All applicants must read the guidelines below carefully before submitting an application to the Creative Technologies Fellowship. By applying you are confirming that you understand and agree to these points.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION FORM DOCUMENTS
You can access these application guidelines and the application form in the following formats:
Large Print Application Guidelines
Large Print Application Form
Plain Text Application Guidelines
Plain Text Application Form
PDF that can be run through text recognition Application Guidelines
PDF that can be run through text recognition Application Form
Please note, the downloadable application forms above are provided to help you draft your answers offline before submitting via the online application form.
WHAT IS THE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FELLOWSHIP?
Somerset House Studios in partnership with UAL Creative Computing Institute (CCI) open applications for a new Creative Technologies Fellowship. The fellowship offers a unique development and commission opportunity for an artist who is looking to explore the ways in which computational systems can be used as part of a critical practice exploring social or environmental questions. Over a 12-month residency across both sites commencing September 2024 and running in parallel with the academic year, the artist will receive practical and technological support to develop a new work which will be presented at Somerset House in Autumn 2025. The opportunity includes access to workspace, labs, technical expertise, and academic support to facilitate practice-led research, along with curatorial advice, producer support and studio facilities. Artists are invited to demonstrate an interest in one or more of the creative computing research areas outlined below, highlight how this opportunity might benefit their practice, and propose a project they would like to develop over the course of the fellowship, with relevant and achievable aims using the chosen technology.
WHO SHOULD APPLY FOR THIS FELLOWSHIP?
This Fellowship is aimed at artists who have an established practice and who would like to deepen their engagement with contemporary computing technologies. With an ongoing focus on artists who are pushing bold ideas, engaging with urgent issues and pioneering new technologies, we are particularly interested in those making socially engaged, and inclusive work, activists and critical thinkers; the experimental; those interested in cross-disciplinary working and / or collaboration.
We particularly welcome applications from those under-represented within the UK creative sector workforce and audiences, as defined below.
Artists must:
- be over 18 and London-based
- have an established practice: eligible artists will need to have been practicing for 5+ years
- be able to demonstrate some established engagement with technology as part of their practice and an interest in deepening that experience
- demonstrate a clear engagement with critical social, or environmental practices
- propose a project that they would like to develop with a public facing outcome. This may be the evolution as an existing project or a project already in development, but the outcome presented at Somerset House must be distinctive from any previous presentations
- not be in formal education for the duration of the support (including part-time and post-graduate education). We are interested in artists who have not progressed through formal art training routes
Note: number of years as a practicing artist is self-defined by applicants and is given as an indication as to the level of experience we imagine an artist might need to have in order to get the most benefit from this opportunity.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE BEING UNDER-REPRESENTED WITHIN THE UK CREATIVE SECTOR WORKFORCE AND AUDIENCE?
• LGBTQIA+ and/or non-binary
• Having a migrant or refugee experience
• From African Diaspora, from South, East and South East Asian diaspora and/or Ethnically Diverse
• Neurodivergent
• Disabled
• Affected by a health condition or impairment
• Affected by homelessness
• Care-leaver/carer
• Unemployed and/or have received welfare benefits
• Working class and/or first in their immediate family to go to university
WHAT THIS FELLOWSHIP INCLUDES:
- £7,500 artist fee, £7,500 production budget
- Shared studio at Somerset House and access to workspace and labs at UAL
- Research mentorship and academic expertise from CCI: Creative ML / Robotics, XR, Philosophy of Technology, Critical Design
- Technical support from CCI including access to Slack / UAL channels
- Curatorial support for the development of the new commission at Somerset House
- Project development support from relevant UAL Postgraduates
- Access to project space (including rehearsal space and recording studio), and year-round artist development and social programmes at Somerset House Studios
- Participation in public outcomes at UAL Creative Computing Institute (CCI) which could include a symposium, public lecture, workshops, etc.
CREATIVE COMPUTING AREAS OF RESEARCH:
The CCI awards fellowships to individual practitioners who are engaging with important creative computing practice, research or activism. Much of our research centers on the agency of computational tools to enable new forms of creative practice, co-creation and modes of expression. We also explore how the heuristics of computational experience shapes our understanding and expectations of the world.
Importantly, we question who is included in dominant modes of technological development and how we can create more inclusive spaces for developing forms of computation practice that engage with both human and non-human experience. In this fellowship we would like to engage with an artist at both a technical and conceptual level to inform a body of practice that connects with the themes of social or environmental questions in ways that have not yet been considered at CCI
MAIN AREAS OF CREATIVE COMPUTING RESEARCH:
CCI has a diverse range of research activity allied to the creativity afforded by computational practices. It explores the possibilities of new technologies to transform the world at both the macro scale and the scale of the individual. There are three pillars that frame the research agenda:
- Creativity, Machine Learning and AI: This platform explores how a foundational technology of the 21st century can be used in creative ways and examines how people will act with such technologies in deploying their personal and collective creativity.
- Human Computer Interaction: This platform explores how we behave with emerging technologies and what they will mean for products, services and culture.
- Platforms, Big Data and Digital Citizenship: This platform explores how the huge amount of data aggregated to the key platforms of our time can be understood, explored and contribute to a public discourse of a globalised and networked society and associated equalities dynamics.
RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE FELLOWSHIP ARTIST:
At UAL Creative Computing Institute:
CCI have a range of facilities available for the Fellowship artist as outlined above. All equipment is free to use and some consumables are provided. The Fellowship artist will have guided access to all CCI resources which can be seen here. Recipients of the fellowship will also become part of the wider network of critical and creative practitioners at the CCI and across UAL through Supra Systems Studios. They will have the opportunity to present work, gain feedback, and engage in developing connections across the varied body of academics, technicians, students and others.
