Lifting the capacity of learning disabled people to influence change
Nourishing Spaces
We seek playful, brave and meaningful ways of being together that nurture a sense of belonging
Sensory Beings
We recognise our place within nature and our responsibility for its care
True Collaboration
We’re curious about contributions in all forms, providing equitable support and developing agency
Our latest project
The Commons is a co-designed community garden space at Midland Metropolitan University Hospital.
The installation is full of creations from the local community including mosaics, flags and colourfully painted stones.
We warmly invite you to explore The Commons, a space to rest, play and connect with nature.
Spectra is grateful for the funding from Severn Trent Community Trust and our partners Your City and Metropolitan Hospitals Charity, core funding from Arts Council England, and support from Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust to make The Commons possible.
News & Updates
Spectra is seeking Board Members
We are seeking new board members to offer strategic guidance and expertise to ensure Spectra achieves its aims and community purpose. We are looking for someone with: Please send us an email that tells us why you’re interested in joining the Board and what skills and/or experience you would offer. This only needs to be…
Paid Opportunity for Learning Disabled and Autistic Artists
We are expanding our shadowing artist programme! This opportunity is for West Midlands-based learning disabled and autistic creatives who would like to develop their leadership skills and gain more experience in running creative workshops. Deadline for applications: 9 am, Monday 23rd February 2026 If you need this information in a different format or would like…
Shadowing and Letting Creativity Bloom
In this blog, Ray, who is a Shadow Artist with Spectra, writes about: Words by Ray VMFeatured image by Tod Jones My name is Ray VM. I am a freelance artist based in Birmingham. This includes but is not limited to poetry, performance, workshop facilitation, life modelling and papermaking. One day, I was noodling around…