This panel discussion, in collaboration with the Open University, explores Terry Smith’s book Contemporary Art: World Currents (Laurence King, 2011). It was part of a launch for the book given by Sandy Nairne, Director of the National Portrait Gallery. Speakers include: art historians Terry Smith, Anthony Downey and Leon Wainwright, and Tessa Jackson, OBE, Director of the Institute for International Visual Arts (inIVA, London).

On Saturday 1st October 2011, as part of 'Rashid Rana: Everything Is Happening At Once' exhibition at The Cornerhouse, Manchester artist Rashid Rana was joined in conversation with David Elliott, a freelance international curator based in Hong Kong and Berlin. A small audience heard a presentation by the artist of his practice. The event was presented as part of the Asia Triennial Manchester 2011 with the support of the Lisson Gallery.

The Asia Triennial Manchester 2011 included the curatorial laboratory, founded by Alnoor Mitha and Leon Wainwright in 2010 and hosted by partner organisations throughout Manchester. On Saturday 1st October, during the opening weekend of ATM11, Sally Lai (Director of the Chinese Arts Centre, Manchester) convened a special session entitled ‘ATM Curatorial Lab: Open Space’. Rooms were kindly provided at the Kanaris Theatre, Manchester Museum, the University of Manchester.