We’re ready to be the UK City of Culture 2029

The news that Milton Keynes has been long-listed for the UK City of Culture 2029 feels like a real turning point and an exciting one at that.
For years, we, along with local artists, theatres, and creative organisations across the city have worked tirelessly to showcase the incredible venues, experiences, and opportunities right on our doorstep. Seeing that effort recognised on a national level is not only well deserved but firmly puts Milton Keynes on the cultural map.

Milton Keynes was built in 1967 with innovation and sustainability in mind. It has always been a city shaped by growth and evolution and our cultural scene is no exception. Today, our city is a place where artists, communities, and creative leaders come together to tell stories, provide opportunities, drive innovation, shape creativity for residents of now and in the future.

We already have so much to celebrate. From vibrant theatres like The Stables, Stantonbury Theatre and Chrysalis Theatre, to a network of theatre companies and artists. Add to that our music venues, orchestras, theatre and dance schools, award-winning destinations like MK Gallery, Milton Keynes Museum and Bletchley Park, plus community hubs such as York House Centre and The Old Bath House Centre, arts centres across Milton Keynes, Wolverton and Westbury, and some jewels of Milton Keynes – The Living Archive, and Arts Gateway MK. We have a rich and thriving cultural scene where there is something for everyone.

To showcase local artists and the wider industry, Milton Keynes hosts an abundance of events and festivals, including the annual Midsummer Festival, MK Festival of the arts, the biennial MK International Festival, Milton Keynes Literary Festival, StonyWords!, StonyLive!  and many more.

This bid will be won by highlighting the many grassroots organisations in Milton Keynes. Analysis of the profiles of previous winners show this to be true.

At The Play’s The Thing Theatre Company, we are already committed to providing the best for our city and the future generations. We are the only professional theatre company of its kind in the city that strives on giving communities a voice, women a platform, young people industry experiences, and paid opportunities for both professional and amateur actors and theatre makers.

We have delivered three ‘Taking The Stage’ festivals - a four-day celebration of inspirational women in theatre and the arts. The festival has brought key industry figures to Milton Keynes Gallery like Ita O’Brien, the internationally renowned Intimacy Co-ordinator, Lynda Rooke, President of Equity, Jenny Sealey OBE, the Artistic Director of the amazing company Graeae and Winsome Pinnock the first black playwright at the National.

‘Taking The Stage’ has attracted national attention and has earned strong reviews from The Stage and our audiences that praised us for our inclusive approach and delivery. It is an incredibly inspiring event

We will continue to develop these opportunities and inspiring events to help us improve, reshape and reposition our cultural offering in the city.

The City of Culture launched in 2009 and is run by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). So far four cities have won this competitive bidding scheme - Derry-Londonderry, Kingston-Upon-Hull, Coventry and Bradford.

Longlisted bidders receive £60,000 to help with their applications and the 2029 winners will receive £10 million in funding.

Milton Keynes City Council is managing the bid in partnership with various local organisations, including The Open University, Stadium MK and Universal. Both residents and communities will also be invited to help shape the bid.

Bringing together local organisations, culture leaders, artists, businesses and communities to demonstrate how culture is already embedded in everyday life is paramount. This will bring our bid to life.

As the only professional company of its kind in Milton Keynes we look forward to taking part in the forthcoming planned consultations and workshops. Grassroots organisations will be key to winning this bid as analysis of previous winners will reveal.

Being named UK City of Culture will transform Milton Keynes. The recognition will confirm that Milton Keynes celebrates its diverse voices to provide a city where culture thrives.

We will continue to work collaboratively to shine a spotlight on local talent across theatre, plus offer platforms and opportunities for all artists to be seen and heard. We will do this all while helping to develop and deliver creative and ambitious programmes to leave a positive lasting impression that shapes the city’s future.

Winning this award is not about a year of fantastic cultural events and celebrating what we have, it’s about reshaping and strengthening the cultural offering for future stability, inspiring the next generation of theatre makers, ensuring the arts are accessible, and boosting the local economy.

The process we are currently undergoing for the bid gives us a fantastic opportunity to take a deep dive into what we have now and areas that we can improve on or invest in for an even more creative and vibrant city.

If you are asked to be part of the bid, we urge you to have your say.

We should hear the results towards the end of the year. Our fingers are firmly crossed!