Call Out to Artists 2026

We are now seeking diverse, skilled and experienced freelance participatory artists to join our team of Artist Associates.This is an exciting opportunity to take a lead role in designing and delivering creative events and activities across Milton Keynes.

About Milton Keynes Arts Centre

Milton Keynes ArtsCentre is a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England. Established in 1974 by the Milton Keynes Corporation, for over 50 years Milton Keynes Arts Centre 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. Originally occupying historic buildings in Great Linford Manor Park, since April 2025 the ArtsCentre has been working peripatetically across the city, co-developing projects with MK communities, delivering artist-led events, performances and workshops in the hearts of the areas in which people live.

Our Mission

Our mission is to connect and revitalise Milton Keynes communities through place-based and collaborative approaches to creative programming, celebrating the distinctiveness of Milton Keynes’ social, natural and built environment through art and promoting pride in people and place.

Our Vision

Our vision is of an Arts Centre not bound by buildings or geographical location; but one that is future-looking, dynamic and fleet-footed: co-designing and delivering ambitious and high-quality arts events and activities with Milton Keynes communities in their spaces and on their terms in order to:

• Build, connect and revitalise communities in Milton Keynes through place-based and collaborative approaches to creative programming.
• Inspire and bring moments of joy to Milton Keynes’ residents by enabling them to realise their own creative potential.

• Encourage pride in place by celebrating the distinctiveness of Milton Keynes’ social, natural, and built environment through art.

• Promote inclusion and diversity, actively seeking to address potential barriers to engagement in the arts in order to ensure people from all backgrounds feel welcome and represented in everything we do.

• And to do the above in ways that promote ethical and sustainable practices, pointing the way to a better shared future.

Our Recent Work

In 2025, the Arts Centre’s work included:

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• Partnering with Milton Keynes City Council, MK Museum and the LivingArchive MK in developing an activity programme associating ‘The Bradwell Windmill Project’ designed to engage local residents in the history of the Windmill and to encourage the building’s use as a community asset post-restoration.
• Leading community consultation in Sherington regarding appointing an artist to co-develop a public artwork in the village with residents.

• Partnering with 10 parish and town councils across the city in delivering artist-led creative sessions in community spaces as part of our ‘On the Road’ programme.

• Organising four ‘We Live Here’ events in the city’s green spaces to encourage a greater appreciation of the city’s biodiversity through art.

For further information, go tomiltonkeynesartscentre.org.

Requirement of the Role

Milton Keynes Arts Centre’s Artist Associates are at the forefront of all aspects of our work. We actively seek to represent the diversity of Milton Keynes in the artists we work with and particularly encourage applications from individuals who are currently underrepresented in the cultural sector.

Most of our programmes of work are focused on the visual arts; we do however welcome applications from artists working in other art forms.

Applicants must:

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• Evidence a high-quality portfolio of personal work and demonstrable skills in your chosen discipline or art form.
• Have a proven track record in both designing and leading participatory activities for adults and/or children relating to contemporary art practice.
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a patient and empathetic manner.
• Have a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion - actively ensuring fair treatment, respecting differences, and creating a welcoming environment for everybody. 
• Be willing to travel across Milton Keynes and to work in a range of locations.
• Be able to work confidently with minimal support or supervision.
• Be willing to be DBS checked. 
• Be 18+. 
• Be able to provide a minimum of two work references on request.

MKAC treats all job applicants equally, regardless of class, age, disability, gender identity or gender expression, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or any other equality characteristic.

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Pay and Conditions for Artist Associates

• Artist Associates are employed on a freelance basis. Milton Keynes Arts Centre currently pays artists £30/hr. The rate of pay for bespoke or commissioned projects and residencies may vary depending on the duration and nature of the work. These will be agreed on an individual project basis. 

• Unless otherwise agreed, Artist Associates will not be paid for travel time or reimbursed for travel costs; nor will they be paid for preparation time.

• You will be liable to make all tax and national insurance payments to HMRC and we will need proof of your employment status before processing invoices (this is usually provided as a tax return). 

• You are required to supply us with an up-to-date digital DBS disclosure form, a copy of your PLI and evidence of your right to work in the UK (generally a passport). If you will be working with children or vulnerable adults, we will require your permission to order an enhanced DBS check.

• If you are claiming personal fuel costs associating travel to the venue (and this has been agreed in advance), you are also required to provide us evidence of your car insurance being covered for Business Use.  

• Full ‘Terms of Engagement’ are outlined in our Handbook, click on the button on the left side.

How to Apply

Please send a CV outlining your relevant experience, an artist’s statement and a selection of digital images of your work, to hello@miltonkeynesartscentre.org

The deadline for applications is Friday 27 February 2026.

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