Deaf Art Science Festival

three people turn knobs on an interactive museum display
'Fans' (2025) in Silent Hand Catches Silver Bell: 25 Years of Speak Percussion. Photo: Carmen Zammit

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We warmly invite families, young people, members and allies of the Deaf community to Science Gallery Melbourne’s free Deaf Art Science Festival on Saturday 29 November 2025.

This event has been co-designed with members of the Deaf community including students and professionals, and will be an exciting day of exploration and learning at the University of Melbourne’s Science Gallery and Grainger Museum.

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Deaf Art Science Festival at Grainger Museum

Presented by Speak Percussion

Join new music visionaries Speak Percussion to explore Silent Hand Catches Silver Bell, a major exhibition at Grainger Museum celebrating the organisation’s 25th anniversary. Experience an Auslan-interpreted tour of the exhibition alongside a hands-on exploration of cymatics – the mesmerising science of transforming sound waves into intricate visual patterns.

See how sound becomes visible in this unique fusion of art and science. Through interactive demonstrations, you'll witness how invisible vibrations create stunning geometric forms to reveal the hidden architecture of sound itself.

Perfect for curious minds of all ages. No prior experience necessary – just bring your sense of wonder.

Auslan interpretation provided throughout

Meet at Science Gallery Melbourne at 12.45pm to walk here together or join at Grainger Museum at 1pm.

Speak Percussion is an internationally recognised contemporary art music ensemble that has shaped the sound of 21st century Australian percussion music through ambitious, boundary-pushing projects presented in concert halls, galleries, and site-specific locations worldwide.

Festival schedule

TimeSessionLocation
11am–2pm

Drop in STEM workshops for young people

Suitable for D/deaf/HoH and Hearing young people

Science Gallery Melbourne

STEM Centre of Excellence – Basement

11–11:45am

Deaf Awareness in Education with Expression Australia

Suitable for all teachers and educators

Science Gallery Melbourne Theatre – Basement
11:15–11:45am

Deaf-led tour of DISTRACTION exhibition

Suitable for all

Science Gallery Melbourne front desk
12–12:45pm

Panel discussion - Auslan in the Creative Arts and Sciences

Suitable for all

Science Gallery Melbourne Theatre – Basement
12:45–1:15pm

Deaf-led tour of DISTRACTION exhibition

Suitable for all

Science Gallery Melbourne front desk
12:45-2:00pm

Grainger Museum tour and experience with Speak Percussion

Suitable for all

Meet at Science Gallery Melbourne front desk to walk to Grainger Museum at 12:45pm,
or meet at 1pm at Grainger Museum
1:15–2pm

Introduction to Auslan lesson

Suitable for those with limited or no Auslan skills

Science Gallery Melbourne – Basement at bottom of stairs

Directions

Getting to Grainger Museum

Getting to Science Gallery Melbourne

This event has been made possible with support of the Commonwealth Government. The Grainger Museum tour and experience with Speak Percussion is supported by the City of Melbourne Arts Grants.

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