UP Projects is the UK’s leading public art organisation specialising in socially engaged public art commissioning. We bring world class artists out of the gallery and into public spaces to create new work with communities across the UK and beyond. Our work is always responsive to context often activating unexpected corners of the public realm.
We initiate projects that respond to some of the most pressing issues of our time as well as work with partners on a consultancy basis to create extraordinary, ambitious and risk-taking work that communities can shape, actively participate in and relate to. We support our partners to be bold and innovative, bringing a breadth of experience and skills covering strategy writing, public art commissioning, digital commissioning, artist selection processes, community engagement, evaluation, and public event programming.
Our 20 years’ experience champions a bold yet sensitive approach that values time and takes care to bring about social change. In the last two decades we have championed underrepresented voices, often giving emerging talent their first chance to create new work in public spaces across the UK.
Flagship projects include Newham Trackside Wall by Sonia Boyce OBE RA (2021); The National Windrush Monument by Basil Watson (2022); Gut Feelings Meri Jaan by Jasleen Kaur (2020); Globe Head Ballerina by Yinka Shonibare (2012), The Floating Cinema with various artists (2011-2017) and Laid to Rest by Serena Korda (2011).
UP Projects have also led numerous progressive public art strategies that shape the way artists can become embedded within areas undergoing regenerational change. This work includes a new public art strategy for Ebbsfleet Garden City, Art on the Peninsula for the Greenwich Peninsula in London, Vista Nine Elms for Berkeley Homes, Artlands for Kent County Council and Eco Systems of Learning and New Imaginaries for Telford Homes.
Learning sharing sits at the heart of what we do, and we are dedicated to supporting the next generation of socially engaged practitioners through our free learning and development programme, Constellations that gives artists, curators and producers the chance to explore best practice models from leading names within the world of social practice.
UP Projects is a charity and National Portfolio organisation of the Arts Council England. We were founded in 2002 by Emma Underhill with a mission to support artists to make new work that has social relevance, engages communities, encourages learning and enriches the public sphere.
Our Underlying Belief
Art and artists have the power to effect social change when the process is considered just as important as the final outcome.
Our Vision
UP Projects leads the way for progressive, artist-led projects to permeate the public domain. Our work connects communities, shapes identities, empowers inclusion and addresses the most pressing issues of our time.
Our Mission
UP Projects enables artists to achieve extraordinary, ambitious and risk-taking work that communities can shape, participate in and relate to. We bring art to unexpected corners of the public realm, finding creative potential in unlikely situations, and our work is always responsive to its environment. Our 20 years’ experience champions a bold yet sensitive approach that values time, takes care, inspires learning and enables the transformational impact of public art to flourish.
Our Values
Our work is underpinned by five core values:
Relevance: Our programme is responsive to contemporary life and relevant to diverse communities and audiences.
Openness: Our work is accessible: conceptually, intellectually, physically, geographically, economically, considering diversity, disability and barriers to access.
Learning to Learn: We believe in a collaborative approach to learning for all.
Innovation: We challenge convention, support risk taking, and test new ideas in the physical and digital realms.
Artistic Excellence: Representing the height of ambition, talent, and skill.
