Leading cultural figures will examine the future of arts and creativity in brand new Glasgow lecture series

November 2011 - March 2012

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

Featuring Sir Clive Gillinson, Michael Boyd and Dr Aleks Krotoski

Some of the world's leading cultural figures will visit Glasgow between November and March to reflect on future directions in the arts and creativity in a brand new series of lectures at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Created by Glasgow Life and the University of Glasgow, The Glasgow Lectures on Culture will mark twenty-one years since Glasgow's reign as European City of Culture with talks by Sir Clive Gillinson, Michael Boyd and Dr Aleks Krotoski.

The series launches on 21st November, when Carnegie Hall's Executive and Artistic Director Sir Clive Gillinson will examine the funding of the arts in Europe and America. After spending the early part of his career with the London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Clive took up position at Carnegie Hall in 2005. He has made a dramatic impact on the New York arts scene, reinvigorating the venue's artistic and education programmes as well as forging groundbreaking partnerships with other cultural institutions in the city, such as MOMA, the Guggenheim and the Metropolitan Museum.

Michael Boyd is best known to Glasgow audiences for his eleven-year tenure as founding artistic director of the Tron Theatre, and in February 2012 he returns to the city to give his take on producing theatre on both sides of the Atlantic. He became associate director of the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1996, and artistic director in 2002, transforming its fortunes and taking the company from strength to strength. He recently announced his intention to step down at the end of next year, following a highly successful decade at the helm of the RSC.

In March 2012, one of the most influential commentators on the roles of technology and interactivity in our lives today - Dr Aleks Krotoski - brings the first series of The Glasgow Lectures on Culture to a close. The journalist, presenter and academic has written extensively on new media since 1999, and will examine the impact of the internet and social media on our social life in the closing talk of the series.

The lecture series has been created and directed by Philip Schlesinger and Mark O'Neill, and is supported by the Centre for Cultural Policy Research, Glasgow Life, the Cultural Olympiad and Creative Scotland.

Dr Mark O'Neill, Director of Policy, Research & Development at Glasgow Life, said:

"In the 21st anniversary of Glasgow's reign as European Capital of Culture, there is good evidence that the city has benefited hugely from its investment in the cultural and creative industries. Culture and Heritage are a significant factor in bringing 2.4 million tourists to the city, while local audiences have increased to above the Scottish average. The sector accounts for 34,550 jobs in the city. We cannot be complacent however and to remain competitive we must learn from the best international examples."

Professor Philip Schlesinger, Professor in Cultural Policy and Director of the Centre for Cultural Policy Research at the University of Glasgow, said:

"Glasgow has an amazing cultural footprint and this is a conversation intended to match it. This first series of lectures is being launched for the general public to open up regular discussion across the whole range of art forms and creative practices that we're lucky enough to enjoy here."

Tickets are on sale now and are £8 each or £21 for all three talks.
Tickets are available online at www.glasgowconcerthalls.com or 0141 353 8000

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