SOIL & Salt Cosmologies Upgrade Yourself Takeover
We are planting seeds this Spring with a double exhibition special!
Archived Event
| Dates | Thu 27 Mar 2025 For 18-30 year olds |
| Times | 18.00 - 22.00 |
| Space | Great Arch Hall South Wing |
| Price | Free |
Responding to the recently renovated Salt Stair which opens to the public for the first time, the last of our architectural stairs to be refurbished at Somerset House. Upgrade Yourself is taking over SOIL and Salt Cosmologies for one night only.
Join us for a FREE late event for 18-30-year-olds, where aspiring creatives will explore the themes of the SOIL and Salt Cosmologies exhibitions. Your ticket gives you exclusive after-hours access to both exhibitions, plus a jam-packed programme of workshops, talks and tours! Delve into vital topics including heritage, bio-design, sustainability, ecology, and holistic practices through a variety of multi-disciplinary activities.
Take part in workshops, talks, tours, and live musical performances which draw from artistic techniques such as bio-design, natural dyeing and block printing. This event foregrounds topics surrounding land practices, displacement, and environmental justice. This is a great opportunity to connect, learn, and discover new perspectives in a welcoming and inspiring environment! Throughout the event, there will be a live DJ, bar, food and networking in Seamen’s Hall. We'll be offering complimentary drinks from Karma Drinks, proudly certified organic by the Soil Association, along with free food from Café Petiole, a café that specialises in mostly vegan dishes!
The Programme
Please note that entry for workshops and talks will be on a first-come, first served basis. Capacity is limited. Information on how to sign up will be sent in the pre-event email.
Meet the artists & organisations
The Salt Stair restoration and associated programming has been made possible with the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.
About 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.
Accessibility
Our ambition is to make this event accessible to everyone, but we know there is work to do!
The Upgrade Yourself Takeover will take place in Great Arch Hall, Embankment Galleries, Seamen's Hall, Screening Room, Courtyard Rooms and Terrace Rooms at Somerset House (South Wing). The spaces are accessible to wheelchair users and there is an accessible toilet close by.
There will also be a quiet space, a prayer room and access packs available.
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!
Find out more about accessibility at Somerset House here.
ACCESS PACKS
For the Takeover, you'll be able to borrow Access Packs from the Visitor Experience team, these will be available at the SOIL exhibition entrance. These will contain large print guides, noise cancelling headphones and a stress ball