Dear Friends, Supporters, and Members of our Community,

As we stand at the threshold of 2024, I am filled with immense gratitude and excitement for the journey ahead with CymaSpace. Our mission, rooted in making arts and culture accessible to all, continues to evolve, reflecting our deep commitment to inclusivity and innovation.

This year marks a significant milestone with preparing the launch of our Sign Language Café, a project close to our hearts. Envisioned as a vibrant hub of culinary delight, artistic expression, and community engagement, the café is not just a new venture but a symbol of our broader aspirations. It embodies our dedication to creating spaces where everyone feels welcomed and valued, where the barriers between sound and silence are transcended, and where the richness of Deaf and disability culture is celebrated.

Looking forward to 2024, our vision for CymaSpace is expansive and inclusive. We aim to deepen our impact in the arts and disability sectors, drawing inspiration from the diverse experiences and talents within our community. Our collaboration with Andre Gray, a pivotal figure in our organization, continues to enrich our perspective, especially in the culinary arts and community engagement.

Our commitment to technology and innovation remains steadfast. We foresee more groundbreaking projects that bridge the gap between technology and accessibility, making cultural experiences more immersive and inclusive. Our Maker Workshop and Media Lab programs will continue to be centers of creativity and learning, fostering new ideas and solutions.

Education and outreach will also be a key focus. We plan to strengthen our partnerships with local schools, universities, and cultural organizations, expanding our reach and impact. Initiatives like PAHCast and an immersive Sci-Fi Puzzle Room, designed by and for the Deaf and DeafBlind community, will continue to showcase the trailblazing talents within our midst.

The Sign Language Café is just the beginning. We envision it as a cornerstone for future endeavors, a place where the community can gather, share, and grow together. From Sign Language Poetry Slams to family-friendly events like SignKids: ASL Dungeons & Dragons, we aim to offer a diverse array of cultural activities that resonate with everyone.

As we embark on this exciting new chapter, your support is more vital than ever. It is your belief in our mission and your generous contributions that empower us to make a difference. Together, we can build a future where diversity is not just accepted but celebrated, where every voice is heard, and every heart is touched.

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Here’s to a bright and inclusive 2024 at CymaSpace!

With heartfelt gratitude,

Myles de Bastion & Andre Gray

Co-Artistic Directors

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Representing the CymaSpace team, known for making arts and culture accessible to all, we’re excited to introduce our newest endeavor: the Sign Language Café. This initiative is a natural extension of our mission of bridging communities through art, culture, and now, a unique culinary experience.

Since CymaSpace’s inception, our focus has been on inclusivity, transcending the barriers between sound and silence. The addition of Andre Gray six years ago significantly expanded our impact in the arts and disability sectors. Drawing on Andre’s culinary background, including his successful tenure at Crema Cafe, we’ve envisioned the Sign Language Café. More than a culinary venue, this café aims to deepen community engagement, foster connections, and support our sustainable involvement in Portland’s arts scene.

The Deaf and disability community often faces exclusion in cultural spaces. Our Sign Language Café, rooted in Universal Design and accessibility technology, will be a beacon of inclusivity. It’s designed to offer a disability-friendly environment, promoting communication and career opportunities for those often marginalized.

The café will not just be a space for workforce development, but a vibrant hub where the Deaf and hearing communities can engage in diverse communication and sensory experiences. Our walls will showcase the vibrant artworks of Deaf and disabled artists, celebrating Deaf artistic expression with an array of cultural activities. From Sign Language Poetry Slams to DJ nights and family-friendly events (SignKids: ASL Dungeons & Dragons night, here we come!). Aligning with our broader mission, these projects are only scratching the surface of what we have planned. Ultimately, the café will be the cornerstone of our future endeavors to elevate Deaf and disability artists. 

Your support is crucial in making this vision a reality. By donating, you are directly empowering the Deaf and disability community. We are thankful to those who have generously donated to support our work. Together, we will create a space where diversity is not just accepted but celebrated.

With gratitude,

Myles de Bastion & Andre Gray

PRESS RELEASE

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:

1. 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.
2. Spread awareness of accessibility needs of DHH and access requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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).

For PR/Media Inquiries contact Myles de Bastion: