CHANGE A STUDENT’S LIFE

85% of people with autism are unemployed. Help us break the cycle.

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For over a decade our school has enabled artists with autism to launch careers in animation and the digital arts. Here’s how.

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.

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.

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About us

Empowering individuals with autism to achieve independence through career development.

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The Academy

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

Graduate artists are paid for work in our studio. 345+ projects complete, including Oscar-winning films.

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Your Support

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

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Diversifying
the workplace

New creative voices are vital to the advancement of an empowered and inclusive society. Hire neurodiverse talent.
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Resilience in the
time of COVID-19

See our students and faculty remain positive and driven during unprecedented times.

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Exceptional Minds is a nonprofit academy and post production studio for people with autism.

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.

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WHAT OUR PARTNERS SAY

We all have the same dreams. We want significance, dignity, and purpose in our lives. We have an opportunity to give those three words to every student at this school who will actually be able to go out and participate in the dream.

— Jamie Lee Curtis, parent

WHAT OUR PARTNERS SAY

I have a studio full of all types of artists. They’re storytellers; they’re dreamers. Does it take a bit of handholding, yes. Does it take a commitment to never stop until we succeed, yes…but that’s how we make movies. I’m happy to be part of the growth of this important endeavor.

— Victoria Alonso, EVP Marvel Studios

WHAT OUR PARTNERS SAY

You find great talent in the most amazing places. If you can connect people with their dreams then the magic happens.

— Sam Nicholson, CEO Startgate
(with Kevin Titcher, Graduate)
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