About

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

MK Gallery

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

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

Inspired by the unique history of Milton Keynes, the new building, designed by renowned architects 6a in collaboration with artists Gareth Jones and Nils Norman, 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 serves 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, Post-16 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.

Family Arts Logo

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 558 314


Exhibitions and Programmes



Fay Blanchard
Head of Exhibitions
fblanchard@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558 303

Elizabeth Brown
Exhibitions Coordinator (Part-time)

ebrown@mkgallery.org

Alice Riddy 
Exhibitions Coordinator 

ariddy@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558 308

Niki Braithwaite
Head of Public Programme
nbraithwaite@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558 304



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
 
Tara Sheldon
Learning Coordinator

tsheldon@mkgallery.org

+44[0]1908 558311



Development and Communications



Billie Passchier
Event Manager

bpasschier@mkgallery.org
+44 [0]1908 558 307


Roisin Callaghan
Marketing Coordinator

rcallaghan@mkgallery.org

+44 [0]1908558 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

Linda Wright
Finance Manager

finance@mkgallery.org

+44 [0]1908 558 328 

Annette Parmar
Volunteer Manager

aparmar@mkgallery.org

+44 (0)1908 558 305

Alex Rose
Visitor Experience Manager

arose@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:

Liz Gifford

Chair

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.

David Danskin

Legal Portfolio Holder

David joined the Board in 2017 and is the Gallery’s Company Secretary. A solicitor by profession, he is currently a Consultant with national firm Freeths. He specialises in property development and has been involved in numerous real estate projects within Milton Keynes and beyond, advising private developers and public sector bodies. David is also a trustee at the Stables, Milton Keynes. 

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 supports 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

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. 


MK Gallery Project Space

The Project Space programme encourages collaboration between educators, artists, groups and local residents.  Exhibitions are considered through a combination of open call proposals, direct invitations and collaborative partnerships. All proposals submitted 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. There is no age limit for applicants and proposals are invited from individuals and groups based in, or connected to Milton Keynes and the surrounding region only (within a 20 mile radius of MK Gallery).

How to make an application

After reading the Project Space Pack Please email learning@mkgallery.org with a short statement (2 sides A4 max) or film outlining your proposal as per the submission guidelines.  We invite applications at any time but please note that shortlisting is undertaken quarterly and programmes are often developed 3-6 months or longer in advance.mail 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

Volunteer

We are recruiting a volunteer team to provide invaluable support to the Front of House staff, through invigilation of exhibitions, events assistance and visitor services provisions.

Volunteer with us

Our Volunteers are the friendly, informative and responsive face of MK Gallery. They welcome visitors; engage people in conversations to enable deeper understanding of the exhibitions and programmes; answer questions; promote future activities and collect visitor feedback, to ensure that MK Gallery runs effectively and is able to deliver world-class cultural experiences.

Why get involved?

  • Become a valued member of a team of volunteers and professionals who are passionate about delivering a world-class arts programme in the heart of Milton Keynes.
  • Develop new skills or build upon existing customer service and communication skills.
  • Gain experience volunteering in a gallery environment and learn about how we run our exhibitions and events.
  • Be invited to private exhibition tours with artists and curators prior to opening new exhibitions.
  • Enjoy a 30% discount off of food and beverages at the MK Gallery Café Bar.


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 our volunteer site here.

Alternatively, please get in touch with Annette on  AParmar@mkgallery.org or 01908 676 900.

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


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