Momentum is building behind Milton Keynes’ bid to be the UK’s 2029 City of Culture with businesses and community organisations stepping forward to back the bid.
Support is growing from a wide range of well-known organisations, including The Open University, MK Community Foundation, MK College, centre:mk and MK Dons, alongside smaller independent businesses and grassroots community groups that together reflect the energy and diversity of Milton Keynes.
Across the city, events are bringing people together to shape the bid, with businesses, arts groups, charities and faith groups joining residents in conversations about what Milton Keynes stands for and what it could become. Schools are also playing an important role, with children and young people sharing their ideas and helping to imagine a bold cultural future for their city.
Milton Keynes City Council’s Cabinet is set to approve the bid process next week, marking a major step forward in the process and signalling the city’s shared ambition to compete strongly for the national title. The message from partners is clear, the bid will only succeed if it is truly built by the people of Milton Keynes.
If successful, the title would bring millions in investment, attract visitors, create jobs and open up new cultural and leisure opportunities across Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas.
Businesses and community organisations are being encouraged to get involved in ways that suit them, whether that’s something simple like sharing messages, displaying support in windows or online, or going further by hosting events, creating new experiences or bringing the bid into their own spaces. In other cities, this kind of collective effort has helped to create powerful and visible support that captures attention and builds momentum. There’s no need for anyone to ask permission, as the bid belongs to everyone in Milton Keynes.
There’s still time to join in, with suggestions on how to get involved at www.destinationmiltonkeynes.co.uk
“Success depends on the whole city getting involved. This is not just a campaign, but a chance to bring people together, showcase what makes Milton Keynes special and create something lasting for the future.
“People often say we punch above our weight, but I believe it is the people of Milton Keynes who make this city what it is and who continue to shape its path. We have always been on a journey towards something bigger, and if Milton Keynes wins, the benefits will be felt across the whole city.”
“As the city’s biggest art studio provider and curator of its literary festival, Arts Gateway MK has seen Milton Keynes’ growing creative community become an intrinsic part of the city’s culture. The collaboration of arts and community organisations with MK residents of all ages and backgrounds means the creative scene is bursting with innovation, ideas and the potential for enormous cultural growth in 2029."
“centre:mk is proud to support Milton Keynes’ bid to become UK City of Culture 2029. As one of the UK’s leading retail destinations, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each week, we see first-hand the energy, diversity and creativity that make this city so special. This bid is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Milton Keynes as a vibrant place to visit, shop and spend time, while creating new experiences that will drive footfall, support businesses, and bring even more life to our city.”
“Milton Keynes is such special place and ever since our designation as a new city we have welcomed hundreds of thousands of people to share in this unique place. Our richly diverse communities and “it can be done” attitude would make Milton Keynes one of the most significant, impactful and life-changing cities of culture ever to be delivered. To 2029 and beyond….."
The submission will be made in August, with the Government expected to announce the next round of shortlisted places in the Autumn.
