Future Artists Programme – Everywhere Playground with Sam Williams

Applications closed

Everywhere Playground is a 5-day creative workshop where future artists, ages 16-19 are immersed in and guided by the creative practice of Sam Williams, an established multidisciplinary artist based at Somerset House Studios. Offering a unique opportunity to explore an artist’s process and studio practice, participants will engage with themes for further enquiry, and have space and time to develop their own creative project in a supportive studio environment.

Dates: Monday 27 – Friday 31 May 2024, 5 days (Summer Half Term)

Times: 10.00-16.00

Location: Somerset House, Strand, London

Cost: FREE (reasonable travel expenses will be covered and lunch will be provided)

Application Deadline: Thursday 11 April 2024, 5pm

During the week, the group will learn about various art movements, re-interpreting different forms of free, experimental making – such as collage, event scores, movement, automatic drawing, free-writing, performance “happenings” and improvised sound and music. The week will hold a spirit of play and randomness, encouraging the group to work together to determine the activities. These might include activities like creating music with everyday objects, devising instructions for performance, or finding ways to draw sounds. The week will culminate in a group improvisation, an opportunity to present findings from the week in an internal sharing.

The Artist

Sam Williams.jpg

Sam Williams is an artist with an expanded, research based practice. Intertwining moving-image, collage, choreography, sound and writing – he treats his work as material with the potential to be continuously rearranged. His ongoing research focuses on multispecies entanglements, ecological systems, bodies-as-worlds and folk mythologies and how they propose possibilities for present and future ways of non-human-centric living.

Sam is based in London where he is a resident at Somerset House Studios. He has exhibited and screened work at institutions including Chisenhale Gallery, Arnolfini, Siobhan Davies Dance, Somerset House, Tate Britain, Studio Voltaire and South Kiosk (UK), She Will (Norway); Kino Arsenal, Akademie der Kunst, Tanzhalle Wisenberg and B3 Biennale (Germany).

What will I be doing on the Programme?

Everywhere Playground is a five-day experimental, educational and open-ended proposal for creative questioning and exploration. The week's activities are inspired by Dada; by the 1960's ‘Happenings’ involving artists such as Allan Kaprow, Robert Whitman and Carolee Schneemann; by the Japanese collectives Jikken Kobo (Experimental Workshop) and Gutai Bijutsu Kyokai (Gutai Art Association); by the interdisciplinary experiments of Black Mountain College; by the convergence of dance and visual art at the Judson Dance Theater in New York; by the fluxus events of artists such as Yoko Ono and Ben Patterson; and by the experiences of failure and discovery that come with being an artist.

During the 5 days, you will;

have an introduction to Somerset House and Sam Williams’ practice
explore the possibilities of improvisation, composition and collage
explore different forms of free, experimental making – such as collage, event scores, automatic drawing, free-writing, performance “happenings” and improvised sound and music
learn about what gave rise to the various art movements, moments and collectives which inform our actions
as a group, build towards the creation of an extended period of experimentation

Each day will follow a set structure with time for rest breaks. On each day, there will be a 1-hour lunch break with lunch provided.

Who can apply?

This opportunity is for young people ages 16-19 who haven’t studied an art subject at university level. This programme will prioritise people from underrepresented backgrounds*. If you have an interest in experimenting with, a range of artistic disciplines including, but not limited to: video art/artist moving image, sound art, sculpture, performance, dance, writing, poetry and conceptual art, this project is for you!

It is important that you can attend all 5 days of the project.

*The Inclusive Talent Engagement team at Somerset House acknowledges that particular people are underrepresented in the British creative sector. Particularly those who are:

Ethnically diverse and/or Global majority
Differently abled or Living with a disability
Working class and/or from a lower socio-economic background*

We also acknowledge the underrepresentation of those who self-identify as:
LGBTQIA+ and/or non-binary
Neuro-divergent

We also acknowledge that people face barriers in many ways not mentioned above, and we are open to hearing from anyone who considers themselves to be underrepresented in the creative sector.

*Some questions that might help define lower socio-economic background:
Were you on free school meals?
Did your parents receive income benefits for a long period?
Did your parents go to university?

What experience do I need?

This programme is for motivated individuals with passion and creative flair. No prior experience necessary, but a willingness to play, experiment, collaborate and challenge your own boundaries through working in a group is important. You should be happy to contribute to creative discussions and work with others, open to trying new things with a desire to explore your own creative process and question what you consider to be an artwork.

You may:

be studying (or planning to study) art or another creative course at college or have enjoyed these subjects at school
spend your spare time writing, drawing or making music
want to explore making creative work with others
have an open mind and want to challenge yourself and your ideas about art and collaboration.

Why should I apply?

The workshop week will be an introduction to the real-world of an arts career, outside of a classroom environment. You will be inspired by artists and creators who have established themselves in the arts world. Do the following words spark your curiosity? If so, we welcome you to apply!

chaos
collaboration
composition
improvisation
communication
play
spontaneity
structure
imperfection
possibility
action
inaction

What does attendance cost?

The week is free of charge to participants. Reasonable travel expenses will be covered, and lunch will be provided.

What is Upgrade Yourself?

Somerset House’s Upgrade Yourself programmes exist to remove barriers and increase representation in the arts and creative sector. Produced by the Inclusive Talent Engagement team, we aim to include underrepresented young audiences, while also focusing on giving emerging talent aged 16-30 access to skills, experiences and progression routes to pursue careers in the creative sector, connecting to the Somerset House programme and resident creative community.

Access Information

Everywhere Playground will take place in the River and Lancaster Rooms at Somerset House. The space is on the ground floor and accessible to wheelchair users. There is an accessible toilet close by. If you require additional support to take part in this programme, please let us know in your application.

Applications are now closed