Somerset House in London has announced the first five winners of its Talent 25 programme, a scheme supporting artistic innovators within its creative community. The awardees—Shanti Bell, Tyreis Holder, enorê, Identity 2.0 (founded by Arda Awais & Savena Surana), and Piarvé Wetshi—each receive an £8,000 bursary and mentorship from artist-designer Yinka Ilori to develop new work. Their creations will be exhibited in September as part of the Step Inside 25 Weekend, celebrating 25 years of Somerset House's public opening.
This initiative matters because it provides crucial early-career support and visibility for emerging artists, designers, and makers at a time when funding for the arts is under pressure. Yinka Ilori’s mentorship and the involvement of collectors, investors, and government representatives could help propel these talents onto major platforms like Frieze London or the Venice Biennale. The programme also underscores Somerset House’s role as a hub for cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation in the contemporary art world.