Established in 1974 by the Milton Keynes Corporation, for 50 years MKAC has provided opportunities for diverse communities to come together, to learn life-enhancing skills through working with professional artists and to feel part of a creative and inclusive community.
In April 2025, Milton Keynes Arts Centre took its programme ‘On the Road’. Through working in partnership with town and parish councils across the city, we enabled 368 residents of age 16 or over to take part in 30 artist-led creative sessions in their local areas and to learn skills in Drawing, Printmaking, Weaving, Quiltmaking, String Art and Lippan Art.
Our 2025-26 programme took place in Bletchley, Bow Brickhill, Bradville, Broughton, Coffee Hall, Conniburrow, Fullers Slade, New Bradwell, Oxley Park, Springfield and Stony Stratford. Places were available for low or no cost. These sessions were designed to:
• Support skills development and lifelong learning
• Reduce stress, build self-confidence and improve mental health
• Encourage people to come together for a fun and engaging activity in a safe and supportive environment
• 95% of participants in the programme rated the experience ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’.
• 92% said they would book again.
• Asked their motivation for booking, 45% of participants told us they had an interest in art, 36% were looking for something different and 28% were attending for their own wellbeing,
• The session and tutor. Sarah was brilliant. I learnt so much & really enjoyed it.
• Taught me some new skills and gave me mindfulness time out.
• It was nice and relaxed, not intimidating at all and really informative in terms of teaching us to look properly.
• Clear instructions. Very helpful. Hands on straight away.
• Great that it was local & free too! It was very relaxing, nice to give something new a go.
• Something different. A good time in the evening so I could join after work. Really well organised & loads of fun!
Following the success of our ‘On the Road’ programme in 2025-26, Milton Keynes Arts Centre is extending it until 31 March 2027, with no increase in the price. We are now inviting town and parish councils to be part of our 2026-27 On the Road programme. We welcome bookings from councils we have worked with previously as well as new bookers.
If you book with us, Milton Keynes Arts Centre will:
• Liaise with the host venue/parish council in the planning of the sessions – including the selection of artists and activities.
• Appoint freelance artists to plan and lead the creative activities, providing oversight of their work, ensuring they are DBS checked and hold appropriate Public Liability Insurances. The Arts Centre will also negotiate contractual terms and make payment directly to the artists.
• Provide an Artist Assistant to support each of the sessions, to ensure the sessions’ smooth running as well as the enjoyment and welfare of all concerned.
• Provide and deliver all equipment and materials for use in the sessions to the host venue, to clear after the session and ensure the host venue is left as found.
• Undertake risk assessments for each activity, identifying potential hazards and manage risks with the full agreement of the host venue.
• Support the marketing and promotion of the sessions by providing to the host venue/parish council, promotional images, logos and copy cleared for use; and sharing details on the Arts Centre’s own website and social media channels.The host venues / parish councils will be required to:
• Provide a room, free of charge, that will comfortably accommodate 22 people seated, with tables and chairs that are wipe-clean and with easy access to a sink. The room should be made available to the Arts Centre no less than 30 minutes before the sessions’ start time and no less than 30 mins after the sessions’ end, to allow time for preparation and clearing. Near-by parking will also be required for loading and unloading.
• Promote the activities to local residents and work with the Arts Centre in ensuring maximum awareness and take-up of the offer. Milton Keynes Arts Centre and its funders should be acknowledged on all promotion.
• Advise the Arts Centre of any known access issues of participants, including special educational needs and disabilities to enable appropriate planning and adaptations as required.
• Provide a minimum of 8-weeks’ notice of proposed dates to allow time for securing artists and marketing.
For three distinct artist-led sessions, Milton Keynes Arts Centre will charge £500. This charge covers fees for two artists per session (planning and delivery), materials and equipment.
Please note, these sessions are not-for-profit. Milton Keynes Arts Centre’s staffing costs and overheads associating the sessions’ coordination and oversight are provided FREE. All expenditure will be used to benefit local residents and the Arts Centre can evidence expenditure as required. The parish council / host venue may, at its own discretion, choose to charge for participation in the sessions; any charges made must not exceed the actual cost of the activity.
