Accessible Events

Sensory Symposium

10am-4pm  Exploring the philosophy, practice and learning behind MK Gallery's two-year Sensory Engagement Partnership with specialist practitioner Collar & Cuffs Co, developed alongside MK Gallery's community partners, including adults with learning disabilities and young people with visual impairments. Together they have created public sensory responses to six major exhibitions, including Andy Warhol: Portrait of America, Paz Errázuriz: Dare to Look and Euan Uglow: An Arc from the Eye.  Beyond making the case for sensory engagement, this symposium explores how it is reshaping interpretation, meaning-making and public engagement across the cultural sector. Through discussion and creative participation, delegates will experience these approaches in practice.  With specialist guest speakers, gallerist, producer and curator, Jennifer Gilbert (Jennifer Lauren Gallery) and artists from Blue Room inclusive arts project (The Bluecoat, Liverpool). Delegates will also have the opportunity at lunchtime to visit MK Gallery’s highly anticipated landmark exhibition, L.S. Lowry.  This event is designed for those working in the arts, museum or disability sectors, who are interested in inclusive approaches to interpretation, co-creation and accessibility in cultural spaces. Tickets include a full day programme of talks and activities, plus lunch and refreshments. Ticket prices are on a sliding scale to reflect the different contexts in which delegates may be attending.   Large Organisations / NPO: £65  Small / Mid-Size Organisations: £55  Freelance / Individual: £40  If cost may be a barrier to your attendance, please contact Sophie on sbennett@mkgallery.org / 01908 558319, as a limited number of bursary tickets are available.  If you have any access requirements you would like to make us aware of, for example hearing impairment, visual impairment, or a physical access requirement, please contact Rosie via rmay@mkgallery.org / 01908 558315.  This project has been made possible through the Art Fund Reimagine grant. With additional thanks to Engage for supporting this event.              

£0.00

Our Studio: Summer Open Studios

Project Space | Free entry, drop in | 11am-3pm

This summer we warmly welcome you to visit MK Gallery’s inclusive programme, Our Studio, a creative and supportive art space for disabled and neurodivergent young people aged 14-25yrs.

View a diverse array of incredible artworks and practices, meet our artists and get hands on with some making yourself!

Postcards and zines designed by Our Studio artists will be available to purchase. All proceeds support the running of the studio, including purchasing essential materials and supporting trips.

£0.00

BSL Exhibition Tour: L.S. Lowry

Join Deaf tour guide Chisato Minamimura for an in-depth exploration of MK Gallery’s highly anticipated solo exhibition of works by British painter L.S.Lowry. Best known for his industrial landscapes of northwest of England, this show aims to provide an overview of all his themes and subjects, from landscapes and seascapes to portraits and surreal imaginings, marking 50 years since his death in 1976. This tour will be delivered in British Sign Language only and is exclusively for Deaf visitors, and users of British Sign Language. MK Gallery offers £1 tickets for BSL Tours for all MK residents.

£0.00

Sensory Tour Kit

Explore MK Gallery’s current exhibition, Jacques Henri Lartigue: Life in Colour, with our self-led Sensory Tour Kit designed by learners from MK Snap and artist Collar & Cuffs Co. The tour kit is designed specifically with visitors with access needs, children and families in mind, but is available for all to use and enjoy! The Sensory Tour Kit is on a trolley. You can collect it from the front desk and wheel it around the exhibition with you at your own pace. In the trolley there are objects, smells and sounds to help you explore selected artworks in the exhibition in a sensory way. There is also a printed text guide with Widget symbols, and a link to a selection of short films made by the learners about their selected artworks. The Sensory Tour Kit is free to collect and use around the building, including in our Café or Creative Corner. You can also take it into the exhibition with any purchased exhibition ticket. For groups and schools bookings, please contact Sophie on sbennett@mkgallery.org / 01908 558319. Find out more about MK Gallery's Inclusive Practice in the Arts programme here. With thanks to Art Fund for making this project possible.

£0.00

Summer Studio

Tuesdays 28 July-18 August | 11am-12:30pm & 2-3:30pm Join artists Teresa Paiva and Rachel McGivern to get creative this summer break! Each week there will be a different theme and materials to explore in a small group workshop, taking place in our dedicated onsite studio. These sessions are designed for neurodivergent and disabled young people with an EHCP aged 14-19yrs. They will be supported by an Inclusion Assistant, and light refreshments will be provided. What we'll explore each week:

• Tuesday 28 July: Sound Vessels with Teresa Paiva
• Tuesday 4 August: Printmaking with Rachel McGivern
• Tuesday 11 August: Painting and Drawing with Rachel McGivern
• Tuesday 18 August: Designing Dream Spaces with Rachel McGivern

