A new exhibition at the Mansfield Museum is celebrating the imagination and creativity of neurodivergent young people from across the district.
With a little help from innovative AI tools to bring their visions to life, ‘Neurodiverse Futures’ is a groundbreaking digital art installation created by autistic and neurodivergent young people in Mansfield, exploring their unique perspectives.
The exhibition is set to launch with a special open evening on 9 January 2026 from 6pm at the Mansfield Museum and Art Gallery’s Baily Gallery, with free admission to the public.
Cllr Stuart Richardson, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Skills at Mansfield District Council, said: “This is not an exhibition about AI; it is an exhibition about people — a collaborative artwork that celebrates being and thinking differently, exploring how digital technology and art can highlight and celebrate neurodiversity in Mansfield. It demonstrates how technology can listen to and amplify the voices, ideas, and creativity of neurodivergent young people.
“These expressions have been transformed into a looping stream of still and moving images that reflects thought, emotion, and sensory experience. It’s an extremely impressive and thought-provoking exhibition that I’m really proud to support."
Developed as part of Mansfield Museum and Mansfield Palace Theatre’s Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) funded programme, the project brings together leading partners including Nottingham Trent University (NTU), MBD (Metro Boulot Dodo), Spectrum WASP, and the Mansfield District Council Cultural Services team.
The artwork was developed over two days of hands-on workshops, where participants worked with drawing, movement, sound, spoken description, and model-building to design their creations. The young people used the AI technology alongside lecturers from Nottingham Trent University, helping to generate the content and see their ideas transformed into an immersive artwork exhibition.
Following the workshops, creative media agency Metro Boulot Dodo (MBD) has taken all the creations and shaped them into a large-scale projection at the Baily Gallery in the Mansfield Museum.
Paul Long, Creative Director at MBD, said: “At MBD we were so inspired by the collaboration with these talented young people and the wider project team. Witnessing their use of artificial intelligence to explore and express their creativity has been remarkable. The results show the potential of AI as a creative tool, and ask questions about technology's role in creating access to the future of art and creativity for all. We are incredibly proud to be part of this visionary work.”
Mason, who took part in the workshops, said: “The AI project was really amazing and fun! I enjoyed when we drew a picture and it came to life on the big screen. The iPads was the best and learning to draw on them.”
Another participant, Chloe, said: “It was very good. My favourite parts were the iPads and seeing random things about the future. I want to do more things like this.”
Bobbi, who also took part, said: “I liked drawing the butterfly wings, it was fun.”
The young people taking part in the workshop are all supported by Mansfield-based Spectrum WASP, a charity that supports parents with children and young people on the autistic spectrum with disabilities, special and additional needs.
Sue Edwards, Group Co-ordinator at Spectrum/Wasp, said: “Working with this creative partnership of NTU, MBD, Mansfield District Council and Mansfield Palace Theatre has given our children at Spectrum WASP the chance to open their minds to the new world of AI and gain a genuine glimpse into the future.
“The experience has been truly invaluable, opening up opportunities we never imagined, inspiring our young people in ways that will stay with them for years to come. We can’t wait to see the finished product and celebrate everything they’ve achieved through this incredible collaboration. It has been truly inspiring to have this opportunity to work in partnership together.”
Dr Jennifer Bell, senior lecturer in fashion marketing and branding at Nottingham Trent University, said: “Working on Neurodiverse Futures has been a privilege. Sharing our research with young neurodiverse people in Mansfield put AI technology in the hands of those with the imagination and creativity to envision a more positive, inclusive future.”
For more information on Neurodiverse Futures, visit the Mansfield Museum website here.