Victoria and Albert Museum - May events at the V&A

MAY HALF-TERM Saturday 28 May – Sunday 5 June,  10.30 – 17.00 The John Madejski Garden in fine weather and the Learning Centre Join us for May half-term to create unusual architectural structures and be immersed in the dance of the robot. Activities inspired by the Elytra Filament Pavilion in The John Madejski Garden.Read more (Search for May Half-Term). #vamEngineeringSeason

BELLA FREUD IN CONVERSATIONFriday 6 May, 19.00 – 20.45 Fashion designer Bella Freud is renowned for her graphic word knits and sharp tailoring. Join Bella in conversation with SHOWStudio's Lou Stoppard as she talks through her career highlights so far. Read more and book Includes wine reception   SAVAGE BEAUTY - ONE YEAR ON - WITH THE SARABANDE FOUNDATION Friday 13 May, 19.00 – 20.45 Lee Alexander McQueen established Sarabande to support those who are fearless in their approach to creativity. One year on from the Museum’s#SavageBeauty exhibition, Sarabande Foundation Patron Tim Blanks will be talking to Trustee Trino Verkade, designer Craig Green, Patron Shaun Leane and photographer Nick Knight on the ways of reconciling creativity with commerce.  Read more and book Includes wine reception   STEPHEN WEBSTER - A LIFE SHAPED BY JEWELLERYMonday 16 May, 19.00 – 20.45 British-born Stephen Webster MBE is one of the most prominent jewellery designers of his generation. Join him for an honest and inspiring recollection of his career. Read more and book Includes wine reception

CREATE! COSTUME DESIGNS Saturday 14 May, 11.00 – 16.00 (13–15 years) Saturday 21 May, 11.00 – 16.00 (16–19 years) Working to a design brief, find out how professional costume designers present their design ideas. Working with designer Dean Blunkell, create a selection of drawn costume designs. Read more and book    SAMSUNG DIGITAL CLASSROOM: BRANDING AND SOCIAL MEDIASaturday 28 May, 10.30 – 17.00 Work with industry experts to discover the most effective way to promote yourself, your brand and work through social media. Read more and book     EAST ASIAN CERAMICSSaturday 14 & Sunday 15 May, 11.00 – 16.00 Discover East Asian Ceramics inour collection, from neolithic earthenwares and the first porcelaineaous wares to complex forms and glazes which placed them at the forefront of ceramic technology. Read more and book     SOFT CIRCUITRY: SEW YOUR OWN INTERACTIVE TOY Friday 20 May, 10.30 – 17.00 Join Codasign to create a soft circuit toy using conductive thread and fabric. Read more and book   DIGITAL PAPER JEWELLERY Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 May, 10.30 – 17.00 Create unique pieces of paper jewellery combining analogue and digital processes in this two-day course. Read more and book    BOTTICELLI CONFERENCE Friday 13 & Saturday 14 May, 10.30 – 17.00 To coincide with our Botticelli Reimaginedexhibition, this two-day international conference will explore our perception of Botticelli's artistic practice, legacy and fame, as well as its impact and reception from the fifteenth century to the present. Read more and book  #BotticelliReimagined   COLLECTING FUTURE JAPAN Friday 27 May, 10.00 – 17.30 This one-day international conference will examine emerging trends in Japanese design and consider what kinds of objects museums such as the V&A should be collecting now and in the future. Read more and book ANNIE NIGHTINGALE AND LAUREN LAVERNE  Tuesday 24 May, 19.00 – 20.00 Multiple award winner Annie Nightingale is best known as Britain's first female DJ on BBC Radio 1. She will be discussing her life and career with fellow broadcaster and Co-Creator of The Pool, Lauren Laverne. Read more and book     OPEN STUDIOS Ever wondered what it’s like inside an artist’s studio, where designers or architects get their great ideas from, or how makers produce their final piece? Meet our residents and find out how to apply for a studio space. Read more   ART AND EXISTENCE: THE DANCEHALL ART OF WILFRED LIMONIOUS Thursday 26 May, 14.30 – 16.00 In the early 1980s Jamaican popular music underwent a paradigm shift with the emergence of a new musical style: Dancehall. A quiet observant newspaper cartoonist called Wilfred Limonious became one of the primary visual architects of this movement. Read more Free, booking essential   ALSO IN LONDON... THE HOUSE FAIR22 – 25 June  The HOUSE Fair presents a stunning collection of over 100 interior brands, beautiful room sets and inspirational ideas for your home. Enjoy 25% off* tickets – Quote VA16. Tickets include entry to the Spirit of Summer Fair. Read more *25% off excludes transaction fee of £2.20 and is based on the on-the-door ticket price of £20.