Summertime champions an art world where artists with and without intellectual disabilities create and display work alongside one another. We strive to revolutionize the art world by breaking down the barriers that have made “outsiders” out of artists with disabilities.

Founded in May of 2019, Summertime is a nonprofit 501c3 Art Studio, Gallery and Residency Program located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Summertime connects neurodiverse artists with the people and world around them, providing a platform to tell their stories, show their work and make money. The studio provides the space and freedom to create, materials and mentorship whereas Summertime’s gallery offers an opportunity for exhibition and promotion. 

Values

1. Artists Come First: At Summertime, artists always come first. Artists drive agency direction, decision making, art sales and day to day choices.

2. Connection: Summertime believes art is a universal language and a conduit for building community. We are a gathering place and creative hub for all artists, art enthusiasts and everyone in between.

3. At the Same Table: Summertime values a diverse and inclusive community. Summertime strives to provide power and access to places and spaces often reaching only a select few. 

4. Yes First: Summertimes believes in starting from a place of openness and optimism, a belief that anything is possible. We want to open doors, not close them. 

5. Joy: Warmth and fun are imperative in life and in the work we do. Summertime runs with artists’ passions - embracing positivity, possibility, and experimentation. 

6. Respect: Summertime honors the artists we work with by treating each project, exhibition, and event with consideration and appreciation. 

A Note About Language

Our mission strives to one day eliminate the necessity for labels such as “artists with intellectual disabilities” or “neurodiverse artists” and rather refer to everyone exactly as they are — artists. This will be evidence that we’ve done the work we’ve set out to do! But for now, we use language such as neurodiversity, intellectual and developmental disabilities (e.g. autism, Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, etc.) to ensure that our mission is clear to everyone.