London venue Somerset House says it generated over £2m through its commercial events activity in 2019. The funds were invested back into supporting the upkeep of the historic site for more than 3m visitors.
Commercial events activity is essential to Somerset House Trust, as an independent self-sustaining charity, receiving no regular public funding. Somerset House Trust’s recently released Impact Report for 2018/2019 details how commercial event activity has helped to enable Somerset House to deliver 33 exhibitions, support 73 artists, 4,000 private tours, and support 800 young people through its Creative Careers Programme, including launching the Creative Careers Academy work placement initiative.
Luci Sorrell, the venue’s business development manager, comments: “Our event organisers are often asked to find tangible details of what they are giving back to society and the wider world in terms of corporate social responsibility. Somerset House is home to the UK’s largest and most exciting creative community, offering a unique combination of compelling and accessible public events, enterprise and artistic practise. Organisers hosting their events here can be confident that their events are directly supporting an organisation offering immense value to an audience that goes far beyond just the attendees at a commercial event.”