£0.00

Art Together

Thursday 29 October | 11am-12:30pm & 2-3:30pm Join our Inclusion Team and specialist Associate Artists to explore, experiment and play every school holiday! With fun for all the family, Art Together sessions are designed for children and young people aged 5-25yrs with additional and complex support needs, and their families. The workshop space offers multiple creative options for children and families to engage with on their own terms, completely pressure free. A chill-out area is always available and preparation material will be sent to your family in advance so you know what to expect on the day. "The space is inclusive, and artists are so understanding, friendly and helpful" (Parent, 2025) Places in these group workshops are limited, and must be pre-booked by contacting Rosie on rmay@mkgallery.org / 01908 558315. Please note that due to the bespoke nature of these sessions tickets cannot be booked through the MK Gallery website. Workshop artists:

• Thursday 29 October- Rachel McGivern and Ciara Callaghan

£0.00

Toddle Exhibition Tour | Jacques Henri Lartigue: Life in Colour

Saturday 11 July & Saturday 26 September | 10am & 11am  Our award-winning Toddle Tours are designed specifically for children aged 0-5yrs and their families. Join artist Julia from Collar & Cuffs Co and MK Gallery's Inclusion Team in exploring our exhibition Jacques Henri Lartigue: Life in Colour. We will take you and your little ones on an exciting sensory filled journey, with different elements of touch, sound, movement and play. Experience our galleries in a completely new way! "Everything always seems so well planned and full of so much effort... I have two young children and the fact that I can expose them to the gallery is wonderful." (Parent) Watch a video about our Sensory Tours here.  Tours start and finish in MK Gallery's Learning Studio, where there is a comfy break out space and families can safely leave bags, coats and pushchairs. Taking Place July 11 | 10am September 26 | 10am & 11am

£0.00

Tactile Art Workshop | Jacques Henri Lartigue: Life in Colour

Join artist Lisa Tilley for a hands-on creative workshop taking inspiration from the vivid photographs of Jacques Henri Lartigue, uniquely designed for those who are blind or partially sighted, and their companions. Our tactile workshops take place in small groups, creating a warm and friendly space where you can meet and socialise with others, whilst getting creative. This workshop lasts just over 2 hours, with a tea break half way through. Taking Place Wednesday 30 September, 10:30am (refreshments included)  

£0.00

Audio Described Tour | Jacques Henri Lartigue: Life in Colour

This event is designed for visitors who are blind or partially sighted, and their companions. Join our specialist tour guides to explore Jacques Henri Lartigue: Life in Colour. Jacques Henri Lartigue (1894-1986) is best known for his black and white photographs of society at the turn of the century Parisian Belle Époque. He also famously documented innovations including car racing and aviation, the floating world of the mid-century French Riviera. With in-depth descriptions and hand-held touch elements, the tour will guide visitors through a unique selection of key artworks. “It was absolutely fabulous – The last piece especially left me reeling for more! I can’t see much, but I got so much from the tour. I’d come every week if I could!” (Tour Participant) Taking place Wednesday 29 July, 11am Wednesday 26 August, 11am

£0.00

Relaxed Exhibition Viewing | Jacques Henri Lartigue: Life in Colour

These are quiet hours to view our exhibition Jacques Henri Lartigue: Life in Colour, tailored to support disabled and neurodivergent visitors, or anyone with sensory needs who prefers a quieter gallery experience.  Ear defenders and sensory aids are available, the hand dryers in the toilets are switched off, and tickets are limited to reduce the number of people in the galleries. Taking place Sunday 28 June | 10 - 11am Sunday 26 July | 10 - 11am Sunday 30 August | 10 - 11am Sunday 27 September | 10 - 11am

£0.00

SEND Exhibition Tour | Jacques Henri Lartigue: Life in Colour

Saturday 11 July & Saturday 26 September | 12pm Our award-winning SEND Tours are designed specifically for visitors with additional and complex needs, alongside their families, friends, and companions. All ages welcome. Join specialist artist Collar & Cuffs Co in exploring our exhibition Jacques Henri Lartigue: Life in colour. She will take you on an exciting sensory filled journey, with different elements of touch, sound, movement and play. “There were so many highlights! Collar & Cuffs is wonderful! She is warm, engaging, and cleverly creative.” (Parent) Watch a video about our Sensory Tours here. Makaton is used throughout SEND Tours to support communication and our Inclusion team will support participation, alongside the artist. Tours start and finish in MK Gallery’s Learning Studio, where there is a comfy break out space and families can safely leave bags and coats. Taking Place July 11 | 11am September 26 | 12pm

£0.00

Our Studio: Spring Showcase

Event Space | Free entry, 10am-5pm Inclusive of ambitious group installations, immersive animations, photography and much more, this showcase celebrates Our Studio's diversity of collaborative and individual creative practice. Our Studio is MK Gallery's creative programme for neurodivergent and disabled young people aged 14-25yrs. Please note on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and Saturday 18th April, young artists will be working in the Event Space. Public visits will be sensitively managed at these times.

£0.00