About SUP

SUP (Something Useful Project) is an artist-led international platform connecting artistic practice with education, cultural exchange, and public engagement.

Working across the UK, India, and Taiwan, SUP develops programmes, partnerships, and platforms that support artists while creating meaningful connections between disciplines, institutions, and communities.

Founded in 2011, SUP began as an international arts and culture organisation focused on artist residencies, supporting creative development, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and international exchange. Through partnerships with leading arts professionals and institutions, SUP developed tailored international residency programmes offering immersive experiences abroad, typically ranging from three to six months. These residencies foster professional growth while encouraging meaningful engagement with local art communities, including students, educators, and fellow practitioners.

Building on this foundation, SUP has evolved beyond a residency-based model into a wider platform that supports not only artistic production, but also the translation of creative practice into social, educational, and community contexts.

Today, SUP enables artists to experiment, collaborate across disciplines, and engage with diverse cultural contexts. This work supports the development of long-term cultural ecosystems across different contexts.

Art as a method for connection, exchange, and impact.

Our Approach

At the core of SUP is the belief that art is not only an outcome, but a method — a way of thinking, connecting, and engaging with the world.

We operate through three interconnected structures:

SUP — Create
Supporting artistic practice through residencies, research, and cross-disciplinary collaboration

SUA — Translate
Something Useful Association (Taiwan)
Extending artistic practice into education, community engagement, and public-facing programmes

SUP LAB — Experiment
An ongoing platform for experimentation, collaboration, and the development of artistic practice

Together, they form a continuous flow: Creation → Translation → Experimentation → Social Impact

What We Do in Practice

Our work includes:

  • International artist residency programmes

  • Cross-cultural exchange and institutional partnerships

  • Workshops, seminars, and education-led programmes

  • Exhibitions and public engagement projects

Our Direction

SUP is committed to building a long-term, practice-led platform that bridges artistic creation and social engagement.

We prioritise depth over scale, focusing on sustained collaboration, long-term partnerships, and continuous development.

Our team

SUP operates through a small, focused team working across artistic direction, programme development, and platform building.

With experience spanning the UK, India, and Taiwan, the team brings together artistic, educational, and organisational expertise to develop programmes, partnerships, and long-term cultural initiatives.

  • Damian Rayne

    FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

    Damian Rayne founded SUP in 2011 and leads its overall direction, shaping its artistic vision, strategic development, and international partnerships.

    His work focuses on building long-term structures that support artistic practice, collaboration, and cross-cultural exchange. Through initiatives including SUP, The Muse Gallery, and XYZ Gallery, he has developed platforms that connect artists, institutions, and communities across contexts.

  • Sangita Mistry

    PROGRAMME ADVISOR & ARTIST LIAISON

    Sangita Mistry has been involved with SUP since its early development and plays a key role in supporting artists and programme delivery across international contexts.

    With a background in art psychotherapy, photography, and education, she works closely with artists and partner institutions to facilitate meaningful exchange and ensure programmes are responsive to local cultural contexts, particularly across the UK and India.

  • Samantha Y Huang

    CO-DIRECTOR TAIWAN

    Samantha Y Huang leads the development of SUP Taiwan, focusing on strategy, partnerships, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

    Her work centres on translating artistic practice into local contexts through SUA (Something Useful Association Taiwan), connecting institutions, organisations, and communities across Taiwan.

    Working across SUP and SUP LAB, she contributes to the development of an integrated system that links artistic creation, public engagement, and ongoing experimentation.

  • Amit Rai Sharma

    CO-DIRECTOR TAIWAN

    Amit Rai Sharma brings over 20 years of experience in artist-led project development and community-based practice in the UK.

    At SUP Taiwan, he focuses on programme design and delivery, developing residency structures that support experimentation, dialogue, and exchange.

    His work ensures that programmes are both artist-focused and structurally grounded, contributing to the development of SUP LAB and the wider system.

Explore Programmes

SUP develops residencies, public programmes, and collaborative projects that connect artistic practice with education, cultural exchange, and public engagement.

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Explore SUP LAB

SUP develops residencies, public programmes, and collaborative projects that connect artistic practice with education, cultural exchange, and public engagement.

Learn more →

Engage with SUA

SUA (Taiwan) develops public and educational initiatives that connect artistic practice with education, community, and society.

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Start a conversation

If you are interested in collaborating with SUP, we would be glad to hear from you.

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