For over a decade, our award-winning nonprofit academy and professional studios have been preparing young adults on the autism spectrum to launch careers in animation, VFX and the digital arts.

WINTER WORKSHOP REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

In Person and Virtual Classes Starting January 11, 2025

Exceptional Minds and its partners are building a future where neurodiverse perspectives advance an inclusive hiring culture in the entertainment industry. Here’s how:

job training

Job Training

Customized technical and work readiness training in the growing animation and digital arts fields.

Hands-On Experience

On the job experience at our in house studios; mentorships and internships in the competitive entertainment industry.

Career Placement

Building sustainable careers and inclusive workplaces in partnership with industry leaders.

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Attend Exceptional Minds

As an artist on the autism spectrum, you can acquire the skills needed for a career in the entertainment industry.

Our Partners

Meet our artists and see their work

Our studio team collaborated with our partner Mitsubishi Electric to create this animated short celebrating the talent and creativity of artists on the spectrum.

About Us

Empowering individuals with autism to achieve independence through career development.

The Academy

Student-teacher ratios below 7:1, 95% graduation rate, and 1,400+ participants and counting

The Studio

Graduate artists are paid for work in our professional Animation and VFX studios. 345+ projects complete, including Oscar-winning films.

Your Support

Every contribution provides vital support for educating and employing a student with autism.

Diversifying the workplace

New creative voices are vital to the advancement of an empowered and inclusive society. Hire neurodiverse talent.

Exceptional Minds is a nonprofit academy and post production studio for people on the autism spectrum.

Our full-time three-year program, private lessons, summer workshops, and small group instruction prepare students for careers in animation and visual effects.

Graduates work full-time for studios including Disney/Marvel, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network.

Exceptional Minds’ professional studio employs graduates who work on projects for Disney, Marvel, ILM, Netflix, Amazon, Warner Bros., Universal, Paramount, Sesame Workshop, and many others.