Autistic-led Regional Culture Arts Neurodiversity Education & Employment (ARCANE) was formed in 2024 to create and promote Autistic arts and culture in Australia; spark new Autistic-led community events and festivals; increase Autistic and neurodivergent employment; increase access to the arts, community events and festivals; and bring the Autistic and neurodivergent communities together to improve quality of life for Autistic and neurodivergent Australians, particularly in regional areas.
Neurokin Arts Festival, Australia’s first neurodiversity arts festival (first run as Sensory Sanctuary in Castlemaine, VIC in June 2023), showcases and celebrates the talents and creativity of neurodivergent people whilst fostering neurodivergent community, culture and leadership.
In June 2025, the hybrid festival will happen both locally in Central Victoria (Castlemaine & Bendigo) as well as online. It is essential that with the high numbers of LGBTQIA+ members of the Neurodivergent community, that ARCANE include LGBTQIA+ artists and stories amongst those that are platformed at the festival. This funding will support the payment of 2 LGBTQIA+ neurodivergent artists to present at Neurokin Arts Festival.
