Upgrade Yourself Festival 2025
Now in its 7th edition, Upgrade Yourself Festival is back, connecting emerging creatives ages 16 to 30 with trailblazing talent and industry experts. Join us for inspiring talks, workshops, and mentoring sessions plus music and performances! Hosted by Betty Douglas.
For 16 -30 year olds, supported with BSL interpretation
| Dates | Fri 13 & Sat 14 Jun 2025 |
| Times | Fri, 4–8.30pm Sat, 2–7pm |
| Space | Across New Wing |
| Price | Free |
Programme
Drop-in
1:1 Mentoring
Drop-in
G16
Speakers:
Nelson Adeoti
Clara Chu
Leila Dear
Zulum Elumogo
Hark1karan
Georgina Lawton
Sunil Pawar
Drop-in
CV Clinic with Represent
Drop-in
G17
Speakers:
Represent shares practical knowledge and confidence-boosting strategies to equip you with the tools for a successful and thriving career. The team can cover CVs, portfolios, and work applications and answer any questions you may have about industry recruitment practices.
Drop-in
Professional Headshot Photography
Drop-in
River Rooms
Speakers:
Level up your portfolio on the spot with fashion photographer, Kwame Dapaa
Workshop
Drop-In Zine Making: Exploring Identity, Self-Expression and Community
Workshop
River Rooms
Speakers:
Led by Fiona Quadri, an illustrative image maker whose work explores identity and race, particularly within BIPOC queer communities, this drop-in workshop offers a hands-on introduction to DIY zine-making using collage, cut-outs and conversation prompts.
Drop-in
YKWU (You can Knit With Us) by Colèchi
Drop-in
River Rooms
Speakers:
Join YKWU (You Can Knit With Us) for an exploratory hand-knitting workshop.
Explore alternative materials, using one of two innovative yarns: wool made from London-raised rare breed sheep fleece or next-gen biomaterial yarns whilst knitting a swatch.
Drop-in
What Makes You? - A Journey of Emotion and Career Reflection
Drop-in
River Rooms
Speakers:
Join Gugzay, founder of Whatmakesyou for an interactive workshop that explores the duality of human emotion, what makes us smile and what makes us sad.
Screening
Selected 15 Film Screening
Screening
The Pits
Speakers:
Selected 15 showcases a vibrant collection of new short films by some of the most exciting early-career artists working today, nominated by the shortlisted artists of the Film London Jarman Award 2024. This compelling programme, curated by videoclub and Film London Artists’ Moving Image Network (FLAMIN), tours leading arts venues across the UK.
Workshop
From Passion to Platform: Building a Music Career in the Digital Age
Workshop
G20
Speakers:
Vanessa Maria, DJ, Broadcaster at Foundation FM, and Resident Advisor host, invites you to an inspiring workshop on navigating the music industry in the digital age.In this session, learn how to use digital tools and platforms to develop your unique sound, grow your audience, and maintain authenticity in a competitive industry.
Talk
The Power of Storytelling
Talk
Main Stage
Speakers:
With over 15 years of experience in the cultural and media sectors, Sara Kärpänen, founder of Women of the Wick and Arts Programme Director at the Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland, has carved a niche for herself through the power of poetry and storytelling.
The talk will also highlight the important role of independent publishing in today’s media landscape and why elevating underrepresented voices and perspectives is more important than ever. We all have a story to tell.
Talk
In Conversation: Heather Agyepong, Lisa Anderson & Tobi Kyeremateng
Talk
Main Stage
Speakers:
Join us for a powerful and inspiring panel discussion featuring three trailblazers in the arts: Lisa Anderson, Heather Agyepong, and Tobi Kyeremateng. Hosted by cultural curator and writer Natty Kasambala, this conversation will explore the creative journeys of a curator, artist, and producer, highlighting how their distinct paths have challenged conventions and opened new possibilities in the arts.
Workshop
AMC Art Club Presents: The Art of Communication – Show Up With Impact
Workshop
G20
Speakers:
In this dynamic and practical session, acclaimed host and speaker Tope (The Sitdown UK) empowers young creatives to find their voice and communicate with clarity, confidence and authenticity.
Performance from Mica Sefia
Main Stage
Speakers:
Mica Sefia is a Liverpool-born future-soul artist whose music transcends boundaries, blending Soul, Blues and Rock. Known for her emotive voice and powerful stage presence. Her unique sound is grounded in her journey of self-expression, where music becomes an art form meant to be studied and interpreted by the listener.
Drop-in
What Makes You? - A Journey of Emotion and Career Reflection
Drop-in
Speakers:
Join Gugzay, founder of Whatmakesyou for an interactive workshop that explores the duality of human emotion, what makes us smile and what makes us sad.
