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
- 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 curator’s tour with Topher Campbell, that will delve into the creative process and stories behind the exhibition.
- 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.
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 (introduced by Topher) - Screening Room
18.30 - 19.00 - Curators tour with Topher Campbell - 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 (introduced by Topher) - Screening Room
21.10 - 21.55 - Moments that shaped Black Queer Britain Film- Screening Room
21.15 - 21.45 - Curators tour with Topher - Terrace Rooms
(Please note that the talks and tours are not bookable, 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.)