Access Notes 

 

2019 White Rabbit Residency and Festival  

 

Introduction 

The Red Clay Studio Society and White Rabbit Arts annually host an artist residency and festival in August. These events take place at Red Clay Art Farm, in Economy Nova Scotia. Despite the accessibility barriers inherent to a rural, farm environment, we value inclusivity, hospitality, and community care. We are working towards making White Rabbit a more accessible event.
 

Land Acknowledgement 

The White Rabbit staff is working on developing a land acknowledgement that recognizes Canada’s colonial history. Red Clay is located in Economy, Nova Scotia. The name of the township was adapted by Scottish and Acadian settlers from the word “Kenomee,” this being the Mi’kmaq word for “a place of land jutting out into the sea.” We acknowledge this name and the land we are hosted on as a traditional part of Mi’kma’ki. These are the hunting and gathering lands of the peoples that host us. We are committed to honouring the Peace and Friendship Treaties to which we are avowed as settlers in this region of Turtle island. 

 As a society, the RC3 is charged with caring for the land; ensuring it remains a place of retreat, peace, and natural beauty. It is the site of several cabins and a home. It is important to acknowledge ourselves as guests on the land. We thank Tom Young, as well as the ten other landshare members for their work to care for the land that hosts White Rabbit. 
 

Communications and marketing  

In order to make an inquiry about the residency, or have any questions regarding accessibility accommodations, contact the residency coordinator, Jo Smith, by voice-call at (902)478-9848 or email at joleebrooksmith@gmail.com. In order to make an inquiry about the festival, contact the festival coordinator, Devin Horsman, by voice-call at (902)830-7823 or email at horsman@gmail.com.  

We are working towards having accessibility notes available online prior to the beginning of the residency and festival. At the moment, it is beyond our capacity to develop a map that includes all accessibility features of the event.  

We aim to ensure that all of our event information is available in text format, separate from graphics, and use alt text where appropriate. Our print materials do not always follow clear-print guidelines but we make a conscious effort towards readability.  

Our programming, communications, and program support materials, all use clear-speech in English. One of our staff members is fluent in French. If you need assistance in French please let us know.  

At this time, we don’t offer language services such as translations, real-time captioning, ASL interpretation, or braille. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you require language services. We will try to accommodate.  

In our communications, we are conscious to use gender-neautral language that is inclusive of queer, trans, and gender-varient people. We make an effort to habitually collect preferred pronouns and allow folks to self identify.  
 

Facilities and Site 

The entrance to the site will be accessible and will be identified clearly with signage. During the residency and festival, there will be staff people and volunteers who are ready and willing to assist with physical access.  

There are obstacles for people with mobility concerns, such as steep inclines, unflattened walkways, roots growing through paths, but our site team is working to minimize these. Clearances for the main paths at Red Clay will be maintained at 42” or wider. The site is not accessible for all mobility devices, but those who use walkers, canes and strollers will be able to navigate the main paths, except for the steep path down by the ravine.  

There are two indoor bathrooms that are private and inaccessible during the festival with the exception of special permission; both require the use of stairs. There are four outhouses in the forest that are private, accessible by forest path. 
 

Transportation 

Red Clay is located at 4715 Trunk 2, Upper Economy, Nova Scotia. There are international airports in Halifax and Moncton — each are about 1.5 hours away by car. The nearest VIA rail station and bus stop are in Truro, NS. We will help facilitate ride-shares for staff, volunteers, residents, and performers. Festival attendees are encouraged to coordinate their own rideshares via our Facebook event. The roads leading to Red Clay are not pedestrian friendly, as they have a narrow shoulder and no sidewalks.  
 

Hospitality 

Red Clay is not a scent-free environment. The use of bug spray and sunscreen is necessary; even the natural options for these products are scented. The sauna often includes the use of essential oils; out of respect, individuals should check with others before introducing these to a session.  

We aim to be accommodating to those with dietary restrictions. Please note that someone on site during the residency has a severe allergy to the following: peanuts, nuts, chickpeas, lentils, sesame seeds, and pink peppercorns. Out of respect, we ask that you do not bring food with any of these ingredients. 

During the festival, the cooks will prepare meals that can accommodate a variety of dietary needs, but we cannot guarantee that there won’t be cross-contamination of ingredients.   

There is drinkable water available at the sink in the outdoor kitchen area, as well as several taps on site. Bring a reusable water bottle and stay hydrated! 

There are limited indoor or semi-indoor sleeping spaces, with priority going to volunteers, staff, and artists in residence from out of province and with specific access needs. Most residents camp. There will be no additional indoor sleeping spaces available during the festival. Festival attendees, volunteers, and performers are encouraged to tent-camp. Red Clay is a wonderful place for hammock sleeping. There are two designated spaces for festival campers, and one area for family and staff/resident camping.  
 

Financial Access 

There is a limited amount of money that is allocated for needs-based bursaries for artists in residence. There is no PWYC option for the festival, but there is a reduced cost for youth and children. We do offer a labour exchange for festival volunteers, as they receive free entrance for their time. 
 

Families and children 

White Rabbit is all-ages and family friendly but does not have the capacity to offer childcare. We welcome parents to bring their children to events to which they deem appropriate for their children to attend. There is a campground near the Downtown area that is designated for artists in residence and families.   

Dogs are welcome if they are on leash.  

There is no required dress for White Rabbit. The sauna and ponds are clothing-optional. How much you choose to bare is up to you!  
 

Consent and Safer Spaces 

White Rabbit actively encourages a culture of self and community care, consent, and emotional openness. It is our priority to ensure you feel safe while at Red Clay. Unfortunately, no space is completely immune to forms of harassment. If you experience or witness any kind of behaviour that makes you feel uncomfortable or concerned during the residency, please speak to Jo, the residency coordinator, or another staff member. We will support you in finding a resolution.  

During the festival, a designated team will be dedicated to promoting an environment of consent and safety, and be available to provide support for anyone who needs it. There will be a decompression space. This year, we will be offering disclosure and bystander intervention training to our festival volunteers, which will be optional for all except our consent and safety team, and volunteer captains, for whom it will be mandatory.  

During the residency, consent culture will be highlighted by the residency coordinator as a mode of interaction between all rabbits, staff, and residency volunteers. Jo, the residency coordinator, is the point person for helping to resolve any issues pertaining to consent and safety.  

We are dedicated to a harm-reduction model. There will be several naloxone kits present on site through the residency and festival. There will be a sharps container with the first aid kit during the residency and the first aid team during the festival.  

Site safety and Emergency Planning 

TBA