About

Welcome to MK Gallery. We are a public gallery with free admission. We are a purpose-built venue for changing exhibitions of international contemporary visual art.

MK Gallery

MK Gallery commissioned facade by Pushwagner, 2012

MK Gallery commissioned facade by Pushwagner, 2012

Our Mission Statement

MK Gallery provides access to high quality, innovative and thought-provoking contemporary art from around the world. In its programme MK Gallery stimulates participation and debate, building relationships between artists and audiences.

Brief History

MK Gallery presents free, changing exhibitions of exceptional art. Renowned for its exhibitions of international contemporary art, the gallery’s programme is diversifying to include historical shows alongside the contemporary.

MK Gallery was founded in Central Milton Keynes in 1999 as part of a major theatre and gallery complex. While the theatre has become one of the most successful outside of London, the gallery opened with a solo show by Gilbert & George and has presented a very broad range of exhibitions, from Archigram to Gilberto Zorio via Michael Craig-Martin, Nasreen Mohamedi, Piranesi and Andy Warhol. The Gallery tours its exhibitions to international partners across the world, is a regular publisher, and producer of a dynamic and diverse public programme, working closely with local schools and community groups.

MK Gallery is part of the Arts Council’s National Portfolio and a member of the Plus Tate network.

MK Gallery is undertaking a major capital expansion. This will see the current building double in size and the creation of new cultural facilities in Milton Keynes. The Gallery and its programmes will be transformed through doubled exhibition spaces for historical as well as contemporary art, a multi-purpose auditorium - for film, music, dance and other activities -overlooking the city’s green spaces, a dedicated learning and community space, excellent access facilities and a welcoming new café bar and shop.

Working on a design by award-winning 6a architects, the expansion is being delivered by main contractor, Bowmer & Kirkland with project management and contract administration by Jackson Coles. The Gallery will reopen in early 2019. 

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 presents a monthly programme of exhibitions aiming to inspire, excite and challenge people to collaborate, and explore different forms of creative learning. Created for, and by, members of the local community, the programme is intended to contribute to the cultural growth of Milton Keynes, encouraging collaboration between educators, artists, groups and local residents. In turn exhibitions reflect Milton Keynes - its design, social history, future ambitions and more importantly its communities.

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. 

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 Independent Cinema MK 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

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
Communications and 
Marketing Manager

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

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

Katie Fields
Visitor Experience Coordinator
kfields@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558 317

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 will be the Gallery’s Company Secretary from June 2017. He is a Principal in the Real Estate department at EMW LLP. A significant part of David’s recent work has been centred on Stadium MK.

Cllr Liz Gifford

Cllr Liz Gifford is a Labour councillor for Stony Stratford Ward and the MK Council Cabinet member with responsibility for Community Services.  She has 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.

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

Building Steering Group 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 as is a Director at UniCredit Bank AG having previously worked in a number of locations across the world.

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.

Exhibitions Coordinator

Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

£20,000 - £23,000 per annum depending on experience

MK Gallery’s Exhibitions Coordinator supports the Exhibitions Manager to arrange the practical organisation and delivery of the artistic programme, including touring exhibitions. They contribute to the production of catalogues, supports exhibition-related funding applications and assists with writing interpretation material for the programme. There will be opportunities for career development and curatorial/editorial/programming experience. 

The application process for this post is by CV and written statement. Your CV and written statement will be judged against the person specification, which is the list of requirements for this post. 

Download an information pack: PDF / Word

Please submit your CV and statement and recruitment monitoring form by 10am on Monday 25 June to Kate Chadwick, Deputy Director, MK Gallery, 3 Theatre Walk, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 3PX. Or email to kchadwick@mkgallery.org.

Call for Associate Artists: Inclusive Practice in the Arts


MK Gallery is currently recruiting for an expanded team of freelance Associate Artists to work with learning staff on the delivery of MK Gallery’s Inclusive Practice in the Arts programme. This new strand includes the recently launched Arts and Us, a weekly programme for families with children aged 5+ with complex needs. In particular we are keen to hear from artists whose practice complements and can support the development of Art and Us. Currently this programme runs on Sunday mornings from 10:30-12:30. Associate Artists facilitate on a regular rotation with up to four artists working in any given session with their individual families. Art and Us builds upon the Gallery's long-term partnership with Hastings-based organisation Project Art Works, who work to create meaningful arts engagement with individuals with profound disabilities. A CPD programme for Art and Us Associate Artists is embedded within the delivery structure and encourages artists to invest fully in the development of their practice in this area of work.

Download an information pack: PDF / Word

Please submit your CV, statement and recruitment monitoring form by 9am on Friday 6th July, to Kate Chadwick, Deputy Director, MK Gallery, 3 Theatre Walk, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 3PX. Or email to kchadwick@mkgallery.org. 

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 11th July.

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.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering - currently all of MK Gallery's voluntary placements are full. Please check back in the future when we will reopen applications. 

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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