As London’s working arts centre and home to the UK’s largest and most exciting creative community, Somerset House Trust recently held their first-ever gala in support of the Young Talent Fund. White Light (WL), an approved supplier at the unique venue for many years, was chosen to provide all the lighting, audio and video elements to enhance this important inaugural event. 

Natalie Howard, Development Manager at

Somerset House Trust explains: “We wanted to introduce a wider audience of

potential donors to the work we do supporting young creatives’ secure

meaningful, paid employment and also keep artists in the capital. We don’t

receive any government funding for this work and so it is vital that we are

able to raise funds from supporters to be able to continue helping young

creatives reach their potential.”

Over 100 guests attended the gala, including global CEOs, artists, philanthropists and the Trust’s Development Advisory Board of judges, investors, publishers, agents and entrepreneurs. After a welcome drinks reception, guests enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of Somerset House Studios – a new experimental workspace connecting artists, makers and thinkers with audiences, before dinner was served in the Seamen’s Hall. Silent and live auctions followed to raise vital funds and speeches from Somerset House’s Chairman, William Sieghart and Director, Jonathan Reekie helped reinforce the need for support.

WL’s Account Manager, Steven Burnham comments: “It was

crucially important that the work of the young artists be given the limelight

it deserves to help increase the awareness and support for the Young Talent

Fund. With our knowledge of the venue, we knew exactly how to help bring this

to life and enhance Somerset House’s beautiful architecture to heighten the

guest experience.”

Natalie concludes: “White Light were extremely helpful and accommodating to our needs. We had a vision to create something spectacular and completely bespoke for our guests at the dinner, something they would remember after they left us. White Light helped to create beautiful projections that lit up the staircases; they provided uplighting, which was strategically placed to create an intimate feeling in our dining room and the audio visual equipment, which was essential for our auctions. The whole event ran seamlessly and we are so grateful for their help”.