Vital Signs MK 2025 - Report - Page 22
Arts & Heritage
MK’s Creative and Cultural Strategy
Milton Keynes City Council acts as the strategic lead for MK’s
Creative and Cultural Strategy 2018 – 2027. The strategy,
created with citywide partners, sets out the ambitious cultural
vision the strategy aims to achieve. It states:
“Milton Keynes will be an internationally recognised creative
and cultured city; known for the excellence and diversity of
its borough-wide, year-round cultural o昀昀er. [It] will provide
residents and visitors with an inclusive cultural o昀昀er, where
creative experiences and opportunities transform lives.”15
State of the Arts in the UK
In 2024, the Campaign for the Arts and the University of
Warwick published a report which examined the ‘State of the
Arts’ in the UK.
It reported that Local government revenue funding of culture
and related services decreased by 48% in England, alongside
rising cost, and demand pressures on statutory services.
Milton Keynes’ arts funding per person is much lower than
the England average, with only £4.18 allocated for cultural
and heritage services in 2022/23, compared to the national
昀椀gure of £8.79.17
This gap has persisted over time, with Milton Keynes’ funding
consistently falling short in areas such as museums, galleries,
and public entertainment.
MK Gallery
Looking at data supplied by MK Gallery, which represents visitor
demographics, we can see a strong predominance of White
British visitors, who make up 80% of the total respondents (651
individuals). This suggests that the gallery’s audience is primarily
White British, with limited ethnic diversity.
Other White backgrounds, including White Irish (2%) and other
White ethnicities (4%), contribute to a small but notable portion
of the visitors.
Visitors from ‘any other Asian background’ account for just 20
individuals, highlighting a relatively low engagement from this
demographic. Additionally, 10 respondents identi昀椀ed as White
Gypsy, Roma, or Irish Traveller, making up a minor proportion
of visitors.
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Vital Signs MK - 12th Edition 2025
These insights indicate that the gallery’s current audience
is predominantly White British, with limited engagement
from more diverse ethnic backgrounds. This raises potential
considerations for outreach and inclusivity e昀昀orts, as well as a
need for a centralised placemaking and marketing strategy for
Milton Keynes’ Arts and Heritage sector.
Inclusive Practice of the Arts:
MK Gallery
MK Gallery’s Inclusive Practice of the Arts programme, funded
by Milton Keynes Community Foundation, aims to make artsbased activities more accessible for families with children
who have additional and complex needs. It has successfully
broadened participation, reduced barriers, and strengthened
community connections through creative engagement.
“To 昀椀nd somewhere that everyone can join in is unheard of. This
is totally unique and amazing” – Parent of workshop participant
This was achieved through the introduction of tailored initiatives
to engage and support diverse communities:
•
Sensory Boxes: enabled children who found public
spaces overwhelming to engage with art at home.
•
School partnerships: with MK Snap and Pace School
provided creative opportunities for disabled and
neurodivergent students.
•
Our Studio: supported young people aged 14-25 in
developing their artistic skills, with some progressing to
exhibitions.
The programme has provided accessible arts opportunities for
2,800 participants, including 450 individuals from non-white
backgrounds and 750 with disabilities. By removing barriers to
participation, it has created a more inclusive cultural space in
Milton Keynes.
“Relationships are at the heart of IPA and guide everything we
do. It’s a privilege to go on such special journeys with people.
The contributions we have made, both locally and nationally,
to conversations about real inclusivity in the arts remind me
that we are also part of something bigger, and there is still lots
to do. I feel immensely lucky.” – Sophie, Producer of Inclusion,
MK Gallery
https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/culture/mk-creative-and-cultural-strategy-2018-2027
https://www.campaignforthearts.org/reports/the-state-of-the-arts/)
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https://local.campaignforthearts.org/arts-funding-in-your-area/?area=E06000042
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