Stay in the know about art on display at RSA House, and where they are located.
Fellowship news and events
reading time: 11 minutes
Summary
Stay in the know with Fellowship: the new Fellows’ lounge, what Fellows in Birmingham and the South West are up to, stay up-to-date on events happening at the House, and more.
FELLOWSHIP ENGAGEMENT
Reimagining Birmingham
RSA volunteer community leaders and Fellowship engagement managers are collaborating to deliver an ambitious programme of ‘beautiful conversations in beautiful places’ across the country in 2026.
There is often an assumption that the best events, the sharpest speakers and the most important conversations all happen in London. But the Royal Society of Arts’ Central area Community Leader, Kaleem Hussain, is helping to put Birmingham firmly on the map for high-quality civic dialogue that inspires action.
Kaleem recently hosted ‘Branding Birmingham: Future Ambitions and an Evolving Identity’ at the Library of Birmingham, bringing together leading local voices to explore how Birmingham can define and communicate its identity for the future.
Fellows were joined by Sir Andy Street, former Managing Director of John Lewis and Mayor of the West Midlands; Ed James, Deputy Lord Lieutenant for the West Midlands; and Tahir Abbas, Professor of Criminology and Global Justice at Aston University.
The discussion examined Birmingham’s complexities – from inequality and institutional trust to the opportunities created by major transport investment and forthcoming global sporting events.
Sir Andy said: “The Royal Society of Arts has a unique history of bringing diverse audiences together to host the conversations that address big challenges. It’s a competitive current landscape for UK cities, and RSA Fellows are well placed to help Birmingham brand itself effectively to stand out.
“It was a pleasure to share my experience with Fellows to help kickstart this conversation and inspire local action.”
The event marked the first in a wider series hosted by Kaleem, exploring the practical steps needed to help Birmingham realise its potential. Fellows left energised by the discussion, and plans are already underway for the next conversation.
Luke Dorian is the RSA’s Fellowship Engagement Manager for the Central area.
Valuing our volunteers
The Royal Society of Arts volunteer best practice training programme, taking place from March to October this year, has been creating a welcoming space for Fellowship councillors, community leaders and network leads to connect, learn and grow together.
Running over lunchtimes on the last Friday of each month, these relaxed and interactive online sessions explore themes such as event delivery, governance, data and communications.
The sessions have been co-led by RSA staff and Fellows, blending practical guidance with shared experience, to encourage open conversation.
From creating inclusive and respectful spaces to promoting events and using RSA branding, each session aims to leave our volunteers feeling better supported and better equipped to strengthen connections and to confidently and thoughtfully engage with other Fellows.
Clara Heffernan is the RSA’s Fellowship Coordinator.
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RSA EXHIBITIONS
RSA House showcases royal portrait
A striking portrait of King Charles III made entirely from reclaimed and natural materials is now on display at RSA House.
On loan from the Royal Collection Trust, The King of Sustainability will be exhibited until the autumn.
Created by Texan artist Michael Shellis, in collaboration with social entrepreneur Taz Khan, the artwork is constructed from salvaged wood, discarded materials, fallen petals and flowers collected from London’s Royal Parks, and organic dyes made from coffee waste.
It is inspired by the King’s long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and reimagines waste as something of beauty, dignity and public value. At its core is a message about circularity, stewardship and the transformative potential of creativity.
Laure Barthelemy, curator at the Royal Society of Arts, described The King of Sustainability as a “powerful example of art carrying public purpose”.
She added: “We are delighted to welcome the work to the Royal Society of Arts and to create space for wider conversations around sustainability, circularity, community and the role of art in shaping public understanding.”
CONNECTIONS
A week in the life of a Fellowship engagement manager
Kate Monkhouse is an RSA Fellowship Engagement Manager (FEM) for the South-West of England and Wales and has been a Fellow since 2005. We asked her to keep a diary during a typical working week in May 2026.
