Spectra is seeking an artist to tell the story of The Commons – a new community garden space at Midland Metropolitan University Hospital

We are a fierce and joyful, learning disability centred, multi-arts organisation.

Founded on the idea of radical inclusion, we have developed a reputation for aesthetically driven, gently provocative performances, installations and workshops that engage all of our audiences’ senses.

Our mission is to lift learning disabled people’s capacity to influence change in their own lives and the world around them. We believe that our world and our communities are improved when everybody has the opportunity to contribute.

Our methods of working are co-creative and collaborative – delivering impactful projects that showcase the skills and creativity of neurodivergent and learning disabled artists. Everything we do is shaped by the people we work with.

Since 2013, we have delivered 575+ co-creation sessions/workshops and performed for over 11,000 people. We have produced 12 performances, from large-scale events to street festivals, a touring show, digital performances, a symposium and built 3 co-designed community gardens.

Supported since our founding by Arts Council England, we joined their National Portfolio in 2023. Our work is currently supported by partners, including National Lottery Reaching Communities

Spectra is seeking an artist to tell the story of The Commons, a community gathering space on the site of the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, in Smethwick. 

The Commons is a co-designed space, convening the ideas and inspirations from Spectra, their partners, and a wide range of community groups, including learning disability support centres, refugee and asylum seeker support organisations, a paediatric ward, community hubs, libraries and museums. Spectra built the space in Autumn 2024 and has been artist in residence since Spring 2025, working both in the garden, inside the hospital, and on outreach work in community venues nearby. For more information, take a look at our website.

We are seeking an artist who will work with the local community to collect stories about gardening, growing and nature, which will result in a creative output which will live on in the garden after the project finishes. We would like the storyteller to reflect the work occurring in the garden, particularly around the current development of the Apothecary Garden and the work being done to heal the soil in this post-industrial site.

We are really open to ideas and inspiration from applicants regarding the creative output of the stories they gather. Perhaps you are a poet, and propose running workshops in the garden space, which leads to beautifully designed metal plaques displaying the co-written pieces. Or you’re a musician working to develop a song through creative engagements on the wards, which future visitors can listen to through a QR code they find in the garden. Or you’re a map maker who wants to make a guide for moving through space and engaging the senses as you go. Or perhaps you’re offering something entirely different!

We are looking for someone who will engage with the current programme of activity occurring in the garden by liaising with and being supported by the artist in residence and the gardeners in the space.

The storyteller role includes:

• Managing media consent in partnership with Spectra in public spaces and when working in communities, and ensuring that all consent is informed.
• Working alongside the artist in residence and engaging with the program of activity occurring in the garden.
• Engaging with the gardening team to understand the work occurring in the Apothecary Bed.
• Planning and delivering workshops in the garden space.
• Designing and liaising with fabricators to create a physical outcome for the Commons space.
• Creatively documenting the development of the Apothecary Garden in The Commons and the community’s reactions to it. 

We envision a start date in April 2026 with workshops and research occurring between then and September, with production and fabrication occurring from October to February 2027, and installation and unveiling in March 2027.

This timeline is flexible, and a shorter, more intense period of work with installation completed earlier is possible.

£4200 – minimum 14 days including community engagement, delivery, designing, producing, installation, meetings, and planning.
£800 – materials and fabrication cost

We seek to support access costs where possible. Please don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss further.

If you think this job looks great but you’re a bit cautious about putting yourself forward, please get in touch with Maisy Neale (maisy@wearespectra.co.uk) for an informal chat. We’re very happy to talk through the role, to find different ways of communicating this job description, and to explore how different kinds of experience could contribute to fulfilling this role well.

We eagerly encourage applications from people who are from marginalised or minoritised backgrounds. Our welcome extends beyond the recruitment process; we are committed to creating a working space that is safe and caring for all.

If you need or would prefer this job description or the application form below in another format, please don’t hesitate to contact maisy@wearespectra.co.uk to chat through how we can best open this opportunity to you.

An application form is available here:

When you submit your expression of interest, please also complete the equal opportunities questions. These answers and your personal information will be kept separate from your application when it is reviewed by the panel.

Application questions

• What interests you about Spectra, and this particular project?
• What relevant experience do you have that will help you in this role?
• What techniques/medium would you use to collect and record stories? 
• What form of physical storytelling art piece do you think would suit this space? You do not need to have a fully realised proposal, just some ideas or routes that you would take.
• How would you approach putting a wide variety of people with different communication styles at ease?

DEADLINE: 9am Tuesday 17th March 2026

SHORTLISTING DECISION: Thursday 19th March 2026

INTERVIEWS: in person in Smethwick or via Zoom on 23rd – 26th March 2026. If you are shortlisted, we will send you the interview questions and information about the panel in advance. We will also ask if any adjustments are needed to make the interview accessible for you.