Portraits by photographer Julia Hedgecoe of remarkable Cambridge-educated women are being displayed at the National Portrait Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London W1. Subjects include: MPs Anne Campbell and Diane Abbott, writer Claire Tomalin and television presenter Carol Vorderman. Aims of the exhibition include encouraging more applications for Cambridge University from female school-leavers. Free admission. Details: 0171 306 0055.

JANUARY 22-MARCH 21 DIY CINEMA: 100 YEARS OFHOME MOVIES

The talents of amateur filmmakers and their enthusiasm for documenting our world are celebrated at Hove Museum and Art Gallery, Brighton. Additionally, a touring exhibition, “Zoo: fantastic and crafty creatures”, runs until April 18, with related children’s events during half term and Easter holidays. Free admission. Details: 01273 290200. During the same period, Brighton Museum and Art Gallery is staging a display on “Mary Potter: a life of painting”. Free admission. Details: 01273 290900.

JANUARY 23-APRIL 18 MONET IN THE 20TH CENTURY

Monet’s late works, including glorious vistas of his garden at Giverny and atmospheric views of London and Venice, are on show at the Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, London W1. Piece de resistance is a group of seven monumental water lily panels never displayed together before. The education programme include workshops for primary and secondary students, gallery tours for school groups, guidebooks and a teachers’ pack. Details: 0171 300 573332.

JANUARY 26-MARCH 7 WICKED AND WONDERFUL

Mixed-media exhibition of unusual contemporary arts and crafts at the Mosaic Contemporary Art and Craft Gallery in Buxton, Derbyshire. Details: 01298 77557 (telfax).

JANUARY 29 VISION 99

The first national photographic day for students will be held at the Institute of Contemporary Arts and the Mall Galleries, London SW1. Organised by the British Journal of Photography and the Association of Photographers, it will feature seminars, careers advice, copyright issues and practical workshops. A pre-registration fee of pound;5 is payable. Details: 0171 306 7082; e-mail vision99@email.com JANUARY 29-MARCH 28 PICASSO AND PHOTOGRAPHY: THE DARK MIRROR AFRICA BY AFRICA: A PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEW

Picasso’s own photographic works along with images which influenced his artistic development are on display at the Barbican Centre, London, Silk Street, London EC2. Also on show are over 200 images from sub-Saharan Africa by more than 20 African photographers, including Seydou Keita, Samuel Fosso and Malick Sidibe. They range from vintage prints to recent colour photographs. Details: 0171 382 7105.

JANUARY 30 NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA: OPEN DAY

Young musicians in the East Midlands area, who play an orchestral instrument to Grade 5 standard and above, and instrumental teachers are invited to Northampton Music Centre for workshops and talks with NYO members. The NYO aims to encourage more students to apply for the orchestra. Grants are available for travel costs. The event has been co-organised by Northamptonshire Music Service. Registration details: 0117 960 0477.

JANUARY 30-MAY 2 REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE

An exhibition about modern China as seen through the eyes of nine figurative painters and a photographer is being held at the Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, to mark the 50th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. When it opens there will be family activities including the Chinese Lion Dance blessing and Chinese animal stories. At half term, February 15-20, Chinese New Year will be celebrated and children can join in workshops on calligraphy, music, Tai-chi, papermaking and mask, lantern and dragon-making. Free admission. Details: 0191 232 7734.

FEBRUARY 3 APPEAL: 1997 A-LEVEL ART

The Independent Appeals Authority for School Examinations will hear this appeal at 29 Bolton Street, London W1, at 10am. Open to the public. Details: 0171 509 5348.