Working with galleries: part 1 is an informal and practical discussion with Ikon Gallery director Jonathan Watkins, providing insight into how relationships and working processes develop between artists, curators and public art galleries. Using Birmingham-based and international artists as examples, Jonathan will discuss how these working relationships begin, progress and develop and will also talk about his experiences as a selection panel member for art prizes, exhibitions and commissions. This is a rare opportunity for you to find out how large art institutions operate and there will also be time for your questions.

Via We Are Eastside.

Travel advice aside, arts and culture will be getting a foot in the door a few times over the duration, including this lot:

• Jonathan Watkins (Director of Ikon Gallery) has been invited by Jeremy Hunt MP to speak on Sunday. His speech will apparently “highlight the cultural wealth of Birmingham and promote Ikon’s ambition for the creation of a new museum of modern art in the city”
• Screen WM are putting on a fringe event called City as a Platform (reminiscent of the much-referenced, lesser read Dan Hill post) on Monday
• Ed Vaizey MP will be off and about on Monday. He’ll be officially opening Zellig and later on checking out BCU’s Skillset Media Academy
• Rosie Kay Dance Company will be performing Double Points: K at the Symphony Hall on Tuesday

There’s probably more happening too, but those are the ones I’ve come across.

I’ve also been invited, with a bunch of other local bloggers, to go and meet Sayeeda Warsi (Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party and Cabinet Minister without portfolio) and Andrew Mitchell (MP for Sutton Coldfield and Secretary of State for International Development) later today.