Monday
Today, I am meeting Fellows at the Hawkwood Centre for Future Thinking near Stroud. It’s a place where rural Fellows often come together to connect, collaborate and share creative ideas through our experience-led events and lectures. During the day, I take part in an outdoor Forest of Imagination workshop.
Tuesday
I am now in Bristol, hosting a Table Talk meet-up for Fellows at the beautiful Square Club.
We hear from three local Fellows leading innovative work in research, artistic practice and hospice management. As always, it’s an inspiring reminder of the breadth of our Fellowship, and of how the Royal Society of Arts brings people together for the common good.
Wednesday
Today is largely an admin day.
I spend much of the morning posting on Circle, encouraging Fellows to continue conversations sparked by events over the past two days, and nominating new Fellows. I have also been exploring a new co-working option for Bath.
In the afternoon, I write my monthly mailing for Fellows in Wales. In the evening, I head to a local community centre, where I serve as a trustee – a role I took on thanks to encouragement from a Fellow.
Thursday
Today I am at RSA House with colleagues from the Fellowship team. We are reviewing the past financial year and discussing priorities and strategy for the year ahead – particularly how we can bring the Fellowship First strategy to life and strengthen our ability to deliver social impact in local communities.
I enjoy comparing notes with colleagues about the best way to support our community leaders, alongside sharing a laugh with people who usually live and work hundreds of miles apart.
Friday
After a late-night train journey from London, I meet Welsh Fellows for lunch in Abergavenny. We discuss entrepreneur mentoring, student wellbeing and investment in the creative industries.
On the train home, I email an update to my Fellowship councillors and receive a debrief on our AI workshops and innovation lectures taking place at universities across Wales.
To connect with Kate or a FEM in your area, email [email protected].
Watch anytime, catch up now
Take a look at our vast library of past events and find one that’s right for you.
COMMUNITY
Art, identity and inclusion: Meet Community Leader Oliver Enwonwu
Oliver Enwonwu is one of the RSA’s newest community leaders, working alongside Fellowship councillors and local engagement managers to organise activity across Canterbury and Folkestone.
A British Nigerian third-generation artist, Oliver became a Fellow in September 2024 and was immediately inspired by the Royal Society of Arts’ legacy and impact. His appreciation for the RSA’s longstanding commitment to societal change motivated him to deepen his involvement, and in November 2025, he took on the community leader role for his area.
Since then, he has hosted virtual coffeehouses to bring Fellows together – including a session exploring how art can nurture self-awareness and support mental health.
Through his artistic practice, Oliver explores themes of identity, inclusion and representation, using art as a vehicle to challenge inequality and inspire dialogue. He is a strong advocate for creativity beyond the arts, believing it has a vital role to play across all disciplines.
“Art helps us to think creatively,” he says. “It’s all about solving today’s problems of inclusion and diversity.”
Oliver’s decision to step into a leadership role reflects both his respect for the RSA and his desire to contribute meaningfully. “I like the fact that the RSA has been able to convene people from different disciplines to help shape society – and that it thinks seriously about civic responsibility.”
For Oliver, the RSA is particularly relevant in today’s world, where questions of race and identity continue to influence public life. He sees it as a space for genuine connection, shared purpose and collaboration – and is keen to spread the word.
“I would encourage anyone and everyone to join the RSA. It’s a platform for creativity, a platform for collaboration – a place to dream bigger, share ideas and develop close camaraderie with colleagues and enthusiasts alike.”
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Circle of Fellowship
Join Circle today and get your conversation started: to activate your Circle account, log in via the RSA website.
Your global community awaits.
Free co-working spaces
There are co-working locations available across the UK where non-London-based Fellows can work for free – and we regularly add new venues.
FELLOWS’ STORIES
Creativity in action: South-West Fellows driving change
The RSA has long believed that creativity can transform lives and communities. Here we celebrate two South-West Fellows whose work – spanning entrepreneurship, disability advocacy, co-design and storytelling – demonstrates what it means to be a creative force for good.
