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

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.

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. 

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 direct contact with artists and their practice. 
Find out about our Young People programmes here

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

Public Programmes

Opening of the new MK Gallery. 16 March 2019. Photo Derek Wales

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. 

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.

Cafe Bar

Opening of the new MK Gallery. 16 March 2019. Photo Derek Wales

Our cafe/ bar is open from 10am, with soups, salads and sandwiches, fresh coffee and a selection of teas, mouth-watering locally made cakes and ice cream, along with a fantastic selection of wines and beers. Vegan and gluten free options are available across the menu. We also have a range of snacks and sweets for those visiting the cinema.

If you have any enquiries, please get in touch with Billie at bpasschier@mkgallery.org

'The food in the new MK Gallery cafe is an exquisite work of art’ Jon Boyle, Celebrate MK

‘A delightful airy place to meet friends and family at weekends and an excellent place to have business meetings in the week.’ Steven Dryden-Hall, Milton Keynes food and Leisure Awards

Events and Catering

Sky room
Hosting world-class exhibitions featuring cutting edge contemporary artists and old masters in an iconic and critically-acclaimed building, the new MK Gallery provides a unique and inspiring place for your event.

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

Overlooking Campbell Park, our Sky Room auditorium is a 9m × 20m multi-functional space designed by 6a architects and artists Gareth Jones and Nils Norman that sits on the second floor of the Gallery.
  • Full conference facilities
  • Licenced for weddings
  • Onsite catering
  • Raked seating for 150
  • Banquet dining for 100
  • Receptions for 275
  • Multiple room set ups for any event
  • Integrated A/V equipment
  • Easy access to M1, A5 and Milton Keynes Central train station
  • Walking distance from three multi-story car parks

For more information on booking or to arrange a time to visit, please contact Billie Passchier bpasschier@mkgallery.org

Staff team and contact details

Director


Anthony Spira




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)

Sophie Bennett
Producer, Public Programmes (Inclusion)


 
Annette Parmar
Volunteer Manager


Luke Perry
Technical Manager (Programmes)


Tara Sheldon
Producer, Public Programmes (Children & Young People)


Jemima Senior
Inclusion Coordinator 

Art and Us Assistants:
Rosie May
Victoria Mitchell
Bridget Nicholls





Events & Catering


Billie Passchier
Head of Events & Catering


Ben Montgomery
Head Chef


Chantel Beaven
Events Coordinator


Marketing & Audience Development

Sam Matthews
Head of Marketing & Audience Development


Angus Norton
Marketing Manager


Sam Lennon
Press & Marketing Manager (part-time)






Operations

Kate Chadwick
Deputy Director


Linda Wright
Finance Manager


Jamie Aylard
Technical Manager (Facilities)


Patrick Phillips
House Manager


House Coordinators
Emma-Louise Claxton
Monika Lorincova
Luke Rawlinson
Sonia Tsesarsky


Lucy Barth
Retail & Box Office Manager


Retail Coordinators
Judy Kendrick Simonsen 
Tess Pugh 
Julia Roach

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.

Sas Amoah

Sas Amoah works for The Open University developing content for the University's free learning platform, OpenLearn, and chairs the University's Black and Minority Ethnic Network. He is also a filmmaker and recently completed a film exploring homelessness in Milton Keynes.

Cllr Carole Baumne

Cllr Carole Baumne is a Labour Councillor for Woughton and Fishermead and the MK Council Cabinet member with responsibility for Economy and Culture.

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.

Roz Mascarenhas

Roz Mascarenhas is a Youth and Community worker for Milton Keynes Council and manages the MK Youth Cabinet. She has developed and delivered multiple projects which support diversity and inclusion and enable young people across the city to use their voice in creative ways to bring about social change. 

Dr Fidèle Mutwarasibo

Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Portfolio Holder

Dr Fidèle Mutwarasibo is an independent consultant working on issues pertaining to  diversity, equality, inclusion and belonging. He is an activist and change agent on various issues including immigration, human rights and hate crimes. Through his association with The Open University he is working on the promotion of leadership development in the third sector.

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.

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.

MK Gallery’s mission is to provide access to high quality, innovative and thought-provoking art from around the world and through its programmes, stimulate participation and debate, building relationships between artists and audiences.

MK Gallery has three core values that support its mission:

Quality – By championing excellence we seek to raise ambition and build confidence.

Diversity – We welcome and actively support diversity and inclusivity.

Opportunity – We are a platform for the development and exchange of art and ideas.

Current vacancies:

Freelance Associate Artists

Hours:                         Freelance, must be able to work on Sundays  

Accountable to:        Producer, Public Programmes (Inclusion)

Salary:                        £210 Day Rate

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 programme strand includes Art and Us, a weekly programme for families with children aged 5+ with complex needs. 

 For more information and to apply click here.


Waiting staff- Events and Café

Hours:  Zero hours casual contract, ability to regularly work evenings and weekends essential

Accountable to: Head of Events and Catering

Salary: £9.50 per hour.

MK Gallery seeks to recruit a zero hours and casual workforce to work in our in-house café and to support the catering offer for our various events throughout the building. The main focus is to create an enjoyable experience for all our visitors and guests through fantastic customer service and attention to detail. 

For more information and to apply click here.

  

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

Our 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.


Close
Close

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive updates on all our forthcoming exhibitions, events, family activities, films and workshops.

Sign up