Central Saint Martins Shows: Foundation - Everything you need to know

The Foundation Show will take place in the Lethaby Gallery at our King’s Cross site. Thousands of people come to Central Saint Martins during the end-of-year shows to see the work of our graduating students and meet them. It’s a wonderful time in the College calendar, but it's also the busiest time for our building, so it’s important that we all understand the process for ticketing, times, dates and who to contact with queries. Here's everything you need to know about our shows!

Key dates 

Previews: 

Tuesday 17 May and Wednesday 18 May, 6-9pm 
Last entry will be 8:30pm – please ensure you and your guests are inside by this point as you may not be able to re-enter past this time. If the gallery reaches capacity, there will be a one-in-one-out policy.

Show open to the public: 

Wednesday 18 – Saturday 21 May

• 18 May: 12-5pm
• 19 and 20 May: 12-8pm
• 21 May: 12-5pm

PAT testing small electrical items 

Some students will be selected to show physical work in the exhibition. If your show display includes electrical items, they will need to be PAT tested before they are installed. PAT testing is designed to check the wiring of electrical equipment for any defects that could be dangerous. The most common items in the shows are:

• Projectors
• Laptops/iPad/tablets with chargers
• TVs/monitors
• Extension cables
• DVD players

Joseph Legg will contact you to arrange PAT testing if required.

Preview tickets 

Preview tickets for Foundation students

We have a standard capacity for our gallery, which means that it will not be possible to accommodate all guests on one evening. Therefore, we have split the Previews over two days to allow more people to engage with your work. CSM Foundation students can request up to three tickets for the Previews - one for yourself and two for guests. All tickets will be digital and can be booked online.

Tickets are scanned on entry and will admit one person per ticket. If you have not received your tickets one week before the show, please email csmticketing@arts.ac.uk.

Preview tickets for students not exhibiting in the Foundation show 

CSM Undergraduate and Postgraduate students who are not exhibiting in the Foundation show, and students from other UAL colleges, are asked to attend the public opening 18–21 May, due to the limited capacity of the Lethaby Gallery.

Drinks

Please do not bring alcohol to the Previews as it contradicts our license. Drinks will be served in the Reception area.

Children 

Some work will be unsuitable for young children. It may be difficult to maneuver prams or buggies in certain show spaces, where possible please use a sling. There will be a buggy park located near the gallery during the public days, but not during the Previews. Please speak to an usher in the space.

Security 

During the showcase, you may be bringing expensive personal items and equipment into the building. Please take steps to protect your belongings, as the University cannot take responsibility for loss or damage of personal property. To keep your items safe, please remove or lock your valuables away when you are not present. Security staff will be stationed at key points around the building during the showcase. If you see anything suspicious, please report it to one of the officers.

Changes to building facilities and access during the Previews

From around 3.30pm on 17 May and from 5.30pm on 18 May, CSM Reception will be temporarily relocated to the Granary Foyer (the area opposite CSM Reception) so that the Foundation Preview can take place in the Lethaby Gallery and Reception area.

The Student Centre and Short Course enquires desk will also be situated in the Granary Foyer during this time.

Unfortunately, the CSM Reception telephone number will not be operational during this time. Please email reception@csm.arts.ac.uk if you have an urgent query.

Social media, press and editorial 

The communications team will be sharing your work throughout the show. If you have any questions about social media, please contact csmdigitalteam@arts.ac.uk. Follow #CSM2022 for all the latest on our shows!

The audience for the show will include press. If you have any questions about working with press, please contact CSM Media Relations Manager Jo Ortmans: j.ortmans@csm.arts.ac.uk.

Graduate Showcase 

The Central Saint Martins Shows IRL will be complemented by the online showcase at graduateshowcase.arts.ac.uk. Participating in the Graduate Showcase can help your work reach an even wider global audience, who might not be able to attend the exhibitions in person.

You can upload your work as soon as you’re ready. When your profile has been checked and approved, we will create a QR code to display beside your work in the building, which links to your Graduate Showcase profile. This will provide visitors with quick access to your contact details and more information about your work.

Visit the Graduate Showcase: Practical Info section of the UAL website for a video on how to upload your work to the online platform, as well as advice on writing about your work, making your work digitally accessible, protecting your intellectual property and more. Tutors will be available to help you present your work online and to advise you of the deadline for upload. They will also check and provide feedback if there are any improvements that you can make.