Emma Underhill is Founder and Artistic Director of UP Projects with over 20 years’ experience in curating and leading large scale, ambitious projects in the public realm, often delivered through complex partnership working. Under Emma’s leadership, UP Projects has gained an expansive reputation for progressive public art commissioning, robust and genuine community engagement methodologies and a commitment to artist development, often providing artists with career changing opportunities.

Emma leads the artistic direction of UP Projects’ core programme which includes the Constellations learning & development programme for public art practitioners and public art commissions that have social relevance and explore the pressing issues of our time. Recent projects that Emma has directed and curated include The National Windrush Monument by Basil Watson at London Waterloo Station (unveiled 2022) working with the Windrush Commemoration Committee and HM Government Department of Levelling Up Housing & Communities; a highly ambitious commission on the behalf of Crossrail in Newham working with Dame Sonia Boyce DBE (completed 2021) a series of wall-based commissions by Jessie Brennan in the Royal Docks (2020) and a series of integrated artworks for the Nine Elms Development, Vauxhall (2018).

Emma is a highly experienced strategic thinker with a strong belief that artists can play a valuable role in every stage of the urban development cycle. She has written many cultural, public art and community engagement strategies for organisations and locations including The Royal Parks, London; Artlands, Kent & Medway; Southwark Council; Berkeley Homes, Nine Elms, London; Knight Dragon, Greenwich Peninsula; Crossrail, Newham, London and Telford Homes, Rotherhithe, London.

What are your goals for the London network?

To create more opportunities for collaboration and dialogue with London’s arts organisations, support London based organisations at a time when the majority of resources are being distributed outside of London, raise the profile of the work of organisations within the network and signpost resources and opportunities.

What are you currently working on and what does the future hold?

I’m always juggling many projects, but I’m particularly excited about our forthcoming programme of Constellations Assemblies. These online events are aimed at artists, curators, practitioners, commissioners, communities, and all those interested in the expanded field of public art and the next three in the series explore how creative practice can catalyse change at policy level. The first event is on 25^th September, featuring the inspirational American artist Dread Scott, who operates at the intersection of art and activism, alongside Zoé Whitley, Director of Chisenhale Gallery and member of the Greater London Authority’s Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm.

It is a challenging time for small arts organisations but I’m optimistic about our future, we have a very exciting commission coming up next year that tackles themes relating to the Climate Crisis, we will continue to support sector learning & development through our Constellations Assemblies. I have no doubt many other projects will come into the frame as we continue to develop new partnerships across the country.

Find out more about the upcoming Constellations ° Assemblies

Why should people join CVAN London?

To become more connected to the London arts infrastructure, to support each other and share resources, and to work collectively to promote the incredible creative talent that London has to offer.