Virginia Bottomley, secretary of state for national heritage, heads a lecture series on the theme “The Arts Matter” beginning at The Royal Society of Arts, John Adam Street, London WC2, on October 14 at 6pm. Other speakers include: Deborah Bull, principal dancer at the Royal Ballet; Ruth Mackenzie, executive director, Nottingham Playhouse; Richard Wentworth, sculptor; and Chuck Mike, theatre director and community artist, Lagos, Nigeria. The series is supported by the Arts Council of England and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and sponsored by Crayola. Tickets free but reservations essential on 0171 930 9286.