Islands of Brilliance

Islands of Brilliance Pioneering the use of art, creativity, and creative technologies 
to champion autistic individuals.

Islands of Brilliance (IOB) is a learning experience developed specifically for children and young adults on the autism spectrum. Rather than expect students to adapt to the environment, we created the ideal environment. IOB utilizes project-based learning that allows our students to grow their intrinsic capabilities and practice communication, increasing their likelihood of independence as adults

. Our student-focused programming is rooted in art, design, and STEaM-based curriculum. It helps children and young adults learn valuable technical skills, practice critical social and emotional learning competencies, all within a supported environment. Best of all, our students have a place to share their unique voice, ideas, and creativity alongside peers that relate, understand, and motivate.

This summer, we're taking IOB on the road. 🧡Introducing IOB@ — a series of half-day workshops that bring the IOB experie...
06/05/2026

This summer, we're taking IOB on the road. 🧡

Introducing IOB@ — a series of half-day workshops that bring the IOB experience to some of Milwaukee's coolest places. We're talking the Milwaukee Art Museum. Milwaukee Ballet. The Zoo. AND UW-Milwaukee's Planetarium!

👉 https://www.islandsofbrilliance.org/iob-at

Each workshop pairs hands-on exploration of an iconic Milwaukee venue with art creation on iPads — Procreate, Stop Motion Studio, and more. For neurodivergent individuals, it's creativity without walls!

📅 IOB@Milwaukee Art Museum — June 18
📅 IOB@Milwaukee Ballet — June 25
📅 IOB@Zoological Society of Milwaukee — July 29
📅 IOB@UW-Milwaukee Planetarium — August 19

Morning and afternoon sessions available. Space is limited!
👉 https://www.islandsofbrilliance.org/iob-at

Tag a family who needs to see this. ⬇️

🚨 Last Call! 🚨 Come Join us Saturday May 16 for Brilliant Mornings, a resource group for parents and caregivers of neuro...
05/15/2026

🚨 Last Call! 🚨
Come Join us Saturday May 16 for Brilliant Mornings, a resource group for parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children!

As there are a barrage of changes and challenges coming at us regarding Medicaid funding, particularly IRIS funding, this meeting will be a "call to action." Our plan is to share what we know, provide some resources that may help, and most important, action steps.

As always, Brilliant Mornings is a chance to gather and share stories - stories that may invite hugs, stories that welcome a high five, and stories of how we come together and fight for our loved ones.

Brilliant Mornings - Saturday May 16th
Time: 10:00 Arrival, grab coffee and chat (3rd Floor)
Meeting: 10:30 to Noon (5th Floor!)
Location: 507 S. 2nd Street
Register here: https://islandsofbrilliance.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F28450

WHAT ARE YOU DOINGTHIS SUMMER???We've got fun programs designed just for you!With IOB@, we're taking the IOB experience ...
05/14/2026

WHAT ARE YOU DOING
THIS SUMMER???
We've got fun programs designed just for you!

With IOB@, we're taking the IOB experience beyond the studio classroom and into some of Milwaukee’s most exciting spaces. Each workshop immerses students in a unique environment…whether it’s a museum, zoo, or planetarium…where they’ll explore, learn, and then create using creative programs like Procreate or Stop Motion Studio on an iPad.

Learn More Here: https://www.islandsofbrilliance.org/iob-at

⚡️ IOB doing IOB stuff ⚡️At Islands of Brilliance, we build, play, and experiment alongside neurodivergent youth, using ...
04/30/2026

⚡️ IOB doing IOB stuff ⚡️
At Islands of Brilliance, we build, play, and experiment alongside neurodivergent youth, using digital art as a tool for expression and discovery.

Chris, Natalie, Charlie, and Jared took on the “Art vs. Artist” trend to share what that looks like in their own practice. Who else is on this trend? 💥

If you've been meaning to share this with someone who cares about the mission, now is the time. If you've been meaning t...
04/30/2026

If you've been meaning to share this with someone who cares about the mission, now is the time. If you've been meaning to share our message on social, this is a great time to do so. If you've been meaning to give — now is the moment.

And if you want your impact to last beyond this campaign, consider a monthly gift. $50 a month. $100 a month. Whatever feels right.

Will you help close the gap? https://islandsofbrilliance.app.neoncrm.com/forms/54

04/25/2026

"I put my life and soul and flesh and blood into them."
That's Adam, talking about bookmarks he made by hand and gave away at a book fair.

He also talked about cooking for people experiencing homelessness. About his mentors. About his spooky frog bag. About the joy of sharing his art with the world.
This is The Joy Study — National Endowment for the Arts -funded research by Dr. Jeana Holt & Dr. Kate Siekman in partnership with University of Wisconsin Milwaukee — exploring how autistic youth experience and express joy through photos and family journaling.

The findings? Joy looks like connection. Like contribution. It looks like belonging and social cohesion. And that makes for better mental health outcomes.

Here's something worth thinking about: a single $25/month commitment — less than some streaming subscriptions — adds up ...
04/22/2026

Here's something worth thinking about: a single $25/month commitment — less than some streaming subscriptions — adds up to $300 a year. Multiply that by a community of committed monthly donors, and you are the infrastructure that keeps this mission alive between grants, between events, between campaigns.

Unlike one-time donations, monthly gifts let us plan. They let us say yes to a family who needs our programs. They let us recruit and retain the mentors our students deserve. They let us show funders a community that believes in this work all year long — not just in December.

Support the Work: https://islandsofbrilliance.app.neoncrm.com/forms/54

Join us for the Climb4Autism fundraiser in the 3rd Ward!Saturday April 25 at 11 am, at the Train Moment studio (323 N. M...
04/20/2026

Join us for the Climb4Autism fundraiser in the 3rd Ward!

Saturday April 25 at 11 am, at the Train Moment studio (323 N. Milwaukee St.), we will be hanging out with the crew!

Stop by and watch 12 teams of 4 take on the VersaClimber for 20 continuous minutes, working together to climb as far as possible while raising funds for autism awareness and support. It’s equal parts competition and community — driven by purpose, energy, and a shared mission. They will have activations, raffles, and more!

Can't make it? Donate to the cause here by visiting their GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/together-for-islands-of-brilliance

We had a great time at Hayes Bilingual School, running one of our creative workshops that fosters creativity and connect...
04/13/2026

We had a great time at Hayes Bilingual School, running one of our creative workshops that fosters creativity and connection. Thanks for hosting us, we had a lot of fun!

Not pictured: Margaret dunking and hanging off the rim 🤣

🚨JUICE ALERT!Doodle Lounge Drawing Challenge(s): Just Old Grapes + Lime Green VacationWhat is Doodle Lounge?An online, f...
04/11/2026

🚨JUICE ALERT!
Doodle Lounge Drawing Challenge(s): Just Old Grapes + Lime Green Vacation

What is Doodle Lounge?

An online, free-form space for “neurosparkly” artists who like to doodle, sketch, and share their creativity in a relaxed environment. Learn more: https://www.islandsofbrilliance.org/doodle-lounge

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Milwaukee, WI

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