Future Artists Programme
A 6-month creative learning and artist development opportunity for aspiring young artists ages 18-25.
Application Opens: Mon 5 Jan 2026 Application Close: Sun 25 Jan 2026
| Dates | Wednesdays, fortnightly from Feb – Jul 2026 |
| Times | 6.30–9pm |
| Space | Somerset House |
| Price | Free |
Overview
The Future Artists Programme is a six-month creative learning journey supporting the next generation of creative innovators. This unique development programme, co-designed by a group of Somerset House Studios artists from different disciplines, is aimed at aspiring young artists curious to explore and experiment with interdisciplinary practice. Future Artist Programme combines artist-led workshops and exploration of the wider artistic landscape, with immersion in Somerset House’s vibrant creative community.
This programme is designed for those:
- Who want to get closer to their artistic voice and explore new and different possibilities
- Who are interested in experimenting with different styles, mediums and forms
- Who want the time to gather, make and creatively reflect.
Why this programme?
Somerset House as home to over 70 groundbreaking resident artists, is uniquely able to offer a sustained, multi-disciplinary creative exploration for future artists. Through this programme, you can learn directly from artists shaping the future of culture today. Working hands-on in a supportive, artist-led environment, you are encouraged to take creative risks and experiment through shared practice.
Beyond the fortnightly sessions, you will take part in guided fieldwork that connects you and fellow Future Artists with London’s cultural landscape through curated exhibition visits, digital resources, and encounters with practicing artists.
As a bonus, you will have free access to Somerset House’s year-round cultural programme, helping you expand your artistic perspective and feel part of a wider creative community.
Through fortnightly evening sessions and independent fieldwork, Future Artists will:
- Develop artistic confidence and critical skills through hands-on experimentation.
- Build networks with Somerset House artists and peers.
- Access free tickets to exhibitions, festivals, and events that expand creative horizons.
- Receive guidance on portfolios, sign posting to additional pathways, and progression routes into residencies or bursaries.
Key dates and Times
Please note, it is important that you can commit to attending all sessions dates and timing below.
Timings: 18:30 – 21:00
Key Session dates:
Session 1 - 25th February
Session 2 - 11th March
Session 3 - 25th March
Session 4 - 8th April
Session 5 - 22nd April
Session 6 - 6th May
Session 7 - 20th May
Session 8 - 3rd June
Session 9 - 17th June
Session 10 - 1st July
Session 11 - 15th July
Session 12 - 29th July
You must be able to travel to Somerset House in Central London bi-weekly. Please look at the ‘what does attendance cost’ tab below for details about travel expenses.
Who can apply?
This programme is designed for those who want to develop and nurture their creative practice and are ready to demonstrate real potential. It is open to those who have interest in contributing to creative discussions and working collaboratively, who have a desire to experiment with a range of artistic disciplines and see how it expands creative process.
We don’t ask for any prior experience, but when applying, it’s important that you can demonstrate an interest in and a commitment to learning from a creative community and developing skills in an interdisciplinary practice.
This programme will prioritise people from underrepresented backgrounds*. If you are unsure if this applies to you, please read the ‘Our Priority Groups’ guidance below.
Why should I apply?
The programme will encourage curiosity, inviting you to develop new ways of thinking, and amplify your unique artistic voice.
If you’re unsure if this programme is for you, ask yourself these questions:
- Am I creative and want to expand my practice?
- do I enjoy collaboration, experimentation and creating work with others?
- am I interested in developing and nurturing my creative practice?
- would I like to pursue a creative career in the future and not know where to begin?
- Would you like to learn from practicing artists and be inspired by exhibitions, performances, events and workshops within Somerset House and across London?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, it’s likely that this is the programme for you – we'd encourage you to apply!
If you answered no to all questions, it’s unlikely that you’d benefit the most from this programme.
What will I be doing on the Programme?
Sessions 1–3: Finding Your Artistic Voice
Focus: Explore identity, lived experience, inspiration; guided by Studio Artists whose practice is rooted in personal narrative.
Sessions 4–8: Exploring style, form and medium
Focus: Introducing a new artistic discipline or medium. Participants will work closely with Studio Artists to experiment with materials, methods, and collaborative approaches in a supportive space.
Sessions 9-10: Nurturing your practice
Focus: Exploring ways to strengthen your professional skills. For example, building a portfolio, public speaking, bio writing, networking, grants and fundraising.
Session 11: Creative Reflection
Focus: Taking the time to do reflective documentation through peer reviews and collaborative feedback sessions and roundtable discussions.
Session 12: Showcase and next steps
Focus: Group exhibition/performance open to families, community, and sector partners. As well as goal setting and pathway planning for continued engagement and practice.
What does attendance cost?
The sessions are free of charge. These are the ways that we can support your travel to and from Somerset House:
- Reimburse travel for up £10 per session
- Help you to plan your journey to and from Somerset House
Application form
To apply for this opportunity, please submit an application via this form:
We are happy to accept applications in a format that suits you. If you would prefer to submit your application as a video (max. 5 minutes) or voice note (max. 5 minutes), please submit your recording to engagement@somersethouse.org.uk with the description ‘Future Artist Programme Application’ in the subject line'
Click here to sign up to our Online Information Session on Wednesday 14 January.
If you'd prefer to submit an application as a Microsoft Word document
Our Priority Groups
*The Inclusive Talent Engagement team at Somerset House acknowledges that particular communities are underrepresented in the creative sector. Particularly those who identify as:
- 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 conditions or impairment.
- Affected by homelessness.
- Care-leaver/carer.
- Unemployed and/or have received welfare benefits.
- Migrant or refugee status
Fair access to working in the arts remains one of the most urgent issues facing the sector today, with those from lower socio-economic backgrounds still vastly underrepresented amongst the artists and employees of UK theatres, festivals, galleries and arts organisations of all kinds.
Our team has drawn from Jerwood Arts’ ‘Socio-economic Diversity and Inclusion in the Arts A Toolkit for Employers’ to define how to determine who falls into this category. We acknowledge this needs work and often, things aren’t always black and white, for now this is the framework we are using to determine this;
Some questions that might help define lower socio-economic background:
- Type of school attended at age 11-16
- Were you eligible for Free School Meals (FSM)
- Did your parents go to university?
- Parents occupation when you were aged 14
- Did your parents receive income benefits for a long period?
- Were your parents unemployed either for long periods of time or intermittently?
Access
The Future Artists Programme will take place in rooms in the New Wing at Somerset House. The spaces will be on the ground floor and accessible to wheelchair users. Full details about accessibility at Somerset House are here.
If you require additional access support to take part in this programme, please let us know in your application.
What is Upgrade Yourself?
Upgrade Yourself is Somerset House's creative skills programme aimed at deepening and widening engagement. Managed by the Inclusive Talent Engagement team, the Upgrade Yourself programme exists to break down barriers and build confidence for underrepresented, aspiring creatives aged 16-30.
Using the creative community at Somerset House and beyond as a resource, our programmes provide emerging talent access to skills, experiences and progression routes to pursue careers in the creative sector.