Grant expands inclusive opportunities for neurodivergent individuals
April 4, 2025
| By La Crosse Community Foundation |
Natalie Derr from Islands of Brilliance demonstrates a creative arts activity that the group presented at the Pump House Regional Arts Center. The programs, funded in part through a grant from La Crosse Area Community Foundation, are designed to connect neurodivergent youth and young adults in the greater community.
La Crosse grant supports creative inclusion for neurodivergent youth
La Crosse Area Community Foundation today announced a grant that will fund more inclusive experiences for youth and young adults who are neurodivergent. The $10,000 grant is funding Islands of Brilliance’s La Crosse-based Brilliant Fellows program, where trained facilitators lead creative workshops designed to build connection, confidence, and community.
The announcement came just as IOB was setting up one of its first programs with the grant, the “Art ReMix,” a part of the Downtown Art Walk. The free drop-in event gives participants ages eight and up the opportunity to use iPads to “remix” famous works of art. From transforming the Mona Lisa into an Oompa Loompa to exploring new and inventive ways to engage with iconic works, the hands-on experience is being led by La Crosse-area fellows funded by the LACF grant.
Art as a tool for building confidence and connection for neurodivergent participants
“Art is a valuable tool for helping neurodivergent young adults feel more confident, connected, and supported,” said Mark Fairbanks, cofounder and executive director of Islands of Brilliance. “It allows each person to express their unique interests while building friendships, expressing themselves, and feeling a sense of belonging.”
Building community through inclusive art workshops
Fairbanks said ReMix and other workshops are designed to be safe and welcoming, helping participants grow in areas such as self-worth, stress relief, and social skills, while also building community connections.
Supporting leadership and social capital through grantmaking
La Crosse Area Community Foundation Impact Director Lauren Journot said it was a natural fit for foundation funding.
“To build social capital and a more connected community, we need more networks of support that support personal identity, build confidence, and provide participants with a sense of citizenship in our community,” said Journot. “The work of the IOB Fellows exemplifies the kind of leadership and community-building our grantmaking is designed to support.”