Somerset House

During our 25th birthday year, we’re proud to announce: Somerset House has risen two places to become the 8th most-visited attraction in London, according to new figures from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA). In 2024, over 3 million people visited Somerset House drawn by our bold, inclusive, and ever-evolving cultural programme. As our Deputy Director Diana Spiegelberg puts it:   “This achievement is a testament to the incredible creatives and dedicated teams at Somerset House. London remains a global hub for creativity, and as we celebrate our 25th year, we are excited to continue to welcome audiences to our diverse range of programming that places us at the heart of the city’s cultural scene.”   We couldn’t have achieved this without the extraordinary support of our visitors, creative collaborators, and partners. Thank you for helping us grow, push boundaries, and reimagine what a cultural space can be.   Step Inside, Think Outside.

Since opening, SOIL: The World at Our Feet has sparked incredible conversations and deep reflections on the power beneath our feet. We are profoundly grateful to the visionary artists, curators, researchers, and collaborators whose insights, creativity, and expertise have brought this exhibition to life. A huge thank you as well to our dedicated team, partners, and everyone behind the scenes who have worked tirelessly to make this exhibition a reality. And to our visitors—your engagement, curiosity, and conversations have been truly inspiring.   We are grateful to MARS for supporting our In Focus Zones – a space, curated by The Land Gardeners, including new films by Joya Berrow, where voices of scientists and other experts, give further clarity on key concepts of what visitors see within the exhibition   “We hope this exhibition will highlight the essential role of soil in climate resilience and spotlight our shared vision to promote innovative and creative solutions to one of the biggest issues of our time.” Ikdeep Singh SOIL invites us to reconsider the role of soil in the health of our planet—delivering a message of hope and urgency. The time to act is now.   Images: © Anne Tetzlaff

A truly inspiring gathering of creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation! The Black Business Residency (BBR) Showcase brought together our fifth cohort of talented, Black-led businesses at Somerset House, celebrating their achievements and growth throughout the programme. Over the course of their residency, these 26 businesses have refined their visions, expanded their networks, and developed their brands with the support of expert mentorship, workshops, and a dynamic creative community. The showcase was a chance to spotlight their accomplishments through engaging presentations, insightful discussions, and valuable networking opportunities. A huge congratulations to all our BBR entrepreneurs: Black Heroes Foundation, Black Mind , Compare Ethics,  Dark Yellow Dot, FLO London , Forty-Four Words (Amanda Boachie), Free Form World (Nate Agbetu), Goat Film Club (Ebele Tate), Kahan (Felix Y Ochefu 🌍), Kanaiza (Vanessa Kanaiza Onalo), Migrant's Bureau, NAITRAM, 9bills (Nelson Adeoti), Nourishment , Origin Digital (Jamie Wallace), School Of Bop,  Thinking Black ,  Trib3 Events (@rjones91), Umutoni , WE ARE SOUL, WE REP TALENT, Yewande 103 Limited A heartfelt thank you to Morgan Stanley for their continued support in making this programme possible. Here’s to the next chapter of these inspiring businesses – and to building a stronger, more diverse creative industry!   Step Inside, Think Outside.

Thank you for joining us for the Somerset House Community Photocall! We were delighted to see so many familiar faces—each of you (and many more) have played a part in transforming Somerset House into The Home of Cultural Innovators. Gathered in the iconic Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, with Salt Cosmologies by Hylozoic/Desires (Himali Singh Soin and David Soin Tappeser) as our stunning backdrop, we couldn’t have asked for a more fitting setting to celebrate 25 years of creativity, innovation and community. Thank you for being part of this special milestone. Here’s to the next 25 years of social and artistic innovation at Somerset House! Thank you to The Future Plate for a delicious breakfast and Exchange bar and DASH Water for refreshments.

At Somerset House, we’re proud to be home to a vibrant community of cultural innovators—including creative enterprises, arts organizations, freelancers, artists, and makers—where bold ideas take shape and thrive. Looking for a space to grow your business or creative practice? Whether you need a dedicated office, coworking at Somerset House Exchange, or hands-on maker spaces at Makerversity, our dynamic environment is designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Could this be the home for your next big project? Join a network of trailblazing creatives and make Somerset House your home. 🔗 Discover more: https://lnkd.in/dDJM93VA Step Inside, Think Outside.

London Design Biennale (London Design Biennale ) returns to Somerset House from 5–29 June 2025, bringing together pioneering designers, researchers, and thought leaders from around the world. Over three weeks, global exhibitors will present boundary-pushing innovations that reimagine our future.   Set by Artistic Director Dr. Samuel Ross MBE (Samuel Ross MBE), this year’s theme, ‘Surface Reflections’, explores how personal histories and external influences shape creativity and design.   Through immersive installations, talks, performances, and workshops, London Design Biennale is a space where ideas are not just seen but felt, challenged, and reimagined.   Early bird tickets are available now—sign up to the London Design Biennale mailing list to unlock the offer: https://lnkd.in/eh2Hbsm4   Step Inside, Think Outside.

As the home of cultural innovators, Somerset House is a site of origination, with a cultural programme offering alternative perspectives on the biggest issues of our time.    This year, we celebrate our 25th birthday, marking our extraordinary transformation to one of London’s best loved cultural spaces and home to one of the largest creative communities in the UK. We are a place of joy and discovery, where everyone is invited to Step Inside and Think Outside.   We invite you to join us in celebrating 25 years of creativity, collaboration, and cultural impact.   Click to read the full programme for the year ahead https://lnkd.in/dT9KCkgF

"This is how to run a cultural powerhouse — without a penny from the taxpayer." – The Times   For 25 years, Somerset House has thrived as a self-funded cultural powerhouse—supporting artists, nurturing creativity, and hosting bold, thought-provoking exhibitions, all without relying on public subsidy. Through a unique approach that balances commercial partnerships with accessible opportunities for emerging creatives, we've built a model that champions innovation and inclusivity in the arts.   From affordable studio spaces that empower the next generation of artists to groundbreaking exhibitions, our commitment to cultural impact continues to grow.   Read more in The Times about how Somerset House has redefined what it means to be a cultural institution in London: http://bit.ly/4arxrUR

Deadline extended! Get your applications in by 14 January: https://lnkd.in/dWdaXKtJ.

Applications for The Future Artists Programme are open - we're looking for aspiring creatives from underrepresented backgrounds, aged 16-19 to join us for 5-day of immersive workshops for free. Led by Somerset House Studios resident Leila Dear, The programme invites participants to explore the connections between microcosm and macrocosm through collaborative activities, and self-guided work. Please share! This project will encourage curiosity, inviting participants to develop new ways of thinking, and amplify their unique artistic voice. ⁠ To apply: https://lnkd.in/eTAaMPN6