This week, Sam Wilkinson, Director of Public Art at UCL and Cultural and Community Engagement for UCL East, talks about her role communicating UCL’s impact to the wider public, her love of working outside traditional gallery spaces, and her work on UCL’s upcoming Bicentennial.
What is your role and what does it involve?
I’m the Director of Public Art at UCL and Cultural and Community Engagement for our UCL East campus. My role focuses on how artists can explore and express UCL’s identity and research through contemporary commissions, often linked to major capital projects like UCL East , ION/DRI , UCL 200 , or the redevelopment of the Cloisters.
I bring together a rich mix of cultural and community engagement, public programming and exhibitions to draw people into UCL. That includes helping to position UCL as a good neighbour to its communities and partners in east London.
Ultimately, my role is about communicating who UCL is and the impact of our research by bringing the campus to life through engaging, accessible work for both our community and the wider public.
How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role?
I joined UCL in 2017 on a two-year strategic project to explore the potential for art commissioning at UCL I wrote the policy and commissioned works like Rachel Whiteread’s piece for the Student Centre. Before UCL, I ran my own commissioning company, working with large scale mixed use development companies and with the University of Cambridge on the North West Cambridge development. I was also Curator-in-Residence for the Olympic Delivery Authority, where I commissioned a programme of socially engaged projects and commissioned the two artworks by Clare Woods and DJ Simpson that you can see close to One Pool Street at our UCL East campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
My focus has always been on working outside traditional galleries - in public spaces and with audiences who might not usually engage with contemporary art. I’m interested in artists who seek to explore and communicate complex ideas, like research, in accessible and meaningful ways.
What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?
It’s really hard to choose, but I’m exceptionally proud of everything we’ve achieved at UCL East. It pushed us to stretch ourselves with new methodologies and ways of working. However, I can say that the Trellis knowledge exchange programme , which is based at UCL East stands out. It’s an incredible model that we’ve been able to adapt for other initiatives, like Arbor for ION-DRI. These programmes see artists, academics and communities come together to deliver truly impactful projects, which has been incredibly rewarding. Then, even more powerfully, many of those collaborations have continued well beyond the original project. It shows how commissioning art can act as a spark - planting the seed for future research and new ways of thinking. This is how public art and engagement drives a shift in culture, by starting conversations.
Tell us about a project you are working on now which is top of your to-do list
At the top of my current priorities is UCL200. My team is reflecting on the past, present, and future of UCL through the lens of artistic engagement - exploring the many roles artists can play in shaping conversations about UCL’s identity, values, and aspirations. This includes commissioning new works that not only mark the bicentenary in 2026 but also resonate far beyond it.
Artists-in-residence are central to this work. Embedded within UCL, they will collaborate closely with staff and students, bringing unique creative perspectives to the learning environment. They are delving into our archives, research, and history to inspire thought-provoking new works. This initiative also celebrates the creative talents of our own community - not just academics but professional services colleagues too. Staff who have an art or creative practice degree are eligible to apply to create a permanent piece marking UCL’s 200th year.
Together, we’re reimagining spaces like the cloisters - alongside the reinstatement of artworks from the Museum Collections, we’ll be installing two permanent contemporary art commissions. The first for the cloisters and the second, intentionally set to be unveiled in 2027, ensures that the dialogue it sparks extends into the future. It’s a bold, forward-looking gesture - signalling what UCL aspires to carry into its next 200 years.
What is your favourite album, film and novel?
- Album: Dummy, Portishead
- Film: Diva (1981)
- Novel: Theresa Raquin, Emile Zola
What is your favourite joke (pre-watershed)?
A man walks into a bar... and says "ouch!"
Who would be your dream dinner guests?
Edvard Munch, Cary Grant, Anita Harding, James Anderson and Alex Horne.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I went freelance within a year of leaving university. It was right for me, but it’s a 24/7 job when you aren’t salaried. So, my advice to my younger self would be: Make sure you have time for yourself. Learn to say no, but maybe later - it’s something I’m still trying to coach in myself now.
What would it surprise people to know about you?
I’m completely passionate about cricket. I have even travelled all’over the world to watch it!
What is your favourite place?
- University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT (0) 20 7679 2000
