About

Welcome to MK Gallery. Reopening in spring 2019 following a major expansion, MK Gallery will take its place in the heart of Milton Keynes as a destination to explore and experience a world-class arts programme.

MK Gallery

MK Gallery Sky Room under construction. Photo Derek Wales

The Sky Room under construction. Photo Derek Wales

Inspired by the unique history of Milton Keynes, the new building, designed by renowned architects 6a, is an iconic feature of the city skyline. The view of the building from Campbell Park is not to be missed when you visit.

Changing exhibitions of international art will sit across five large, beautiful gallery spaces. Cutting edge contemporary art will be displayed alongside Old Masters to present a dynamic, diverse and stimulating programme.

The Sky Room offers stunning views over Campbell Park and beyond while bringing the best contemporary film, experimental concerts, thought provoking lectures and a range of comedy nights to the city centre. 

For families, we have weekly art workshops – Start the Art and Saturday Studio – and lots of other exciting programmes throughout the year. Adjacent to the building is the City Club Playscape – an artist designed play area – which will be open 365 days a year for children to play, learn and enjoy.

There’s a place to meet friends, have a pre-theatre meal or refuel too – the MK Gallery Café Bar will serve mouth-watering snacks, delicious, freshly-cooked meals, a great cup of coffee and has a fully licensed bar.

MK Gallery works with partners locally, nationally and internationally to bring the best cultural activities into the region. The Gallery is part of the Arts Council’s National Portfolio and a member of the Plus Tate network.

Learning Programme

MK Gallery Learning Programme

School workshop led by MK Gallery

MK Gallery delivers a successful Learning Programme encouraging curiosity, enquiry and exchange through a direct contact with artists and their practice.  The programme, shaped by a team of 26 Associate Artists, encourages the playful and experimental whilst grounded in a strong understanding of how children experience the world. In particular we seek to nurture children and young people’s creative potential, offering a substantial programme from early childhood to young adults devised with a strong belief that every individual has the right to experience and enjoy the arts.

Project Space

The Project Space aims are to inspire, excite and challenge people to collaborate and explore different forms of creative learning. Created for, and by, members of the local community, this programme is intended to contribute to the cultural growth of Milton Keynes, encouraging collaboration between educators, artists, groups and local residents. The Learning Team seeks to host exhibitions that engage with, or are culturally relevant to, Milton Keynes, connecting with social history themes, future ambitions and more importantly the needs and interests of local communities. For past Project Space exhibitions please visit here. 

Please visit the Jobs and Opportunities section below to find out how to submit an exhibition proposal. 

Schools, Further Education and Groups

We strive for high quality creative encounters that encourage the nurturing of an innate curiosity in children and young people. The programme provides experiences that extend the enjoyment of the arts and children’s creative possibilities beyond the traditional classroom setting. Find out more 

Families

Our successful Family Programme provides regular activities supported by our friendly Learning Team and Associate Artists.
See What's On

Young People

MK Gallery invites young people to take part in exciting opportunities to explore, create, debate and initiate cultural projects and events. Our programmes support young people to experience the arts through a direct contact with artists and their practice. 
The Secret Self(ie) Project

Communities

We enjoy connecting with Milton Keynes’ diverse communities through dialogue, exchange, and testing new ways of working together.  Our Learning Team strive to build new friendships with individuals and groups interested in starting a conversation or asking a question.

Support Us

Pushwagner preview image. Photo: Derek Wales

MK Gallery has been serving local communities since 1999. We take pride in the quality of our work - striving to bring exceptional artists, speakers and creative opportunities to Milton Keynes. 

MK Gallery relies upon the generosity of our audiences and supporters to continue to deliver inclusive and exciting arts opportunities. There are many ways to support the Gallery.

If you would like to discuss making a donation, please email support@mkgallery.org or call 01908 558318.

MK Gallery follows the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice.  

