The milestone highlights the organisation’s long-standing role in shaping Milton Keynes’ cultural landscape through festivals, workshops and public events that bring people together through shared creative experiences.
Founded with the belief that the arts can connect communities and encourage dialogue, MKIAC, a national award-winning Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation (NPO), has spent the past two decades creating accessible cultural spaces across the city. From artist-led workshops and educational programmes to large-scale public festivals, the organisation has welcomed thousands of participants and audiences to explore the relationship between art, science, heritage and storytelling.
The anniversary year will be celebrated through a programme of events across 2026, beginning with Art in the Park, which returns to Campbell Park on 6 June 2026. Now in its 18th year, the much-loved outdoor festival is expected to welcome more than 12,000 visitors, offering a day of live performances, community workshops, art installations and cultural celebrations.
This year’s programme will explore the theme of ‘transition’, reflecting both MKIAC’s 25-year journey and Milton Keynes’ own evolution as the city approaches its 60th anniversary. Highlights will include the Parade of Colour, community-led creative workshops, live music and dance performances, as well as a book launch by author Nadia Khan alongside a symposium hosted in a traditional yurt titled ‘Dance Histories: A Journey Across the Muslim Silk Road’, led by journalist Bidisha Mamata.
The symposium and accompanying book explore the rich cultural and spiritual traditions of dance across the Muslim and non-Muslim world. Through personal stories and historical insight, the work highlights how dance reflects worship, celebration and political expression, tracing traditions from Sufi whirling dervishes to Central Asian folk dance, and offering a powerful re-framing of global dance heritage.
The festival will also feature a unique poetry and storytelling session, where artists will gather stories from visitors throughout the day and present them as part of a live creative performance. This moment celebrates the power of human creativity and storytelling, reinforcing MKIAC’s mission to make the arts accessible and meaningful for communities across the city.
The anniversary celebrations follow recent national recognition for the organisation. MKIAC recently received a Sanctuary Award, recognising its work supporting communities seeking refuge and its wider contribution to promoting inclusion and cultural understanding in Milton Keynes.
Over the past 25 years, MKIAC has consistently championed the idea that culture should be collaborative and rooted in community participation. Through its events and programmes, the organisation continues to connect artistic tradition with contemporary ideas, encouraging people of all ages to explore creativity and cultural heritage.
MKIAC Founder and Creative Director, Anouar Kassim, said: "What makes MKIAC special is that it has always grown with the community around it. The past 25 years have shown how powerful creativity can be in bringing people together, whether through festivals, conversations or shared artistic experiences. Art in the Park is a perfect example of that spirit, where people from across Milton Keynes come together to celebrate culture, creativity and connection."
As MKIAC celebrates its anniversary year, the organisation is looking ahead to the next chapter of its work in Milton Keynes. By continuing to connect heritage, creativity and innovation, it aims to inspire new audiences and ensure the arts remain an important part of the city’s cultural future.
For more information about MKIAC and its 2026 events, visit https://www.mkiac.org
