Dressing CMK

CMK GETS INTO FESTIVAL MODE

THIS year’s Summer of Culture event has kicked off in Milton Keynes with Arts & Heritage Open Places and a whole programme of arts, sports and heritage will be continuing through to September.

Central Milton Keynes is embracing this festival frenzy with vibrant designs installed on 38 porte cocheres [black shelters straddling the boulevards] up the central reservation of Midsummer, Avebury and Silbury boulevards.

Milton Keynes Council invited artists to submit designs and Robert Rusin; well known locally for his art deco style MK posters, was chosen to create bold and colourful graphics for the top band of the porte cochere structures. “I am delighted and happy, having seen my colourful vision of Milton Keynes so literally materialised this summer” Robert told us, stating “Let's hope everyone likes it”.

The work is being installed over 5-days at the end of May and will remain up until mid-September when the festival period draws to a close.

Milton Keynes Council successfully secured a £96,000 grant from Arts Council England to work with artists and develop creative marketing schemes to offer a dynamic summer to compliment the Olympics.

Milton Keynes Mayor Catriona Morris, official spokesperson for the Summer of Culture, said: “It was particularly important to us that Milton Keynes looked dynamic and exciting whilst the national press and our peers are looking upon us. This artwork will be in place when the Torch Relay comes through the city centre in July, offering a stunning backdrop for audiences and visitors”.

Cllr David Hopkins, the Cabinet Member responsible for the local economy, added: "Milton Keynes is renowned for its numerous cultural attractions - from the many dozen pieces of public artwork and sculptures, dotted around the city, to the internationally renowned Stables Theatre and, of course, our superb award winning Theatre and Art Gallery.

"These types of attractions are vital to a place's social and economic wellbeing - simply put, if you live in a nice place with plenty going on and plenty to see, more people are going to want to come here, spending time and money here - and boosting the local economy."

The Summer Programme can be picked up from Get Smart Leaflet stands across the region or viewed on www.mksummerofculture.co.uk

The headline events for Summer of Culture includes the Norweigian Season at MK Gallery, IF: Milton Keynes International Festival and accompanying Fringe Festival and Milton Keynes’ first free Proms in the Park with MK City Orchestra as part of the national Olympiad project Godiva Awakes.