How you can support

We offer a number of ways in which you can get involved, whether this is through a one-off donation or an annual membership.  Find out more

How your company can support

Alongside our Corporate Patrons scheme, we offer bespoke opportunities for companies to support us, including naming rights, sponsorship packages and Charity of the Year opportunities. Find out more

Thank You

MK Gallery gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the funders, trusts and foundations, corporate supporters, individual donors and those who wish to remain anonymous. Your contributions have made our work possible. Thank you. Find out more

Events Programme

Soapbox March 2018. Photo Derek Wales

MK Gallery’s dynamic, cross disciplinary events programme provides audiences with a range of inspiring arts and cultural experiences alongside opportunities to engage more deeply with our exhibitions and offsite projects.  Developed and delivered in collaboration with local, national and international partners, the programme supports the growth of a vibrant, creative community locally whilst also channelling new work and ideas, across artistic disciplines, into Milton Keynes from around world. 

Talks, Conferences & Workshops

MK Gallery regularly stages talks by artists, curators and academics to deepen understanding and engagement with our exhibitions and offsite projects. Alongside this, we work closely with external partners to present associated talks, conferences and workshops on a broader range of subjects and interests, but with a specific focus on themes that connect directly to the heritage and future development of Milton Keynes. 

Film

MK Gallery is proud to partner with Curzon Cinemas to bring the best in contemporary film to audiences in Milton Keynes. Whether this is the latest breakthrough indie, a cutting edge documentary, award winning world cinema, or a heart-warming children’s animation, we pride ourselves on carefully crafting an accessible programme that provides multiple entry points into the world of cinema beyond the mainstream.  See what's on. 

Music 

Music and sound have been an integral part of the events programme since its inception. Working with both emerging and establish artists, across genres, we have forged a reputation for presenting concerts that forefront experimentation. In 2017, we helped to establish OUTLANDS, a new national experimental music touring network with nine partners across the UK to further increase awareness of this area of artistic practice and open up opportunities for regional audiences to engage and participate.

Staff team and contact details

Director



Anthony Spira
aspira@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558310


Exhibitions and Programmes



Fay Blanchard
Exhibitions Manager
fblanchard@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558303

Elizabeth Brown
Exhibitions Coordinator
ebrown@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558308

Simon Wright
Curator of Public Programmes
swright@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558309

Niki Braithwaite
Creative Producer, City Club
nbraithwaite@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558304



Learning

Victoria Mayes
Head of Learning
vmayes@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558 327
 
Tara Page
Learning Manager
tpage@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558 315
 
Bethany Mitchell
Curator of Inclusion
bmitchell@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558 319
 
Jonny Hill
Learning Coordinator
jhill@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558 306

Development and Communications


Hywel Jones
Head of Development
and Communications

hjones@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558 313

Aimee Holmes
Marketing and 
Content Manager

aholmes@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558 302

Ellie Walsh
Fundraising Manager
ewalsh@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558 312

Operations

Kate Chadwick
Deputy Director
kchadwick@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558 321

Emma Pounder
Finance Administrator
finance@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558 328

Jo Trotter
Visitor Experience Manager
jtrotter@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558 310

Jamie Aylard
Facilities and Technical Manager
jaylard@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558 318

Governance

MK Gallery is governed by a voluntary board. Its current members are:

Kevin Bowsher

Diversity Portfolio Holder

Kevin is the Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Network Rail and has held similar roles for the 2012 Olympics and the Metropolitan Police.

Will Cousins

Chairman

A Partner at David Lock Associates, Will has been a member of the Board since 2004. Will was appointed Chairman of the Board at the Company's AGM on 13th November 2008.

David Danskin

Legal Portfolio Holder

David joined the Board in 2017 and is the Gallery’s Company Secretary. He recently retired from a position of Principal in the Real Estate department at EMW LLP. A significant part of David’s recent work has been centred on Stadium MK.

Liz Gifford

Liz Gifford is a former Labour councillor for Stony Stratford Ward and was the MK Council Cabinet member with responsibility for Community Services.  She has also held a number of senior posts in teaching and economic development.

Cllr David Hopkins

Cllr David Hopkins is a Conservative councillor for Danesborough and Walton Ward and Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee.

David King

Commercial Portfolio Holder

David joined the Board in 2017. David is a Chartered Surveyor and has 34 years real estate experience. David has a considerable track record in the acquisition, management and sale of Central London retail investments and will support the Gallery to develop new shop and catering offers in the expanded building.

