Somerset House Studios Celebrates 10 Years of Artist Support
Somerset House Studios in London has reached its 10th anniversary, continuing to provide long‑term residencies, mentorship, and experimental collaborations for artists. The program emphasizes mutual support, international outreach, and interdisciplinary projects that intersect art with science and…
By Felo News Desk · Published
In the heart of London’s Strand, Somerset House Studios has been a haven for artists for a decade. Since its launch 16 years after the former Inland Revenue offices were repurposed, the space has housed up to 70 artists, offering them not just studio rooms but a community that thrives on mentorship, experimentation, and cross‑disciplinary collaboration.
From Admiralty to Artist Hub
The building that now hosts the studios was once a grand 18th‑century administrative centre for the British Admiralty and later the Inland Revenue. When the tax department moved out in the late 1990s, the structure was transformed into an arts centre, and in 2007 Somerset House Studios opened its doors to the public. Over the years, the studios have become synonymous with London’s experimental art scene, a place where emerging talents can work alongside established names.
Long‑Term Residency and Mutual Mentorship
One of the studios’ most distinctive features is its commitment to long‑term residency. Artists are typically invited to stay for five to seven years, with some contracts extending to a decade. This stability allows creators to develop ambitious projects over time and to build lasting relationships with peers. Every resident artist is contractually required to mentor or support fellow artists, fostering a culture of mutual exchange that is formalised within the residency agreement.
Marie McPartlin, the director since the studios’ opening, explains that this model “creates an environment of mutual support.” She notes that the long‑term nature of the residencies encourages artists to experiment without fear of failure, as the studios provide a safe space for risk‑taking. The studios also place a strong emphasis on bridging the gap between private creation and public presentation, offering a structured yet flexible framework for artists to transition their work from studio to audience.
International Reach and Interdisciplinary Projects
In its 10th year, Somerset House Studios has intensified its international outreach. The director highlighted that the studio is now working more extensively abroad than it did five years ago, with plans to expand further. A key initiative is the n‑Space interdisciplinary fellowship, which encourages artists to explore ideas beyond traditional art boundaries. Recent n‑Space fellows staged a live court hearing featuring trainee barristers and a fictional dual‑use technology, testing whether existing legal frameworks could hold a technological system accountable.
Other notable projects include a playable video game co‑commissioned with New York City’s Canyon space, created by Korean artist Ayoung Kim, who recently showcased work at MoMA and received the LG Guggenheim Award. The studios also supported a collaboration between former data analyst Zein Majali and ex‑ballet dancer Nina Davies, and a performance by experimental pianist Precious Renee Tucker, who worked with scientists from King’s College London to translate exoplanetary weather systems into sound.
Challenges Facing London’s Art Scene
While Somerset House Studios remains resilient, London’s broader art ecosystem faces significant challenges. Over the past year, the city has lost key institutions such as Stephen Friedman, Beers, TJ Boulting, Sid Motion, Art Academy London, and the Science Gallery. Major galleries like Gagosian are scaling back, and many independent venues have closed. Contributing factors include a weak international art market, the aftereffects of Brexit, and limited public funding.
McPartlin argues that reversing these losses requires a fundamental rethink of arts funding distribution across the city. She believes that the avant‑garde and experimental sectors should continue feeding the mainstream, and that a model like Somerset House’s—large‑scale, community‑driven, and flexible—could be replicated elsewhere if supported by appropriate funding structures.
Looking Ahead
As the studios celebrate a decade of work, the focus remains on expanding impact both locally and internationally. Upcoming events include presentations of artist research to more than 1,000 policymakers at the Global Forum on the Ethics of AI, and the launch of 3ETV, a television channel hosted on Somerset House’s online platform. The studios also aim to increase accessibility for artists from lower socio‑economic backgrounds, recognising that diversity and inclusion are essential for a vibrant creative community.
Somerset House Studios continues to be a beacon of experimentation and support in a city where many art spaces are disappearing. Its model of long‑term residency, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration offers a blueprint for sustaining creative communities in the face of economic and political uncertainty.
Key facts
- 10th anniversary of Somerset House Studios in London
- Long‑term residencies (5‑7 years) with mandatory peer mentorship
- Interdisciplinary projects bridging art, science, and technology
- International outreach and collaborations with global institutions
- Challenges to London’s art scene: closures and funding cuts
- Future plans: policy engagement, new media platform, and inclusive access
Why it matters
Somerset House Studios demonstrates how sustained support, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration can nurture artists and keep a city’s creative ecosystem thriving, even amid broader institutional losses.
Frequently asked questions
What is the duration of a residency at Somerset House Studios?
Residencies typically last between five and seven years, with some extending to a decade.
How does the studio support artists’ experimentation?
The studio provides a structured framework that encourages risk‑taking, offers long‑term stability, and facilitates mentorship among residents.
What kinds of projects are produced at the studios?
Projects range from experimental performances and video games to legal simulations and collaborations with scientists.
Sources
- [1] observer.com — originally reported as “A Decade In, London’s Somerset House Studios Is Still Refining Its Model of Artist Support”
