Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Exhibition Celebrates Artists with Learning Disabilities and Autism
Midland Mencap’s Community Hub, based at Weoley Castle Community Centre, is celebrating a major milestone in its ten-year partnership with Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG) by showcasing an inspiring new exhibition this September created by adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.
The exhibition, on display at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery until 30th September, highlights the power of creativity and inclusion through self-portraits, neurographic art, storytelling, poetry, and digital works. Inspired by the museum’s Made in Birmingham exhibition, members of the Community Hub explored their self-identity and place within the city.
This project is the result of true co-production, with members shaping the design and delivery of activities alongside artists and heritage partners. Collaborations with Unravelled Mind Studio and The Curious Project provided further opportunities for members to share their stories and talents.
Paul Jones, Senior Operations Manager for Community Services at Midland Mencap, said:
“This exhibition is about voice, visibility, and belonging. For too long, people with learning disabilities and autism have been excluded from cultural spaces. Here we proudly celebrate their creativity, talent, and vital place in Birmingham’s cultural life.”
Andrea Bonnell, Participation Manager, Birmingham Museums Trust, said:
“We’re so pleased to be able to host this exhibition at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery as part of our partnership with Midland Mencap”
“It’s a celebration of creativity, community and the stories that connect us and we are delighted to be able to share it with our visitors.”
“Our community display space only exists because of conversations had with groups like Midland Mencap and for this we are really grateful.”
The exhibition reflects Midland Mencap’s long-term commitment to ensuring that adults with learning disabilities and/or autism can access meaningful opportunities for self-expression, community connection, and cultural participation.
Exhibition Details:
Venue: Industrial Gallery, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3DH. Part of the Made in Birmingham exhibition.
Dates: Open now until 30th September
Admission: Free
About Midland Mencap
Midland Mencap is a leading charity in the West Midlands, supporting people with learning disabilities, their families and Carers to live happy, independent, and fulfilled lives through community activities, housing, care, and support services.
More information on Midland Mencap: www.midlandmencap.org.uk
About Birmingham Museums Trust
Birmingham Museums Trust is an independent charitable trust (no 1147014) formed in 2012 to care for over one million objects and nine museums. We share the city’s diverse collections, stories and spaces with the people of Birmingham and beyond thanks to regular funding from Birmingham City Council and Arts Council England, as well as the kind support of many individuals, companies and charitable trusts.
More information on Birmingham Museums Trust can be found at https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/about.
About The Curious Project
Henry Liggins runs The Curious Project, a social enterprise operating in and around Birmingham. Through it, he delivers several programmes, all of which use music and the creative arts to help people engage with creativity in an intentional way. Henry has worked in collaboration with Midland Mencap since 2021, delivering projects around poetry, visual arts, music performance and songwriting among other things.
More information on The Curious Project: www.thecuriousproject.co.uk
About Unravelled Mind Studio
Founded by local Birmingham Artist Charlotte Marler, Unravelled Mind Studio is a Birmingham based creative practice focused on blending mental health and art. We deliver therapeutic workshops that support emotional expression and wellbeing through activities. In partnership with Midland Mencap, we’ve developed inclusive, artist-led sessions that support individuals with learning disabilities to explore self-expression, develop confidence, and create work for this public exhibition.
More information on Unravelled Mind Studio: https://unravelledmindstudio.co.uk/