Connected
Why spaces for neurodiverse artists are essential.
Workplaces, classrooms and creative studios are just a few examples of everyday spaces that are largely designed with neurotypical norms in mind. And for artists who are neurodivergent, the process of creating, displaying and selling their work can be an inaccessible task.
What is neurodivergence?
Neurodiversity is a term used to describe the wide spectrum of human experiences driven by relationships, social habits and environments. The term neurodivergence is used to identify people’s experiences by their differences rather than solely by their problems.
According to the University of Washington School of Medicine, neurodivergence refers to anyone whose brain develops or works differently than the neurotypical medical baseline.
In an article released by the university’s medical publication, Right as Rain, health and wellness writer McKenna Princing wrote, “Neurodivergent people have brain function that is different from what is considered common or neurotypical by Western medicine. This is problematic in that it sets neurotypical people up as ‘normal’ and neurodivergent people as ‘abnormal.’”
The term began to gain popularity after Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist, explained neurodivergence in her honors thesis, Odd People In, published by the University of Technology Sydney in 1989. Singer, who has autism, wanted a word that described how brains develop and function differently.
In her essay, Singer said that what society considers “normal” is rarely achieved, even by those who identify as neurotypical. This means that the expectations we are taught to strive for in environments intended for work, learning and recreation do not typically support people, both neurotypical or neurodiverse, in achieving success that is sustainable.
According to UW Medicine, common forms of neurodivergence include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and dyslexia.
Princing said, “Neurodivergence can be associated with disability and mental illness but not in all cases. Some people who are neurodivergent may also have a disability, or their neurodivergence may be disabling in certain circumstances.”
Neurodivergence is still being defined by those who adopt the term and because of this, there is no definite way to know how many people identify with it. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 15% to 20% of the world’s population is neurodivergent.
What do spaces for neurodivergent artists look like?
People who are neurodivergent face challenges in spaces that lack the flexibility to meet their individual needs.
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ADHD Aware, an organization in the United Kingdom that supports people living with neurodiversity, published the study “Neurodiversity and other conditions.”
The study said, “many aspects of society are based on the assumption that there is one form of ‘the human mind’ and accordingly, many systems have been built up premised on being neurotypical. Building a society that is accessible for neurodiverse people is not only beneficial for everyone but fair.”
Summertime is a non-profit art studio and gallery located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Its mission is to create a space where artists who identify as neurodivergent or have intellectual disabilities can create and show their work with support and mentorship.
According to its website, Summertime was started in May 2019 by Anna Schechter and Sophia Cosmadopoulos. Together they have worked with over 100 artists and curated more than 50 shows.
In the long term, Summertime hopes to eliminate the need to label its space as being for “neurodivergent artists.” Instead, Summertime hopes that the accessibility that it provides will become widespread and available to all artists.
Land Studio and Gallery on Bedford Avenue is another Brooklyn art space that is working towards a similar goal for its creatives. Land provides what they call a “habilitation program” for artists who have developmental disabilities.
Land defines habilitation as the practice of teaching and sustaining life skills. The space’s mission is to “nurture the talents of participating artists while integrating individuals into the community as professional artists.”
Creating, sharing and funding a creative vision is difficult for any artist, but these struggles are amplified for artists with intellectual disabilities who may have been overlooked or not given the same opportunities. Studios such as Summertime and Land aim to help neurodivergent artists navigate these milestones to establish themselves as artists.
Boo Lynn Walsh is a multimedia artist working with Fountain House Gallery. Walsh’s work is sophisticated and detailed, including both hyperrealistic drawings and abstract paintings.
The gallery is an extension of the Fountain House clubhouse, a mental health organization located in Hell’s Kitchen, New York. Walsh has been involved with the gallery and the clubhouse for more than five years.
Fountain House Gallery provides artists with studio space, the opportunity to attend and lead workshops, and the ability to show and sell their work.
“One of the things that I love about the gallery is you can see that the artists are actually, not only becoming masterful in their crafts and taking chances, but many of the Fountain House members actually lead workshops and teach too. I have so much admiration for them,” said Walsh.
Walsh said that developing a sense of community and being able to learn from those within it has helped her grow as an artist.
Rachel Weisman, the gallery’s director, said that for Fountain House’s artists, being able to make money from their art is significant, because it helps them establish their work and financial independence.
Weisman said that even though most of the gallery’s members have been creating art for many years, their work with Fountain House is the first time they have had the opportunity to share it with others.
Creative spaces such as Summertime, Land and Fountain House have one vital thing in common: they allow their artists to drive their missions by honoring their experiences with neurodiversity. The members of these spaces understand how important it is for everyone to have the opportunity to explore their passions with agency and autonomy.