Helena Traill, FRSA
Helena is an artist and designer, and the founder of nooh Studio – a co-design agency working with charities, healthcare organisations and changemakers. She believes in the power of co-design and storytelling to create meaningful change, and brings that conviction to her work at nooh, her podcast The Ideas Machine and as a senior healthcare design consultant with the Root & Branch Collective.
Educated at Central Saint Martins, Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art, Traill curated 100 Stories, a compendium of accounts written by people living with cancer. She is also a trustee of Cancer on Board. An RSA Fellow since 2023, her multi-impressionist landscape paintings were on display at the Dr Cross room at RSA House in September 2025. Traill spoke about her distinctive approach to capturing urban landscapes. She is passionate about building creative communities, and has established Bristol Plein Air Painters, whose members are exhibiting together this summer.
Sammy Everard, FRSA
Sammy has been an RSA Fellow since 2021. In 2016, she founded Support and Mentoring Enabling Entrepreneurship (SAMEE), the award-winning charity she continues to lead as CEO. SAMEE supports disabled and neurodivergent people who want to explore self-employment, working with them through co-created and co-designed projects.
SAMEE received an RSA Catalyst Award in December 2022, and Sammy has shared insights into the initiative’s pioneering approach at an RSA South West Coffeehouse event. A qualified business mentor, her practice has also informed a PhD journey with the Centre of Seldom Heard Voices at Bournemouth University.
Sammy was recognised in the 2024 Disability Power 100, and was awarded an MBE in the 2026 New Year’s Honours.
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AWARDS
Shining a light on fantastic Fellows
Nominations will open shortly for our Fellowship Awards 2026. This annual celebration will shine a well-deserved light on Fellows whose leadership, creativity and commitment to civic impact demonstrate what it means to play an active role in our community.
The awards ceremony will take place on the evening of Tuesday 8 December 2026. Hosted at RSA House and livestreamed for those joining from around the world, the event will spotlight those individuals who convene communities, champion positive change, and embody the values of the Fellowship.
This marks an exciting moment for the RSA as we honour excellence across our network, and we look forward to sharing more in the months ahead for what promises to be an inspiring December event.
RSA HOUSE
Fellows Lounge opens
We are delighted to introduce the new Fellows Lounge at RSA House – a dedicated space for Fellows.
Open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm, the lounge is designed as a relaxed and informal environment to connect, exchange ideas and spark collaboration. Whether you are looking for inspiration, conversation, or simply a quiet place to think, it offers a welcoming setting to make the most of your Fellowship.
Simply sign in at reception when you arrive. We look forward to welcoming you to the Fellows Lounge.
EVOLUTIONS
Tafflab: a legacy of enterprise
Founded in 2014, Tafflab gave young entrepreneurs from three further education colleges in the South Wales Valleys the financial support and mentoring to turn business ideas into reality.
The project was born from a conversation between Karen Phillips, Deputy Principal of Coleg y Cymoedd, and Dr Kathy Seddon, an RSA Fellowship councillor. They recognised that RSA Catalyst funding could fill a critical gap in enterprise education for communities still scarred by the decline of coal mining and manufacturing.
Over nearly 12 years, RSA Fellows were central to Tafflab’s success – interviewing applicants, providing hands-on mentoring and sharing hard-won business expertise. Student entrepreneurs built businesses in everything from artisan baking and theatrical makeup to PR, personal training and car maintenance.
Fellows guided them through pricing, marketing, tax, insurance and networking, with many crediting their mentor’s wisdom as the project’s single greatest benefit.
In 2026, the trustees made the decision to close Tafflab after having facilitated a transformation in enterprise education in Welsh FE colleges. As the trustees noted: if Tafflab were starting today, it wouldn’t be needed in the same way.
Correction
In Issue 1: 2026 of RSA Journal, the image credit for photographer Derrick Wess was inadvertently omitted from the article ‘All the right moves’.
We apologise for this oversight and are pleased to acknowledge the work of Wess, a London-based photographer whose work captures natural, authentic and compelling storytelling moments.
View his work on Instagram: @whatderricksees
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