We have four different types of fun, experimental and challenging activities for pupils of all ages based around our current exhibition programme, including a new Life Drawing option for classes of GCSE age and above. We can also arrange bespoke sessions. Please email learning@mkgallery.org to discuss options and prices.
School trips can be booked Wednesday to Friday between 10am – 4pm. All group trips, including self-guided tours, must be booked in advance. For each exhibition we offer a teachers evening and free tickets to teachers that would like to visit the exhibition in advance of booking a school trip to MK Gallery.
Booking Enquiry Form
Please complete the form and email a completed version to learning@mkgallery.org Once your booking is confirmed, we will provide you with resources to prepare for your visit.
Download form
Academic Guide 2023/24
Each year MK Gallery presents three major exhibitions across five elegant and spacious galleries. Exhibitions include contemporary, historic and the trans-historical with works drawn from major collections across the world.
Download guide
Artist-Led Exhibition Tours
Duration: 1 hour
Where: Galleries
Number of pupils: Max. 32
Cost: £105 per tour
One-hour guided tour through the current exhibition with an MK Gallery Arts Facilitator tailored to the groups age. These tours provide opportunities for groups to engage with the exhibition through activities in the galleries and discussion, as well as providing insight into the exhibiting artists and their work.
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Enquiring Minds
Duration: 2 hours
Where: Learning Studio or Event Space
Number of pupils: Max. 32
Cost: £220 per session
A studio session with a MK Gallery Associate Artist designed to reflect themes materials and concepts from our current exhibition. Every workshop is delivered by a professional artist who can discuss technique, process and their own practice.
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Self-Guided Tour
Duration: 1 hour
Where: Galleries
Number of pupils: Max. 32
Cost: Free, booking essential
Independently explore the exhibition with your class using your own resources or those provided by MK Gallery .
If you are planning to create your own activities in the galleries please contact us in advance for guidance on appropriate materials to ensure safety of the artworks. See below for general guidance but please check in advance as each exhibition may have specific restrictions.
Allowed:
- Sketchbooks, paper on clipboards and similar items up to a maximum size of A3.
- Dry but not dusty materials, including pencils, coloured pencils, Conté pencils and charcoal pencils.
Not allowed:
- Pens (including felt tip, ink/fountain, ink rollerball/biro).
- Charcoal (including sticks, chalks, pastels).
- Crayons (including Conté, wax).
- Liquid paints (including watercolours, oil, acrylic or wax-based paints).
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Life Drawing for Schools
Duration: 2 hours
Where: Event Space
Number of pupils: Max. 30
Cost: £200
Designed for those studying or considering further study in art and design-based subjects, this life drawing workshop is a great opportunity to enhance student portfolios, evidencing your visual skills and developing new confidence in observational, figurative drawing.
Led by a practicing artist in a safe/closed environment, students will examine and draw from a nude model to develop their drawing from observation skills and experiment with line, form, tone and texture.
Basic materials are provided.
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Adult to child ratio
Adult to child ratios must be appropriate to the age of the students. If a student has one-to-one support they should be additional to your general teacher to student ratio. We recommend the following ratio of adults to students:
- 1:4 for children of seven years and under.
- 1:7 for children of eight years and above.
In line with DfE guidelines, we reserve the right to refuse entry when the level of adult supervision falls short of a ratio of 1:15. Bring as many adult helpers as possible and share your preparation with them so they can help your pupils better.
Please note that our artists and learning volunteers are there to run the activities and encourage engagement, however it is the school’s responsibility to manage behaviour.
Stay together
Students/members of groups remain the responsibility of school staff or group leaders during their visit and must be accompanied. This includes toilet visits. For secondary students whose teachers prefer a self-directed visit, teachers must stay on the gallery to check on students regularly and be contactable by gallery staff.
Why the arts matter in education
The arts are a crucial part of a broad and balanced curriculum – they equip children with the creativity and innovation needed for 21st century employment, and with essential life skills such as collaboration, communication and problem solving. Reports show that studying the arts can raise attainment in Maths and English and employers are calling for a workforce with both scientific and creative skills. (CLA, 2017)
Participation in the arts develops children’s confidence in their ability to think, question, explore, and contribute to the world around them. They give children a creative outlet to explore and express emotion and can reduce stress, improve wellbeing, raise self-esteem and develop social skills. Studies and research have found that children who regularly take part in arts activities are more resilient, healthier and do better in school. (CLA, 2017).
Contact the Learning Team
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