MK City Council unveils poster exhibition across city to celebrate local creativity as part of City of Culture bid

A new series of posters celebrating Milton Keynes’ people, places and stories is to go on display across the city as part of the city’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2029.

The collection features work from local artists and designers who were invited to share their own creative response to Milton Keynes’ bid to become UK City of Culture. Commissioned by MK creative agency Pooleyville, the posters reflect different aspects of local life, from the city’s history and distinctive design to its communities, culture, landscape and future ambitions.

Featured in the exhibition are local artists Thomas Cuthbertson, Thomas Eke, Chris Henley, ChiaChun Li, Made by Berry, Marianna Madriz, Serge Seidlitz, Sahaana Shankar, Frances Szweda, Rookie Services and WHP Creative. The posters will be displayed in multiple locations, with MK City Council offering their thanks to Centre:MK, MKDP and Unity Place for sharing spaces where they will be seen.

The collection of artworks reflects Milton Keynes through many different perspectives. From typography and illustration to photography and graphic design, the posters explore themes including community, architecture, wildlife, culture, heritage and innovation, while showcasing the breadth of creative talent that has been nurtured in the city.

As well as celebrating local talent, the exhibition encourages people to look beyond Milton Keynes’ well-known infrastructure and recognise the people, ideas and communities that have been building the city’s cultural identity for almost 60 years.

Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, Cllr Jane Carr, said, “These posters are a celebration of the creativity, talent and stories that make Milton Keynes such a special place, and each artwork offers a different perspective on our city. It’s a reminder that culture can be found everywhere in Milton Keynes and reflects the energy and ambition at the heart of our UK City of Culture bid.”

Simon Wright, Pooleyville, added, “Milton Keynes has an active creative scene bubbling under the surface. This project is about putting some of that creativity into view – and giving people who live and work in the city the opportunity to define Milton Keynes for themselves.

“We wanted to support the City of Culture bid because 2029 could be a genuine opportunity to change the way people see the city, while also creating new opportunities for the artists, designers, cultural organisations and creative businesses already working here. A successful bid would bring attention, investment and new commissions, but more importantly it could give Milton Keynes’ creative sector the platform to grow.”