Upgrade Yourself (16–30)
Our mission is to deepen impact and widen opportunity by providing holistic career insights which empower aspiring creatives to develop transferable skills, build dynamic portfolios and forge pathways into the cultural sector. Through year-round programming, we create space for young people aged 16–30 to explore, test ideas, learn, and grow with confidence.
Support Upgrade Yourself (16-30)
Funds raised provides opportunities to young under-represented people aged 16-30 seeking to get into the creative sector.
Our Programmes
Ages 18-24
Ages 18-24
Creative Industry Placements - A one-year paid placement within Somerset House’s resident organisations. Participants gain hands-on professional insights into how creative businesses operate, including management, programming, and operations. Placements receive wraparound support, mentoring, and professional development, all paid at London Living Wage.
Creative Industry Placements
Creative Industry Placements - A one-year paid placement within Somerset House’s resident organisations. Participants gain hands-on professional insights into how creative businesses operate, including management, programming, and operations. Placements receive wraparound support, mentoring, and professional development, all paid at London Living Wage.
Ages 16-25
Ages 16-25
Immersive, practice led workshops designed and delivered by seasoned Somerset House Studios Artists. This programme offers direct access to creative practices and mentorship, empowering participants to explore their potential and develop artistic skills.
Future Artists Programme
Immersive, practice led workshops designed and delivered by seasoned Somerset House Studios Artists. This programme offers direct access to creative practices and mentorship, empowering participants to explore their potential and develop artistic skills.
Ages 16-30
Ages 16-30
A film series showcasing authentic interactions between young hosts and trailblazing creatives. These films highlight how artists sustain careers in the creative industries while offering insights into their pathways and practices.
Upgrade Yourself Digital
A film series showcasing authentic interactions between young hosts and trailblazing creatives. These films highlight how artists sustain careers in the creative industries while offering insights into their pathways and practices.
Ages 16-30
Ages 16-30
Somerset House's flagship creative careers festival, offering a multidisciplinary approach from inspiring talks, masterclasses, mentoring sessions, CV clinics, collaborative activities, to live DJs, and performances. This vibrant 2-day event equips young creatives with invaluable skills and insights to forge careers in the cultural sector.
Upgrade Yourself Festival
Somerset House's flagship creative careers festival, offering a multidisciplinary approach from inspiring talks, masterclasses, mentoring sessions, CV clinics, collaborative activities, to live DJs, and performances. This vibrant 2-day event equips young creatives with invaluable skills and insights to forge careers in the cultural sector.
Ages 18-30
Ages 18-30
Relaxed after-hours exhibition events providing free access to exhibitions alongside thematic workshops, talks, and guided tours inspired by artists' practices. Takeovers create a unique platform for emerging talent to connect with Somerset House’s cultural offerings in a relaxed and inspiring environment.
Upgrade Yourself Takeover
Relaxed after-hours exhibition events providing free access to exhibitions alongside thematic workshops, talks, and guided tours inspired by artists' practices. Takeovers create a unique platform for emerging talent to connect with Somerset House’s cultural offerings in a relaxed and inspiring environment.
Ages 18-30
Ages 18-30
Dynamic evening sessions designed for aspiring creatives, combining practical workshops, expansive talks, and networking opportunities, these sessions foster confidence, build transferable skills, and connect raw talent with seasoned expertise to unlock career pathways.
Upgrade Yourself Monthly
Dynamic evening sessions designed for aspiring creatives, combining practical workshops, expansive talks, and networking opportunities, these sessions foster confidence, build transferable skills, and connect raw talent with seasoned expertise to unlock career pathways.
Upgrade Yourself: How We Deliver Our Mission
We leverage the vibrant creative community at Somerset House as a resource to inspire, connect, and multiply opportunities for aspiring talent. By breaking down barriers and fostering confidence, we aim to diversify the future workforce of the creative industries while nurturing bold, innovative changemakers who will shape society’s cultural landscape.
We actively seek to increase diversity within the creative sector. We aim to build a more equitable workforce which better reflects society's varied backgrounds and perspectives. Therefore, our programmes prioritise individuals who have historically been excluded and therefore underrepresented in the creative industries. We are committed to supporting talent from the following priority groups:
- Ethnically diverse and/or Global Majority
- Living with a disability
- Working class and/or from a lower socio-economic background
- LGBTQIA+ and/or non-binary
We also acknowledge that people face barriers in many ways not mentioned above, including:
- Affected by a long-term health condition or impairment.
- Affected by homelessness.
- Care-leaver/carer.
- Migrant or refugee status
- Unemployed and/or have received welfare benefits.
Therefore our approach is intersectional and responsive to lived experiences of young people!