The Academy’s aim is to create an inspiring, informative yet relaxed environment where lecturers, members and their guests can enjoy a learning and social experience around a series of lectures and courses drawn from all areas of the arts and science.

These events will take place at the Academy located in London’s Notting Hill and will include a lecture, Question and Answer session and a light supper afterwards.

Lectures will be kept to an intimate maximum number of 60 participants. They will be held in the Dilletante Room on the ground floor, whilst a light supper will be offered in the Decadante Room on the Academy’s upper floor, in an eclectic setting recalling the atmosphere of literary salons of the past.

Founder members will be invited to propose new members to the Academy. Members will be encouraged to participate in the development of the lecture and courses programme.

Initially the Academy will offer one to two lectures per week plus a series of events and film nights. We will soon launch our fortnightly newsletter. The full programme is available on the Academy website (www.millersacademy.co.uk). Doors will open at 18.45; lectures will start at 19.30, lasting about 45 minutes to an hour, followed by a light supper. Evenings will conclude at 23.00.

Lectures series will cover such topics as ‘Ten great philosophers’, ‘Investing in contemporary art’ as well as one-off lecture series covering subjects from ‘Face transplants: the ultimate plastic surgery?’, ‘Witchcraft: the naked truth’ to Peter Bergen on his latest book on Bin Laden. Other evening formats will range from ‘Conversations with?’ leading authors, artists and personalities to ‘Head to head’ debates. Details on courses will follow shortly.

The Academy is the brainchild of Martin Miller, well known for his low threshold of boredom and for creating quirky but often inspiring concepts. Born out of necessity, the Academy will offer a great way to feed mind, body and spirit.