At Somerset House Studios:
The Fellowship artists will have access to shared studio for the duration of the residency, along with access to bookable project spaces including:
- Recording studio: vocal booth and control room with production software, mixing desk and a range of microphones and equipment (sound engineer support not included)
- Project and rehearsal spaces: including the Gym (large rehearsal space with sprung floor), the Rifle Range (ideal for messy works), The Lancaster and River Rooms (all suitable for movement work, large scale work, group work, filming etc.)
- Screening room: ideal for screening artworks or presentations. Capacity for up to 70 people.
- Private meeting rooms
- Makerversity facilities: woodwork workshops, spray booth, 3D printers, CNC machine, vinyl cutters, textile workshop, photography studio and more.
The Fellowship artists will also have access to all artist development and social programmes at Somerset House Studios over the residency period.
IS THERE ANOTHER WAY TO APPLY?
It’s possible to submit your application in written, audio or video format. Whichever format you choose, we ask you to answer the same questions.
Written applications should be submitted via the online form as outlined. Video/Audio Applications should be emailed to studios@somersethouse.org.uk
No assessment will be made of the production quality of audio or video recordings.
All applications regardless of format should be submitted no later than 10am on Wednesday 31 July 2024.
WHAT ACCESS SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE?
We are committed to making our opportunities accessible and the application experience as user-friendly as we can. This is part of our ongoing work to welcome and encourage applicants facing barriers to apply.
You can access this application guidance and the application form in a number of accessible formats at the top of this page. Please note, the downloadable application forms above are provided to help you draft your answers offline before submitting via the online application form or via the formats outlined.
Access Support Worker: We can contribute up to £200 towards a fee for an Access Support Worker for applicants who need one. Please email the Studios at studios@somersethouse.org.ukor call +44 (0)20 7845 4623 at least one working week before the deadline to discuss how we can help.
Access Rider: We are committed to ensuring that the programme is accessible for the selected artists. Selected artists will be provided with an access document at the start of their residency to let us know what they need to fully participate in the programme, including communication methods and engagement in both digital and real-life elements.
Access Budget: There is a budget to support with reasonable adjustments to assist with access requirements for this residency programme. We will work with individuals to understand their specific needs.
ARE ALL STUDIOS AREAS ACCESSIBLE?
The shared studio is located on the basement of the New Wing of Somerset House and is wheelchair accessible. This space is on the same level as the West Service Yard and Embankment entrances to Somerset House, and also accessible via lift from ground floor areas. The social areas and all project spaces are wheelchair accessible via the lifts. Most vault spaces are not wheelchair accessible as they have steps to enter. Somerset House is a Grade I listed building so there may be times when we need to look at specific requirements. We will work with individuals to understand their specific needs in how to navigate access challenges if they arise.
TIMELINE:
- July 08 2024: Applications open
- Wednesday 31 July 2024: Application deadline - 10am
- September 2024: Artist selected
- September 2024: Fellowship commences
- Autumn 2025: Presentation of new work at Somerset House
WILL I RECEIVE CONFIRMATION OF RECEIPT OF MY APPLICATION?
Yes, confirmation of all applications will be emailed.
SELECTION PROCESS:
Applications will be reviewed initially by Somerset House Studios against the opportunity criteria to arrive at a longlist to be shared with the panel. The Fellowship artist will be selected by the panel following a review of their application and a meeting to discuss their proposed idea/work further. Particular consideration will be given to:
- demonstration of interest in one or more of the creative computing research areas
- the idea / work the artist would like to develop over the Fellowship
- how this opportunity would benefit the artist's practice
Somerset House is committed to being actively anti-racist across all areas of our work, and ensuring all programmes are inclusive and representational, paying particular attention to those under-represented* in the culture sector. We are committed to embedding inclusion and representation into our overall selection.
*By under-represented we mean: People who are under-represented within the creative sector workforce and audiences, specifically in terms of: LGBTQIA+ and/or non-binary, having a migrant or refugee experience, from African Diaspora, from South, East and South East Asian diaspora, and/or ethnically diverse, neurodivergent, disabled, affected by a health condition or impairment, affected by homelessness, care-leaver, carer, unemployed and/or have received welfare benefits, working class and/or first in their immediate family to go to university.
SELECTION PANEL INCLUDES:
- Marie McPartlin (Director, Somerset House Studios)
- Dr Eva Verhoeven (Programme Director, Creative Computing & Robotics (UG), UAL Creative Computing Institute)
- Murad Khan (Course Leader & Senior Lecturer, UAL Creative Computing Institute (CCI))
- Artist panelists to be announced.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I’M SHORTLISTED?
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an in-person interview with Somerset House Studios to discuss their application in more detail. Key interview questions will be shared in advance.
CAN I VIEW THE STUDIO AND FACILITIES BEFOREHAND?
All shortlisted candidates will have a tour of Somerset House Studios and will be able to view the studio at this stage.
APPLICATION QUERIES
We are happy to receive emails or calls to answer your questions. Please email the Studios Team at studios@somersethouse.org.ukor call +44 (0)20 7845 4623. We will aim to respond to emails within three working days.
Please ensure you have read the Application Guidelines carefully before getting in touch as you may find your answers in this information.
Please note that the advice we give will be on the eligibility and suitability of you making an application and will have no bearing on its assessment. You do not need to have spoken to a member of staff before applying.
CAN I RECEIVE FEEDBACK ON MY APPLICATION IF I’M NOT SUCCESSFUL?
Due to the anticipated volume of applications, we will not be able to offer feedback to unsuccessful applicants. Please note that the decision is final and there is no appeal or re-consideration process.
The deadline for applications is 10am on Wednesday 31 July 2023.