Talk
1:1 Mentoring
Talk
G16
Speakers:
Jason Baron
Clara Chu
Leila Dear
Zulum Elumogo
Aoibheann Greenan
Georgina Lawton
Glade Marie
Workshop
Drop-In Zine Making: Exploring Identity, Self-Expression and Community
Workshop
River Rooms
Speakers:
Led by Fiona Quadri, an illustrative image maker whose work explores identity and race, particularly within BIPOC queer communities, this drop-in workshop offers a hands-on introduction to DIY zine-making using collage, cut-outs and conversation prompts.
Drop-in
CV Clinic with Represent
Drop-in
G17
Speakers:
Represent shares practical knowledge and confidence-boosting strategies to equip you with the tools for a successful and thriving career. The team can cover CVs, portfolios, and work applications and answer any questions you may have about industry recruitment practices.
Drop-in
YKWU (You can Knit With Us) by Colèchi
Drop-in
River Rooms
Speakers:
Join YKWU (You Can Knit With Us) for an exploratory hand-knitting workshop.
Explore alternative materials, using one of two innovative yarns: wool made from London-raised rare breed sheep fleece or next-gen biomaterial yarns whilst knitting a swatch.
Drop-in
Professional Headshot Photography
Drop-in
Speakers:
Level up your portfolio on the spot with fashion photographer, Kwame Dapaa
Screening
Selected 15 Film Screening
Screening
The Pits
Speakers:
Selected 15 showcases a vibrant collection of new short films by some of the most exciting early-career artists working today, nominated by the shortlisted artists of the Film London Jarman Award 2024. This compelling programme, curated by videoclub and Film London Artists’ Moving Image Network (FLAMIN), tours leading arts venues across the UK.
Talk
Why You Should Start Before You’re Ready
Talk
Main Stage
Speakers:
Perfection is the enemy of progress, especially in fashion. In this talk, Ella Cope shares how she built Della Yellow by launching before she felt ready, testing fast with minimal resources, and growing a brand through community, not just money.
Workshop
Good Form x Colechi present Sisters in Sustainability in conversation: Build your sustainable brand.
Workshop
G20
Speakers:
From fashion designers to disruptor eco brand founders, to creative marketeers, to researchers and environmental technologists - SIS UK is building a network of accomplished women who are not only experts in their craft - but who are dedicated to ‘passing it on’.
Drop-in
ENSPIRE Presents: Get Started in Music with Small Green Shoots
Drop-in
Main Stage
Speakers:
Dreaming of a career in music but not sure where to start? Whether you're into marketing, management, production, or performance, this is your chance to hear real stories from people who’ve launched their careers in music.
Workshop
The Art of Independence: Creating Without Compromise with Hark1karan
Workshop
G20
Speakers:
What does it mean to create on your own terms? In this intimate workshop by Hark1karan shares his journey of forging a path outside of conventional industry structures.
Talk
Selected 15 - in-conversation with the artists
Talk
Main Stage
Speakers:
Join Selected 15 artists Samara Addai and Jazmin Morris in-conversation with Larry Achiampong as they talk about the ideas behind their films, their careers as artists, and the challenges and opportunities they have encountered in their practices.
Performance from SULA
Main Stage
Speakers:
Sula is a London-based trio featuring three musicians from Tomorrow’s Warriors Emerging Artist Programme: drummer Miranda Radford, bassist Aleks Dimitrova, and pianist Kezia Abuoma.
These exciting young musicians have been mentored by Romarna Campbell, Nikki Yeoh, and Deschanel Gordon. Musically think Kris Davis, Kenny Kirkland and Jeff “Tain” Watts!
Happening All Weekend!
Soak up the vibes and make the most of your festival experience with :
- UGYS Networking Activation - Connect, collaborate, and grow your creative circle
- Live DJ Sets - Feel the energy with sets from Saffron / Mix Nights
- Free food from Wingstop - Fuel up while you explore, learn, and create
Don’t miss out - it’s all happening across the entire weekend!
Access Information
Our ambition is to make this event accessible to everyone, but we know there is work to do!
Upgrade Yourself Festival will take place in G Rooms, River Rooms and Lancaster Rooms at Somerset House (New Wing). The space is on the ground floor and accessible to wheelchair users. There is an accessible toilet close by and all toilets will be gender neutral. There will also be a quiet space available
The event will be supported through BSL Interpretation on Friday 13 June and Saturday 14 June.
If you would like more information or to request specific access support, please email: engagement@somersethouse.org.uk prior to arriving.
We are constantly working towards making our events more accessible, if you have any feedback on how we can improve. Please let us know!