On 8 May at the John Hansard Gallery, Southampton: "Landscape and Photography" – a discussion to coincide with an exhibition of aerial photographs of landscape by OGS Crawford with speakers Kitty Hauser, Research Fellow at University of Sydney, curator of the Crawford exhibition, Matthew Johnston. Professor of Archaeology at University of Southampton, Jem Southam, Professor of Art and Media, University of Plymouth and Roger Palmer, Professor of Fine Art at the University of Leeds. www.hansardgallery.org.uk
On Friday 9 May, the V&A, London, will host China and the Creative Industries, a discussion on the future of the creative industries, with political commentator Will Hutton, author of The Writing on the Wall: China and the West in the 21st Century and Philip Dodd, Chair of Made in China (and linked to the V&A exhibition China Design Now). Visit www.vam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/whatson/events_mgr.pl for details.
On Thursday 15 May Sport and Art – A Clash of Cultures? at the National Portrait Gallery, chaired by Gallery Director Sandy Nairne, will consider whether sport and art can coexist and complement each other. Speakers include Keith Khan, Director of Culture at the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, former England football manager, Graham Taylor and writer and broadcaster Munira Mirza. Further information at www.npg.org.uk/live/mayeve.asp
On Friday 16 May, Renaissance North West are organising a debate at URBIS on the theme Do Museums Matter? to launch the Manchester Museums at Night weekend. Professor Jennifer Latto, Chair of HLF North West Committee will chair the debate and Maria Balshaw, Director, Whitworth Art Gallery and Vaughan Allan, Chief Executive of URBIS will participate. For more information contact Jennie Crawford at j.crawford@manchester.gov.uk.
On Monday 19 May, The Changing Lives Conference at Thinktank, Birmingham, organised by Renaissance West Midlands, aims to show how museums and galleries can change lives. The day will highlight the achievements of Renaissance West Midlands, promote forward thinking and include interactive sessions on building a website and creative programming for families. For details contact Susannah Penn on 0121 303 4778 or Susannah_Penn@birmingham.gov.uk
On Thursday 22 May, Innovation to Reduce Carbon Emissions at the Dana Centre at the Science Museum, London will highlight the need for innovators to respond to climate change, giving young entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their innovations to reduce carbon emissions to a panel of experts, including Chris Rapley, Director of the Science Museum, who will comment on their ideas and invite the audience to vote for the best innovation. www.danacentre.org.uk
On Thursday 29 May - Can design save your life? at the Wellcome Collection London, organised with The Art Fund, will explore how innovations in design are improving and challenging the world of medicine. The panel will be chaired by journalist and curator Henrietta Thompson and will include Ken Arnold, Head of Public Programmes, Wellcome Trust and Jim Dawton, Pearson Matthews, known for innovation in healthcare products. www.artfund.org/whatson/arthappens.html
Please tell us about your MGM debate or discussion, so it can be included in publicity. You will find ideas for topics to debate and a toolkit on organising an MGM debate in the organiser’s section.
The MGM debates programme is supported by London Calling.
