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
23 April 2021
King's x Somerset House Studios: A New Chapter
Artist-researcher teams to explore new perspectives on contemporary culture and society
King’s College London partners 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.
After successful collaborations in 2017 and 2018, which brought new perspectives on urgent contemporary social issues such as climate change, migration, gender, nutrition, sexual consent and the politics of black queer sound, the new round of collaborations is entitled A New Chapter.
In this third iteration 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.
The partnership was brokered and is supported by the university’s Culture team and seeks to support the research and development of innovative collaborative projects, which offer new critical perspectives on contemporary culture and society.
Since 2017, our collaboration with King’s Culture has enabled more than 20 artists and academics to work together to share learning on a wide range of important contemporary issues. Supporting research and exchange in this way, without prescribing the outcome, is vital to creative work. These collaborations have influence far beyond the scope of the scheme itself, and we’ve continued to see their impact in the work that comes out of the Studios’ community, long after the official R&D period has come to close.
Marie McPartlin, Director of Somerset House Studios
Get involved
In a kick-off event on 13 May 2021, King’s researchers and Somerset House Studios artists have the chance to find out more about the scheme, connect with each other, and hear from previous participants about their experience and projects they collaborated on.
All projects must include a lead artist from Somerset House Studios, and a lead researcher who is a member of King’s College London’s Arts & Sciences faculties and is undertaking research which will inform or be further developed by the proposed project.
King’s and Somerset House Studios will provide mechanisms across the summer months for researchers and artists to connect with each other and explore potential partnerships.
Funding of up to £5,000 is available and projects should run November 2021 – March 2022, with a showcase of outcomes to invited arts industry representatives and academics in April 2022.
