Exceptional Minds

10/16/2026

Please join us in welcoming Blake Baumann to the Exceptional Minds Board of Directors! 🎉

Blake is the Co-Founder and CEO of Ideal Minds. He is an autistic executive coach, a parent of four neurodivergent young adults, and has spent more than a decade helping autistic and ADHD people and their families build confidence and find career success.

“I’ve always believed that neurodivergent individuals have extraordinary talents when given the right opportunities,” Blake says. “Exceptional Minds is turning that belief into action.”

Welcome to EM, Blake!

10/15/2026

Oskar’s Thesis Film Journey at Exceptional Minds

Oskar is in his thesis class at Exceptional Minds, creating a one-minute short film as his final project, from first storyboard to finished screen. In this video he talks about his 3D modeling and advanced animation classes, working in Cinema 4D, and how everything he learns carries into his own art.

“The things that they teach me here are exactly what I want to do with my career.”

That’s what your support for Exceptional Minds builds. Artists on a direct path to careers in animation and media.

Invest in the next generation of artists:
https://exceptional-minds.monkeypod.io/give/a-career-of-their-own?tags=FY27%20EOY%20Campaign%20Appeal%20-%20Facebook

10/08/2026

Catch the recording of "Neurodiversity in the Workplace," a VES Web...

10/08/2026

Independence looks like this: getting a task, finding your own way to finish it, and earning a paycheck for the work you create.

That's Alex's day in our Production Lab.

Alex graduated from the Exceptional Minds Academy, where he studied motion graphics and storyboarding. When school ended, he didn't face the service cliff, the moment when the services autistic young adults have counted on for years suddenly stop. He stepped into our Production Lab instead, working on real client projects and building an independent life, one finished project at a time.

"I can figure it out by myself," he proudly claims.

Alex's journey is powered by a community that believes in him: our instructors, mentors, families, and donors like you.

This season, we're raising $30,000 by December 31 so more artists like Alex can move from training to paid work. Join our community of supporters today. https://exceptional-minds.monkeypod.io/give/a-career-of-their-own?tags=FY27%20EOY%20Campaign%20Appeal%20-%20Facebook

09/09/2026

You’ve had so much on your to-do list, you forgot about signing up for Fall Workshops. Don’t panic! We have 12 spots remaining.

Returning students skip the tour and application process and go straight to registration. Choose your class, submit your payment, and you’re done. Stress less, do more.

Sign up today, classes start this Saturday, September 12!
https://exceptional-minds.org/academy/fall/

08/24/2026

Do you love Star Wars? Can’t get enough of creatures from the deep? Do you want to be a Monster at digital design? We are now enrolling for Fall Workshops! Our seasonal workshops are a beginner-friendly, part-time program for students interested in learning new skills in the digital arts and entertainment. Classes meet once per week for five weeks.

Build your portfolio, learn a new software, and have fun! Register now: https://exceptional-minds.org/academy/fall/

08/12/2026

Our Animation Studio team is proud to highlight another incredible achievement from our artists.

Bigfoot Burger, written by Exceptional Minds graduate Liam Brosnan (Class of 2021), is a fantastic showcase of the industry-standard work our studio artists produce. From initial script to final render, our artists collaborated to create a standout comedic short that highlights the power of inclusion in entertainment.

We are excited to share this milestone and celebrate the team's hard work.

Watch the full short film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq-UHoOhtdc

07/30/2026

Exceptional Minds just leveled up. Ed Coleman (CBS Sports) and Bradley Kravitz (Toon Boom Animation) are joining our Board of Directors, and Tierney Yates is stepping in as Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships.

Between Coleman's production pipeline expertise, Kravitz's deep ties across the animation industry, and Yates's track record in nonprofit fundraising and neurodiversity advocacy, this is a serious infusion of talent behind our mission.

Full story here:

Industry vets Ed Coleman and Bradley Kravitz alongside non-profit pro Tierney Yates join the leadership team of Exceptional Minds.

07/20/2026

We're hiring multiple positions!

For over a decade, our award-winning nonprofit academy and working production studio has been preparing young adults on the autism spectrum for careers in animation and the digital arts. Exceptional Minds develops a diverse and inclusive workforce of thoughtful and talented artists once on the margins, who now have what every young professional seeks - dignity, hope, and a command of the skills and tools necessary to lead successful careers.

We welcome applicants with diverse experiences, communication styles, and ways of thinking.

Learn more & apply: https://secure5.entertimeonline.com/ta/CBIZ21050.careers?CareersSearch=&ein_id=85412930&lang=en-US

07/16/2026

A special screening of HORSEGIRLS is coming to Laemmle NoHo on Saturday, July 18.

Hosted by 360 Degree Communications, the award-winning film follows Margarita, a 22-year-old autistic woman who discovers hobbyhorsing and gains the confidence to forge her own path toward independence.

Watch the trailer and purchase tickets through the links below. We hope you'll check it out!

Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdvV29CGdPs
Buy tickets for July 18: https://www.laemmle.com/film/horsegirls?date=2026-07-18