✅ DYSPLA CHAT Regular Online Meetings for Neurodivergent Artists

Made to benefit the neurodivergent creative community

DYSPLA CHAT is a monthly online community of Neurodivergent Creatives who share their lived experience and creative practice; strategy, habits, and tips on how to embrace difference and flourish personally as well as professionally.

DYSPLA CHAT is produced by DYSPLA; an innovative art studio — welcoming those ready to engage in philosophical discussions about Neurodivergence and Creativity, at both a conceptual as well as a practical level.

This article will explore why and how DYSPLA are building a community of boundary-pushing, research-informed artists — all of whom are creating content that is deeply embedded in neurodivergent perspectives.

The ‘Why’ of it.

Community is crucial because we all live in a world where anyone can be anything. Hobbies can become businesses — ideas, stories - yet all ones good intentions and abundant energy, can diminish — disappear pretty quickly when ‘burnout’ and/or lack of focus kicks in…and it will kick-in. It always does.

The How of it.

DYSPLA Chat is a regular online peer-to-peer meet-up produced by DYSPLA, who have a long track record for developing, supporting, celebrating and keeping Neurodivergent Artists and Creatives accountable.

DYSPLA have always advocated that neurodivergent creatives have an advantage. Their first strapline was: “Dyslexics make better storymakers.” This gives you an indication of what to expect from the leadership.

DYSPLA Chat is run by and for neurodivergent creatives looking to begin or develop their professional practice. The Chats promise to cultivate a judgement free space and fill it with support, understanding, empathy, strategy, creativity and celebration.

This is why DYSPLA Chat exists.
To build a supportive environment and enrich the neurodivergent movement; building regular online creative peer Chats that are a continuous staple in DYSPLA’s mission and have been since 2020.

Community will help us all stay motivated, accountable, informed and relevant. It is vital we find our people, our community and our audience.
DYSPLA Founder, Lennie Varvarides

Smaller groups keep the Chats Enjoyable — not Overwhelming.

To make the Chats as accessible and relevant as possible, they take place online with a maximum of ten neurodivergent people per session. Smaller groups allow for more time and space to contribute, share and question ourselves and our practice…making DYSPLA Chat a genuine open discussion.

Regular participants confirm the these Chats have validated their lived experience and that being part of the DYSPLA Chat community has helped with strategy and self esteem.

[…] I would like to say how much I value this space, [DYSPLA CHAT] it is the only place where I feel listened to and understood without having to constantly explain myself. […] In this space, I can relax and just be me.
Leila Khan, Neurodivergent Writer & regular DYSPLA Chat participant

DYSPLA wants to remove all geographical and financial barriers that might prevent people from participating and do so by subsidising DYSPLA Chat to just £5.00 per person.

TAKE AWAY

Community — the kind built on ones tribe — embedded in the awakened consciousness of identity — housed in a political movement, is essential. It therefore community must be found and nurtured.

So HOW is DYSPLA building a community?

DYSPLA is building a community of neurodivergent creatives through their regular events as well as every art project DYSPLA has produced since 2009.

Ongoing events include DYSPLA Chat and SurgeryScript. Other current initiatives include DYSPLA’s online publication — The Museum of the Neurodivergent Aesthetic.

And WHY is DYSPLA building a community?

The Why is a longer story…
It goes back to before it was trendy to be different… Before it was fashionable… Before it was tolerated... Before anyone realized that there were parallels between lived experiences and minority identities… Before education was educated about neurodivergence…. Before business recognised the challenges as well as its benefits of neurodivergence.

DYSPLA began building this community before…back in 2009 because apparently — if you build it, they will come…

DYSPLA_Chat RECAP: