Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Our vision is to create a welcoming and inspiring environment where diverse perspectives thrive, allowing everyone who interacts with Somerset House to feel valued and included.
Somerset House is the home of cultural innovators, made up of our staff, residents, artists, visitors and collaborators, and built on a foundation of creativity, inclusion, and belonging.
At Somerset House, we are dedicated to fostering an equitable environment through our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB). We are also committed to interrogating the systems and cultures we have inherited, to identify, and address exclusionary attitudes, behaviours, systems, and processes.
This means creating a consistently inclusive Somerset House experience that benefits everyone, while remaining grounded in equity, representation, and belonging. We believe that this is not just about supporting underrepresented groups but making sure that everyone plays an active role in shaping and maintaining a thriving and welcoming culture, where all voices are heard and valued.
Who We Are & Who We Welcome
At Somerset House, we celebrate the broad diversity of people that make up our dynamic community, including:
- Our People:
The staff who help bring the energy, creativity and everyday operations of Somerset House to life.
- Our Creative Community:
The artists, makers, creatives and organisations based at Somerset House.
- Our Visitors & Audiences:
Everyone who comes to experience our events, exhibitions, and public spaces.
- Our Partners & Collaborators:
The organisations and individuals we work with to push cultural boundaries.
- Young Creatives:
Aspiring young people engaged in our Inclusive Talent Engagement programmes, including Upgrade Yourself, who contribute to and shape the future of the creative sector.
Together we nurture a culture of openness, and respect, where everyone feels welcome and valued as part of the Somerset House community.
Our Commitments: What are We Doing to Create an Inclusive & Engaging Experience?
We are on a journey. While we’ve made progress, this work is ongoing, and we know we’re not there yet. These commitments represent the steps we are actively taking, and continuing to evolve, to embed inclusion, equity, diversity and belonging into the heart of the Somerset House experience. We are committed to embedding inclusion and belonging into everything we do through three key pillars.
People & Culture
We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the rich diversity of society.
We are actively working to improve our recruitment and development processes to ensure they create more equitable opportunities for all, recognising there is still much more to do and committing to ongoing progress.
We offer a range of opportunities, including permanent staff roles, freelance engagements, and Upgrade Yourself: our Creative Industrial Placements programme for young people entering the creative industries for the first time.
Explore current opportunities on our Careers Site.
Equity and justice are not just about policy, they need consistent action. They are a shared responsibility that all our people contribute to through their everyday interactions, behaviours and decisions.
We support staff-led Inclusion Groups, including our Anti-racism Task Force and Access Action Group, which provide space for colleagues to connect, advocate, and contribute to a more equitable and inclusive workplace.
Place
We are committed to ensuring that all of Somerset House’s spaces – both physical and digital – are welcoming, and inclusive. While we acknowledge that some parts of our historic site present accessibility challenges, we are actively working to improve access wherever possible and to support everyone in navigating and enjoying our spaces.
Our Safer Spaces Policy sets the expectation that everyone who interacts with Somerset House in any capacity respects and upholds an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and harmful behaviours.
This policy provides clear guidance on acceptable behaviour, how concerns can be raised and addressed, and the actions we take to maintain a positive, safe, and inclusive atmosphere for all.
We actively review and improve our accessibility measures, so our buildings, digital platforms, and programming meet the diverse needs of our community.
Programming
We curate and deliver thought-provoking exhibitions, commissions, performances, and inclusive talent programming that address and engage a wide range of audiences
Our public programmes are designed to foster a deeper level of dialogue, creativity, and cultural exploration, questioning as much as celebrating
We regularly collaborate with under-represented artists, curators, and cultural partners to create an inclusive and dynamic programme around lived experiences
We work with international creatives, including those from the global south, to provide broad global perspectives and to help decolonise our building’s history
By prioritising accessibility and representation in our programming, we build cultural initiatives that resonate with diverse communities
Our Role in Building a More Diverse Creative Sector
At Somerset House, we are committed to building a creative sector that truly reflects the diversity of our society. Our Talent Pathways work is designed to identify and break down barriers to access, while opening up career pathways for aspiring creatives who are often underrepresented in the cultural and creative industries.
Our flagship programme, Upgrade Yourself, provides young people aged 16-30 with the opportunity to explore and develop their creative potential. From immersive workshops to practical career support and direct access to role models in the sector, each strand of the programme builds confidence and opens doors into creative work.
Key initiatives include:
- Upgrade Yourself Festival: Our annual creative career festival each June brings together emerging talent with industry leaders from across the Somerset House community for mentoring, talks, CV clinics, and more.
- Upgrade Yourself Takeovers: Informal, after-hours exhibition-based events providing young creatives with access to art, conversations, and career insights from artists and curators.
- Creative Industry Placements: Paid, year-long opportunities for 18-24-year-olds from underrepresented backgrounds to work across two creative organisations, supported by training and mentorship.
- Future Artist Programme: Week-long, artist-led workshops during school holidays, offering 16-19-year-olds hands-on experience with Somerset House Studios creatives.
We also collaborate with community groups and cultural partners to reach a broader range of participants and make sure our programmes and audiences better reflect society. If you’re interested in working with us, please get in touch.
To learn more or get involved, email engagement@somersethouse.org.uk or sign up to our Inclusive Talent Engagement newsletter.