rukus! Upgrade Yourself Takeover

Upgrade Yourself, Somerset House's creative skills programme aimed at deepening and widening engagement, looks to remove barriers and increase representation in the cultural sector, with a focus on young aspiring and emerging creative talent.

Your free ticket to the takeover gives you access to: 

• After-hours entry to Making a rukus!, an exhibition curated by artist, filmmaker and co-founder of rukus! federation, Topher Campbell, that explores the joy, friendship, resistance and art of Black LGBTQ+ people in Britain 
   
• A tour of the exhibition with Dr Antoine Rogers, that will delve into the creative process and stories behind the rukus! archive.
   
• The chance to get creative in a collage workshop with artist, curator and founder of The Blacker The Berry, Jesualdo Lopes. Join him for a unique insight into what an archive is and how archiving your own history and story can help you understand yourselves as artists. 
   
• A talk with Myah Asha Jeffers, a photographer, writer, director and dramaturg, who shares her experiences developing her artistic practice, using photography as a tool for connection, while speaking practically about strengthening creative voice and vision to make a mark within an ever-changing industry.
   
• An insightful talk on Diverse Voices in Media, from writer and author of the book Revolutionary Acts: Love and Brotherhood in Black Gay Britain, Jason Okundaye. He will delve into his career to date, including working as a culture journalist for a range of publications, and writing his first book, sharing insights into how to navigate the publication industry as a young creative.
   
• A screening of Moments that Shaped Black Queer Britain, a short film that explores how the struggles of black queer activists created the platforms black LGBTQIA+ people enjoy today.
   
• The evening will be soundtracked with a medley of perfectly curated tunes from Emma Korantema, a Ghanaian-British multidisciplinary artist, DJ, poet, model and once junior doctor.
   
• Café Petiole, a new (mostly) vegan café will be open for you to purchase tasty food and drinks at a discounted rate! Download the menu.

Grab a free drink at the bar, meet likeminded creatives as part of our networking activations and chat to industry experts to find out more about working in the creative sector. 

PROGRAMME

18.00 - 22.00 - DJ set from Emma Korantema - Seamen's Hall
18.00 - 21.30 - Crafting Collective Landscapes w/ The Blacker The Berry - Seamen's Hall
18.10 - 19.00 - Moments that shaped Black Queer Britain Film - Screening Room 
18.30 -19.00 - Exhibition Tour with Dr Antoine Rogers - Terrace Rooms
19.00 - 19.40 - Heart Work: Photographing Connection w/ Myah Asha Jeffers - Screening Room 
20.00 - 21.00 - Diverse Voices in Media with Jason Okundaye  - Screening Room
21.00 - 21.30 - Exhibition Tour with Dr Antoine Rogers - Terrace Rooms 
21.10 - 21.55 - Moments that shaped Black Queer Britain Film- Screening Room 

(Please note that the talks and tours are not bookable in advance, but attendees can sign up on the day when they arrive to ensure they get a space. Capacity is limited. Information on how to sign up will be sent in the pre-event email.)

Visitor Information

This exhibition addresses important issues around sensual identities and lived experience. Content includes and references: nudity, strong language, HIV, discrimination, and sexually explicit imagery.

The exhibition is not suitable for visitors under 16 years of age. If you require any further information, please speak to a member of the Visitor Experience team.

Accessibility

Our ambition is to make this event accessible to everyone, but we know there is work to do!

The Upgrade Yourself Takeover will take place in Seamen's Hall, Screening Room and Terrace Rooms at Somerset House (South Wing). The spaces are accessible to wheelchair users and there is an accessible toilet close by. There will also be a quiet space and access packs available.

If you would like more information or to request specific access support, please email engagement@somersethouse.org.uk prior to arriving.

We are constantly working towards making our events more accessible, if you have any feedback on how we can improve. Please let us know!

Find out more about accessibility at Somerset House here.

ACCESS PACKS
For the Takeover, you'll be able to borrow Access Packs from the Visitor Experience team, these will be available at the Making a rukus! exhibition entrance. These will contain large print guides, noise cancelling headphones, a stress ball and a copy of the visual story, a document detailing what you can expect navigating your way to the event.