{"url":"/sherman-oaks/exceptional-minds","provider":{"id":"exceptional-minds","name":"Exceptional Minds","kind":"organization","about":"Exceptional Minds is a non-profit academy and studio in Sherman Oaks that prepares young adults on the autism spectrum for careers in animation, visual effects, 3D gaming and related entertainment fields. It runs a vocational academy, a post-graduate program and professional post-production studios. Part-time workshops, private lessons and full-time programs are offered at 14144 Ventura Blvd, Suite 100, in person or online via Zoom.","website":"https://exceptional-minds.org/academy/summer/","phone":"(818) 387-8811","email":null,"instagram":null,"founded":null,"credentials":["501(c)(3) non-profit","Accepts Regional Center Self Determination Program funding (Game Arts full-time program)"],"languages":[],"image":null},"location":{"id":"main","name":null,"street":"14144 Ventura Blvd","unit":"Suite 100","city":"sherman-oaks","zip":"91423","neighborhood":null,"coords":[-118.441314,34.149634],"precision":"exact"},"serviceArea":[],"programs":[{"id":"workshops","type":"camp","name":"Animation, VFX and game design workshops","summary":"Short animation, VFX and game design workshops for autistic artists ages 14 and up, in person in Sherman Oaks or online, in summer, fall, winter and spring.","description":"Part-time animation, VFX and digital art workshops designed for artists on the autism spectrum ages 14 and up. Summer workshops are 2 weeks, run 10am-3pm Monday through Friday, and are offered in four sessions. Spring, fall and winter workshops are 5 weeks, two hours a week, in the afternoons and on weekends. Fall courses include Intro to 2D Animation in Adobe Animate, Intro to 3D Animation with Blender, storyboarding, walk cycles, drawing, digital monster design, Star Warz VFX, video editing, scriptwriting, voice acting, and Creative Mind, Calm Core, co-led by an animation instructor and a behavior analyst. Cartoon Saturday is a 4-hour weekly session with a lunch break. Classes are in person in Sherman Oaks or virtual. Applicants must submit proof of an autism diagnosis; a tour is optional. Private lessons are also available.","categories":["special-needs","film-media","art"],"ages":{"min":14,"max":21},"format":"hybrid","camp":{"day":"full","hours":{"days":["mon","tue","wed","thu","fri"],"start":"10:00","end":"15:00"},"seasons":["summer","winter-break"],"sessions":[]},"traits":{"specialNeeds":"focused","conditions":["autism"],"structure":"structured","goals":["skills","creativity","social","confidence","wellbeing","fun"],"skillLevels":["beginner","intermediate"],"feel":"A low-pressure digital arts workshop setting built for autistic students, with behavior analysts involved in some classes.","topics":["animation","vfx","game-design","neurodiversity-affirming","blender","private-lessons","sherman-oaks"],"groupSize":["one-on-one"],"methods":["hands-on","social-emotional"],"telehealth":true}}],"source":{"url":"https://exceptional-minds.org/academy/summer/","fetched":"2026-10-12"},"updated":"2026-10-12","checked":null,"closed":null,"sample":false}