Experience how creativity changes the way you feel.
Art × Science × Technology × Wellbeing
youCAN is where immersive art, applied research and everyday curiosity meet, a space to pause, create and connect.
To use art, science and technology to nurture creativity, connection and wellbeing.
Feel what creativity can do
youCAN Centre for Applied Neuroaesthetics creates experiences informed by how the brain responds to art - putting neuroaesthetics into practice.
It's somewhere to step inside an experience, get creative, browse work by local makers, or simply sit in calm for a while.
Everything we make sits at the intersection of art, science, technology and wellbeing, built for everyone to belong.
So, what is neuroaesthetics?
Neuroaesthetics is the study of how art and beauty affect the brain and body: what happens when we pause in front of something we find beautiful, moving or unexpected.
Applied neuroaesthetics takes that research out of the lab. It shapes how light, colour, sound, scent and materials come together in a room, so people can feel the effect, not just read about it.
Research in this field suggests that engaging with art can shift mood, ease stress responses and support a felt sense of connection with the people around us.*Research-informed, not a guarantee of individual outcomes.
Look, make, or take a treasure home
Every visit to youCAN can look a little different: boost your wellbeing, explore your creativity, connect with community, learn a new skill, or take something home. Move between the three at your own pace.
Coming Soon
youCAN Experience
Immersive art, sensory and wellbeing experiences designed to encourage connection, presence and curiosity.
- Rotating light, projection and sculptural installations
- Immersed in art, scent and sound together
- Designed with neuroaesthetic research in mind
Coming Soon
youCAN Create
Creative workshops and participatory experiences that help people explore creativity, connect with others and learn something new.
- Drop-in and booked workshops
- Community collaborative artworks
- Sessions for kids, beginners and groups
Coming Soon
youCAN Shop
A curated collection of art, wellbeing pieces and meaningful gifts, supporting local makers and emerging artists.
- Work from local and emerging artists
- Thoughtful, story-led gifting
- Corporate and personal hampers
What's on
Our first season is currently being shaped with artists and collaborators. Here's a taste of the kind of program you can expect, details are proposed and will be confirmed closer to launch.
Immersive light & sound evenings
Rotating projection, immersive sculpture and live performance, including proposed sessions built around live music, scent and light.
Community workshops
Drop-in colouring stations, a collaborative ongoing artwork, and seasonal workshops from mending and swapping to bauble-making.
Conversations & gatherings
Proposed talks and gatherings exploring art, technology and connection, alongside sound healing and beginner movement classes.
Creative wellbeing sessions
Facilitated creative expression and art therapy-informed workshops, run with community practitioners.
Local makers & gifting pop-ups
A curated retail moment featuring emerging artists, with seasonal corporate and personal gifting hampers.
Seasonal reflections
Gatherings built around pause and reflection, including an intention-setting session to close out the year.
Made with a community of practitioners
youCAN's program is shaped together with artists, musicians and facilitators working across light, technology, science, sound and multisensory practice.
Projection & light artists
A rotating program of projection, multisensory and light-based artworks made for shared spaces.
Dance & performance artists
Movement, performance and moving-image work, including beginner classes.
Sculptural & installation artists
Large-scale, immersive works exploring growth, suspension and materiality.
Creative expression & art therapy partners
Facilitated workshops supporting expression and wellbeing through creative practice, run with community practitioners, some of whom are practising artists themselves.
Live musicians
Live musical performance woven into immersive, multisensory settings.
Community connection collectives
Groups bringing people together for connection, creativity and shared growth.
Meet Jade
Jade Armstrong, Founder & Creative DirectorI believe art can break the trance of modern life. Because I once chased a life that wasn't mine, now through youCAN we create experiences that invite stillness, curiosity, and connection - so others can live with intention, not by default.
Jade Armstrong is an immersive sculptor and creative technologist whose practice explores how art can influence presence, connection and human experience through light art, sound, scent, materiality and participation.
Before becoming an artist, Jade managed Australia-wide activations, events and marketing for corporate, hospitality and retail clients and leading consumer brands. Her passion for community building grew during three years as President of a UK business club, running weekly events and bringing people together.
Through youCAN, Jade brings together her experience in immersive art, creative technology and community programming to explore what's possible at the intersection of art, science, technology and wellbeing.
Let's create
something remarkable
together
youCAN partners with a small number of artists, venues and organisations each season. Find the closest match below, then use the form to get in touch, we'll route it straight to the right conversation.
Artists & performers
We commission and program artists working in light, sound, movement and multisensory art.
Get in touch →Venues & property partners
We activate spaces on behalf of property, cultural and community landlords.
Get in touch →Workshops for teams & groups
We run booked creative sessions for corporate teams and community groups.
Get in touch →Corporate & personal gifting
We supply hampers featuring local makers, ready for bulk or individual orders.
Get in touch →Be the first to know when we launch
Sign up to be notified as soon as the program, workshops and shop go live.
Prefer to reach out directly about a specific enquiry?
The lands on which we live, work and create are the Traditional Lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung and Bunurong/Boon Wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nations.
As artists, we are deeply grateful for the inspiration, beauty and wildlife found on Country. We acknowledge the rich and continuing history of creativity, knowledge, storytelling and care that has existed here for tens of thousands of years. Sovereignty was never ceded. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend this respect to all Traditional Custodians of the lands where we travel, exhibit, create and learn.