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The next Museums and Galleries Month, taking place in May 2005, will be based on the theme of ?Objects of Desire: the Art of Collecting?. An estimated one thousand museums and galleries will take part in the promotion, which aims to stimulate interest in both private and public collections. w: http://www.mgm.org.uk and http://www.may2005.org.uk

B>An online events calendar to highlight key arts dates and arts in education opportunities has been launched by the London Schools Arts Service. Artists and organisations are now invited to submit their own events online. w: http://www.lonsas.org.uk

The Theatre Royal Newcastle has announced a fifth consecutive year of audience growth across all artforms in its figures for the 2003/04 financial year. Forty-seven productions were presented, with 376 performances attracting 306, 346 patrons, and increased box office revenues contributed to an overall financial surplus.

The Big Mission Festival, a dedicated black dance festival, will take place in Birmingham in February. Designed to showcase the best in Black British dance, the event will include workshops, debates and presentations of new and established artists at The Crescent Theatre and The Patrick Centre, Birmingham. t: 0121 689 3079; e: [email protected]

Matt Charman?s ?A Night at the Dogs? has been announced as the winner of the £3,500 Verity Bargate Award 2004 for new playwrights. Previous winners include Toby Whithouse for ?Jump Mr Malinoff Jump? (1998) which opened Soho?s new theatre on Dean Street in 2000 and ?Kindertransport? (1994) by Diane Samuels.

A series of masterclasses which incorporate the work of magicians, musicians and academics is aiming to challenge the way creative professionals operate their businesses. Organised in Manchester by the Creative Industries Development Service, ?The Loop? is a programme of bi-monthly events to support established businesses in design, music, visual arts, fashion, architecture, film, broadcast, crafts, digital media, advertising, photography, performing arts, literature and video games. w: http://www.cids.co.uk

A public seminar designed to encourage UK debate on the challenges facing culture in an enlarged Europe will take place on January 28 at Chatham House in London. Speakers include Dr Garett Fitzgerald, former Prime Minister of Ireland, Ion Caramitru, the Romanian Shakespearean actor and former Minister of Culture and Patricia Quinn, Consultant and former Director, Arts Council, Ireland. t: 020 7403 0777;
e: [email protected].

The ISTD Dance Examinations Board?s Certificate in Dance Education and Foundation in Dance Instruction (FDI) have received accreditation from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). The qualifications offer opportunities for young people to study dance at a vocational level and for teachers wishing to update their skills and further their knowledge within the dance profession. t: 020 7377 1577; w: http://www.istd.org

A record of the final nine projects funded by the Science on Stage and Screen Programme has been published by the biomedical charity the Wellcome Trust. Through text, images and a DVD, ?Talking back to Science? provides an insight into the work of artists and scientists collaborating to explore biomedical science through performance, film and video. (ISBN 1841 290 52 1).