Cllr Peter Marland

Cllr Peter Marland is Leader of MK Council and one of the three Labour Councillors representing the Wolverton Ward. Peter studied Politics at the University of Liverpool and has worked in both the public and private sector.

Cllr Jennifer Marklew

Cllr Jennifer Marklew is a Labour councillor for Stony Stratford Ward and joined the Board in June 2018

Ruby Mutlow

Young People’s Portfolio Holder

Ruby joined the Board in 2017. She grew up in Milton Keynes and was a member of the Gallery’s Lost&Found young people’s project. She currently works at West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds within the Creative Engagement Department.

Mark Rayner

Finance Portfolio Holder

Mark joined the Board in 2017. He is a Chartered Accountant and a Partner at Keens Shay Keens MK LLP.

Neil Smith

Vice Chair and Building Committee Chair

Neil Smith retired from a senior role at John Laing Investments in 2012 after a 47 year career with the company and brings a wealth of experience in capital development to the Board.

Douglass Welch

Douglass Welch works within the international financial investment sector and has worked in a number of locations across the world including most recently as a Director at UniCredit Bank AG.

Sunita Yeomans

Communications Portfolio Holder

Sunita is Co-Founder of graphic design agency SSHY Creative Ltd. She was previously Head of Creative at Tesco PLC and Argos Ltd.

Opportunities and Jobs

Andrea Büttner, installation view, MK Gallery, 2013. Photo © Andy Keate

We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us here at MK Gallery. The enormous input and support we receive from our employees is central to our success as one of the UK's leading public galleries.

Visitor Experience Assistant

Flexible hours / £9 per hour

We are looking for Visitor Experience Assistants to support the delivery of all visitor services and building operations at MK Gallery including box office, retail and events. The successful candidates will also support the implementation of health & safety policy across the site, under the supervision of the Duty Manager/Visitor Experience Manager.

Please download an information pack for more information. 

Please visit Reed to apply. 


Submit a Project Space Proposal

The Project Space exhibitions programme is considered through a combination of selected proposals, invitations and collaborations. All exhibition proposals submitted by both individuals and groups must be based on a collaborative, learning based process. Proposals for solo/group artist exhibitions which do not demonstrate socially engaged practice(s) will not be considered. All proposals will be assessed individually against themes and exhibiting criteria.  There is no age limit for applicants and proposals are invited from individuals and groups based in, or linked to, Milton Keynes and the surrounding region (within a 25 mile radius) only.

How to make an application:
After reading the Project Space pack please email learning@mkgallery.org with a short statement (two sides of A4 max) or short film outlining your proposal for a Project Space exhibition as per the submission guidelines.

Commitment to equality and diversity

MK Gallery aims to have a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds and cultures and can provide the relevant knowledge, abilities and skills for the organisation. 

Anyone who meets the requirements of this job is eligible for employment within MK Gallery irrespective of age, disability, employment status, gender, health, marital status, sexual preference, membership or non-membership of a trade union, nationality, race, religion, social class or other non-job-relevant personal characteristics.

We make every effort to eliminate discrimination, direct and indirect, from our recruitment and selection process. Where applicable, reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment and selection process as required to reduce any potential barriers faced by applicants and to give them equal access to employment opportunities. For an informal conversation about working at MK Gallery please contact Kate Chadwick at kchadwick@mkgallery.org or on 01908 558321.

Volunteering

Guests at the preview of Treasures in MK, 2014

Guests at the preview of Treasures in MK, 2014

Volunteers are the lifeblood of any organisation. MK Gallery’s volunteer programme aims to provide anyone with an interest in contemporary art valuable experience working in a creative environment at one of the UK’s major contemporary art venues.

MK Gallery reopens to the public on Saturday 16 March following a major development that will see double the exhibition space of the previous building, a new purpose-built auditorium that will show independent film and host live events, and a new dedicated learning studio. 

The range of roles include gallery invigilators, ushers for film and events, learning support and marketing opportunities.  Find out more about the opportunities available by visiting mkgallery.volunteermakers.org.


With thanks to volunteers past and present for their time and support.

Current Volunteers: Tatiana Birch, Claudette Brooker, Stephanie Iceton, Victoria Johns, Marjorie Mackintosh, Simon Thomas, Lee Varley, Marcus Wheeler

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