MK Gallery is an ‘architectural gem’ that presents significant exhibitions of contemporary and historic art and design, alongside extensive public programmes.
An independent café and shop, cinema from Curzon, and spectacular views over the park feature in this new 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 music, dance, 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.
Exhibitions
Three major exhibitions are presented each year across five elegant and spacious galleries, from thematic group exhibitions to in-depth solo presentations.
Past Exhibitions
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.
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.
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.
Learn more
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
Directors
Anthony Spira
Director
Frankie Nielsen
Deputy Director
Exhibitions
Fay Blanchard
Head of Exhibitions
Alice Riddy
Exhibitions Coordinator
Public Programmes
Niki Braithwaite
Head of Public Programmes
Roisin Callaghan
Producer, Public Programmes (Communities & Partners)
Tara Sheldon
Producer, Public Programmes (Children & Young People)
Sophie Bennett
Producer, Public Programmes (Inclusion)
Rosie May
Inclusion Coordinator
Events & Catering
Andrew Papworth
Head of Events & Catering
Chantel Beaven
Events Coordinator
Ben Montgomery
Head Chef
Sam Lennon
Café Supervisor
Ben Charter
Café Supervisor
Mihaila Kuveljic
Catering Assistant
Marketing & Audience Development
Samantha Matthews
Head of Marketing & Audience Development
Angus Norton
Marketing Manager
Sam Lennon
Press & Marketing Coordinator
For all press enquiries, please email press@mkgallery.org
Operations
Jamie Aylard
Technical Manager (Facilities)
Annette Parmar
Volunteer Manager
Front of House
Patrick Phillips
House Manager
Abigail Burton
House Coordinator
Monika Lorincova
House Coordinator
Luke Rawlinson
House Coordinator
Sonia Tsesarsky
House Coordinator
Diana Volokha
House Coordinator
Xander Webster
House Coordinator
Retail
Charlotte Baker
Box Office & Retail Manager
Kathy Danskin
Retail Buyer
Judy Kendrick-Simonsen
Retail Coordinator
Gemma Kimmings
Retail Coordinator
Tess Pugh
Retail Coordinator
Julia Roach
Retail Coordinator
Finance
Linda Wright
Finance Manager
Pallavi Ghosh
Finance Administrator
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
David Danskin
Cllr David Hopkins
David King
Cllr Shanika Mahendran
Roz Mascarenhas
Dr. Fidéle Mutwarasibo
Sarah Westacott
Sunita Yeomans
Architecture & 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 & Further Reading
Our History
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.
Learn more
