MK Gallery exterior by 6a architects, featuring City Club by Gareth Jones and Nils Norman.

About

MK Gallery brings world-class exhibitions and events together with pioneering learning and community programmes to Milton Keynes.

An independent café and shop, cinema from Curzon, and spectacular views over Campbell Park feature in this expanded building, which launched in 2019.

Three major exhibitions are presented each year across five elegant and spacious galleries, from thematic group exhibitions to in-depth solo presentations. Alongside our exhibitions, we offer workshops, talks and conferences, mixing emerging and locally based talent with established names. We also deliver a weekly film programme featuring the best of independent cinema in partnership with Curzon. We offer schools and family activities throughout the year and our artist-designed play area is open 365 days a year.

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.

Exhibitions

Three major exhibitions are presented each year across five elegant and spacious galleries, from thematic group exhibitions to in-depth solo presentations.

Exhibitions Archive

Events

We welcome everyone and offer an array of activities and workshops – from school visits and guided tours to weekly courses, clubs and classes for a range of age groups.

What's On

Venue Hire

There are a range of rooms throughout the Gallery that host a variety of different events – from conferences to private receptions, weddings to Christmas parties, banqueting to BBQs, seminars to corporate team building, and everything in between. 

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Events Programme

MK Gallery’s dynamic, multi 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.

Exhibitions

Three major exhibitions are presented each year across five elegant and spacious galleries, from thematic group exhibitions to in-depth solo presentations.

Talks, Conferences and 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.

Cinema

MK Gallery is proud to partner with Curzon Cinemas to bring the best in contemporary film to 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.

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.

Our Team

Director: Anthony Spira
Deputy Director: Francis Nielsen
Head of Events and Catering: Andrew Papworth
Events Coordinator: Luke Rawlinson
Head Chef: Ben Montgomery
Catering Assistant: Efe Emenuwe
Head of Exhibitions: Fay Blanchard
Exhibitions Coordinator: Madeleine Jordan
Head of Marketing and Audience Development: Cherelle Cunningham
Marketing Manager: Angus Norton
Producer, Public Programmes (Inclusion): Sophie Bennett
Inclusion Coordinator: Rosie May
Inclusion Coordinator: Jack Keenan
Volunteer Coordinator: Emma Barford
Facilities Manager: Jamie Aylard
House Manager: Patrick Phillips
House Coordinators: Caine Bunn, Monika Lorincova, Diana Volokha, Xander Webster
Retail Coordinators: Judy Kendrick-Simonsen, Julia Roach

Governance

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

Liz Gifford
Chair

Neil Smith
Vice Chair

Sas Amoah, Cllr Robin Bradburn, Sue Carbert, Natalie Drought, Cllr David Hopkins, David King, Cllr Shanika Mahendran, Roz Mascarenhas, Ranjit Singh, Sarah Westacott, Sunita Yeomans

Contact

Press Enquiries:
press@mkgallery.org

General Enquiries:
01908 676 900
info@mkgallery.org

Architecture and Expansion

MK Gallery re-opened in March 2019 following a major renovation and expansion. Inspired by the utopian history of Milton Keynes, the building was designed by 6a architects, with artists Gareth Jones and Nils Norman. In 2021, the building won the RIBA South Project Architect of the Year award.

The Observer’s ‘Building of the Year 2019’

‘an architectural gem’ – The Telegraph

‘a dream made real’ – The Financial Times

‘utterly, thrillingly Milton Keynesian’ – The Guardian

Relevant links and further reading:

Since opening in 1999, MK Gallery has developed a reputation as one of the UK’s leading public art galleries, commissioning and presenting British and international contemporary art.

Programming multiple major exhibitions a year, MK Gallery is the only contemporary visual arts organisation within a 40-mile radius that commissions and showcases innovative and high-quality international contemporary and modern art.

The Gallery has an outstanding track record of presenting critically acclaimed and high-quality exhibitions, including shows by Archigram, Michael Craig-Martin, Jeremy Deller, Nasreen Mohamedi, Piranesi and Andy Warhol. Its international partnerships provide a connection between Milton Keynes and the wider world, channelling ambitious ideas and artistic excellence into the region.

Since reopening in 2019 after a major renovation and expansion, MK Gallery has been described as ‘an architectural gem’ in The Telegraph, ‘a dream made real’ in The Financial Times, and ‘utterly, thrillingly Milton Keynesian’ in The Guardian. Inspired by the unique history of this utopian New Town, the building was designed by 6a architects, with artists Gareth Jones and Nils Norman.

City Club

City Club was a programme of new art, performances, family activities, happenings and talks inspired by the original vision behind Milton Keynes. It provided a framework for MK Gallery’s interim programme while the building was closed for construction.

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Become a member

Join today and support MK Gallery. You will enjoy a year of free entry to our exhibitions, discounts, exclusive events and much more.

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