Deaf dancers, Veena and Vijay Advani. The dancers will be performing an Indian and Bollywood dance on a vibrating stage. This performance is an opportunity for DHH and hearing audiences to learn about the Indian Deaf culture. After the dancers end their show, CymaSpace will continue to assist OAD in removing the equipment.
The performance will feature our Cymatic LED racks. These weatherized, self-contained, modular LED curtain racks are designed for plug-and-play operation with no external lighting controller hardware or computer/software required. Our LED Racks are the most economical option for adding a dazzling Cymatic light display to your event and since they contain an embedded microprocessor and internal microphone, can be set-up without the need for a lighting or sound engineer. These racks are available for you to rent. The link is down below.
CymaSpace is currently looking for volunteers. There are opportunities to get involved and assist by volunteering at the exhibit and the stage. CymaSpace is looking for American Sign Language (ASL) users who can volunteer as interpreters at the vendor exhibit for all three shifts.
If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact us at .
Join today and receive full perks of the CymaSpace membership program including discounted access to events, and a special rewards program with our many participating local and national businesses.
We Make Arts, Cultural & Media Events Accessible & Inclusive To The Deaf & Hard of Hearing Through Technology, Education & Outreach
What is CymaSpace?
Accessibility & Inclusion
CymaSpace is a leading advocate for accessibility and inclusion within performing arts, cultural events, and media broadcasting for DHH people. We are constantly striving to find new ways to ensure our venue and events are inclusive, especially to DHH communities.
Technology & Arts Incubator
We provide incubator services for new fledgling organizations and communities that are exploring emerging concepts in combining technology and the arts.
Education & Outreach
We provide educational opportunities for artists, the general public and other performance venues interested in incorporating our unique, cymatic concepts into their work.
Cymatic Study
CymaSpace is an epicenter for Cymatic study and we are committed to raising awareness of and promoting the benefits of Cymatics (the science and study of sound made visible).
The performance will feature our Cymatic LED racks. These weatherized, self-contained, modular LED curtain racks are designed for plug-and-play operation with no external lighting controller hardware or computer/software required. Our LED Racks are the most economical option for adding a dazzling Cymatic light display to your event and since they contain an embedded microprocessor and internal microphone, can be set-up without the need for a lighting or sound engineer. These racks are available for you to rent. The link is down below.
