Community & Commissions
Since 2002, Somerset Art Works has worked with a wide range of arts and non-art partners, providing opportunities for artists to extend their professional practice via research residencies, commissions and bursaries, to develop new audiences for the visual arts in Somerset and to engage communities that may have little contact with the arts.
Through our projects we have developed an understanding of how the arts can benefit a wide range of community needs, facilitating and promoting the value of creativity for all: for enjoyment, learning, skills development and a personal sense of health and well being.
Current Projects
We are working with a wide range of artists and organisations to develop contemporary art and craft in Somerset. We create opportunities for learning and enjoyment, as well as supporting health and wellbeing, from developing talents to benefiting our communities.
Quiet Places for Unquiet Minds
Somerset Art Works' Wellbeing Programme - including artist residencies with Mind in Somerset and wellbeing groups around the county and our Online Art Group.
Wool - Spinning a Yarn
There will be a programme of makers’ commissions, community outreach /school events, talks and workshops. This project will focus on Wool.
Our Place/Taunton
Somerset Art Works has been delivering a programme of community engagement activities in North and East Taunton through the Our Place project since 2014.
Art for Everyone
Somerset Art Works is committed to championing arts for everyone in Somerset. This is woven through all of our projects and activities.
Culturally Chard
Culturally Chard is a three year programme celebrating the local character, culture, history and heritage of Chard, exploring what makes the evolving high street a special and unique place, relevant to current and future generations.
Search and Learn
As part of the Search & Learn project, Wells and Mendip museum is working with Somerset Art Works to help reach into the community and encourage participants to interpret our collections in new and creative ways.
Somerset Art Works and Open Door
Open Door approached Somerset Art Works to develop an artist-led project, laying the foundations for a sustainable creative approach to improving the mental and physical health, confidence and skills of Open Door clients.
Somerset Art Works and Somerset Sight
Children and adults with visual impairments have been creating an array of uplifting prints in workshops across the county, led by Somerset artist and printmaker Gemma Trickey, supported by Somerset Art Works.
Previous Projects
Recent Projects
Find out more about our recent projects
Project Archive
Find out more about our previously commissioned projects
Digital Showcase
A showcase of digital work from artists who have received project support in recent years
Latest news
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Unleash Your Creativity at The Stitching 4 All Show! This spring, the Stitching 4 All show returns to Westpoint Arena from Thursday, April 4th to Saturday, April 6th. This year’s […]
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Craftsmanship along the Silk Road KAZAKHSTAN | 2nd – 15th June 2024 “The thing I love about Central Asia is that they haven’t lost the traditional skills. Tiles, textiles, metalwork, printing, painting, […]
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We’re looking to commission 5-7 artists/artist collectives in Somerset to make new work that responds to the Festival theme “Landscape – Flux and Flow”! We are calling artists in Somerset […]
Stitching 4 All Show
[Friday, March 1, 2024]
Craftsmanship along the Silk Road
[Tuesday, February 27, 2024]
Somerset Art Weeks Festival 2024 Micro-commissions
[Tuesday, February 27, 2024]