Embracing Neurodiversity in Community Art
- Rose Hill
- Mar 27
- 2 min read
Updated: 8 minutes ago
At Co-Creative Connection, we believe that creativity flourishes when diverse minds come together. As we take a look back on Neurodiversity Week, which ran last week from March 17th to 23rd, we’re honouring the special ways neurodivergent people experience and contribute to the world, particularly in community-driven art.
What is Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is the celebration of neurological differences - such as dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and other cognitive variations - showing how they’re natural and valuable. These differences shape how people think, learn, and communicate, bringing fresh perspectives and strengths to creative spaces.
Creativity and Neurodivergence: A Perfect Match
Art is an amazing outlet for self-expression, especially for neurodivergent individuals. Art is also a powerful way for us to communicate ideas that might not always fit into conventional frameworks. Many neurodivergent artists thrive in things like pattern recognition, problem-solving, and thinking outside the box, which are essential skills for community-led art projects that aim to tell a shared story.
Rose’s Perspective: Turning Dyslexia into a Strength
Our founder and lead artist, Rose Hill, is dyslexic, and she sees this as one of her greatest creative strengths! Being a highly visual thinker allows her to translate complex ideas into beautiful and striking, accessible imagery which is an essential skill when designing murals that reflect diverse communities.
Rose’s approach to art is very intuitive, relying on colour, form, and spatial awareness to craft pieces that resonate with people on an emotional level. Her ability to think in images rather than words helps her create designs that are rich in meaning and symbolism. This is something that has defined Co-Creative Connection’s work.
How We Foster Inclusive Creativity
At Co-Creative Connection, we strive to make our workshops and projects accessible and inclusive. This means:
Encouraging multiple forms of communication, such as visual storytelling, hands-on demonstrations, and open discussions.
Creating structured yet flexible sessions that allow participants to engage in ways that suit them best.
Using art as a means of empowerment ensures that every participant - regardless of their neurotype - feels valued and heard.
Celebrating Neurodiversity in Our Work
Many of our community murals are shaped by neurodivergent voices, incorporating unique perspectives that might otherwise be overlooked. Embracing different ways of thinking and creating means that we can produce art that represents the people and places they are designed for.
As we look back on Neurodiversity Week, we encourage everyone to take a moment to appreciate the different ways people think and create. The world is richer, more colourful, and more innovative because of neurodiversity. Let’s continue to make space for every kind of mind in art and beyond!
If you’d like to collaborate with us or learn more about our approach, get in touch - we’d love to hear from you!
Comments