King's Culture exists to inspire, support and showcase new research through innovative collaborations with the cultural sector. Building on the successful ‘Arts in Society’ collaborations in 2017/18, the 2021/22 iteration aims to engage a broader range of researchers with artists at the pioneering Somerset House Studios. I look forward to seeing many exciting collaboration proposals at this critical moment for new perspectives and socially-engaged creative R+D.
Beatrice Pembroke, Executive Director for Culture at King’s College London
15 July 2021
Applications now open for the King's x Somerset House Studios R&D project
Artist-researcher teams to explore new perspectives on contemporary culture and society
A New Chapter
After successful collaborations in 2017 and 2018, King’s College London partners once again with Somerset House Studios to facilitate and support new collaborations between King’s researchers from across the Arts & Sciences faculties and the Studios’ hub of resident artists, designers and thinkers.
In this third iteration, entitled A New Chapter, the artist-researcher teams are encouraged to consider themes such as growth and the post pandemic world; activism and community; economy and currency; global/local economies; climate change; identity; health and wellbeing; migration, immigration and borders; cities, urbanism, space; healing, joy and pleasure.
Find a collaboration partner
A series of virtual events took place across June and July, featuring flash presentations from Somerset House Studios artists including Gary Zhexi Zhang, Sonya Dyer, Kristina Pulejkova, Joe Namy and Vivienne Griffin, alongside presentations from King’s researchers including Dr Anna Dubiel (King’s Business School), Professor Philip Hubbard (Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy), Dr Sarah Lewis (Department of English, Faculty of Arts & Humanities), Dr Teppei Katori (Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences) and Professor Prabha Kotiswaran (The Dickson Poon School of Law).
The events showcased the diverse range of research taking place across King’s Arts & Sciences faculties and provided an opportunity for academics and artists to learn about each other’s work and connect.
Facilitated by King’s Culture and Somerset House Studios, artists and researchers will have the opportunity to join conversations and further develop project proposals over the summer.
Researchers from the Arts & Sciences faculties who are interested in connecting with artists to develop a proposal for this funding scheme can contact Laura L’Aimable, Cultural Engagement Manager (Research & Education) or fill out the expression of interest form.
It was wonderful to see how fellow academics think in artistic ways and to witness the breadth of work that Somerset House resident artists are engaged in.
Srilata Sircar, PhD, Lecturer in India and Global Affairs King’s India Institute
Funding & applications
Funding of up to £5,000 is available for collaborative projects between artists and researchers, running from November 2021 to March 2022. Project teams must include a Somerset House Studios artist and a researcher from one of King’s Arts & Sciences faculties. Applications from Early Career Researchers are particularly welcomed.
Applications are open until Sunday 26th September. It is anticipated that up to five new collaborations will be supported, with awards of up to £5,000 per project. Projects should run between November and March 2022, with a showcase of outcomes to invited arts industry representatives and academics in April 2022.
This research and development programme aims to explore, develop and test new ideas. Collaborative projects are not expected to produce final works for extended public engagement at this stage.
Applications are now open
- For information about how to apply, complete the expression of interest form.
- Find out more about the scheme.