Twenty-four arts venues and organisations are combining forces under the banner of the Arts Open Weekend on 14, 15 and 16 May to invite visitors to participate in a selection of workshops and tours, to enjoy an exhibition, listen to music or buy some craft.  Participating venues include Milton Keynes Gallery, Milton Keynes Theatre, artworks-mk, InterAction MK, Madcap, and MK City Church.
  
“This weekend is about enjoying the fantastic arts that are on our doorstep” said Lady Rima Scott, Chair of the Arts & Heritage Alliance, the organisation responsible for this initiative.  She added “There is so much choice in Milton Keynes, and we would like to encourage everyone to go out and try something different over this weekend.”

This, the second year of Arts Open Weekend, has more activities available than last year, with heritage sites such as City Discovery Centre (Bradwell Abbey) joining  forces with a craft fair and demonstrations by a chainsaw artist plus Vagabond Cinema will be showing the Buster Keaton silent movie ‘The General’ with live piano accompaniment at St Georges Church.

Lucy Bedford, Arts Open Weekend Project Manager said, “We are really pleased that this year there are more events on offer with venues such as the City Church, University Centre, Open University and Play Association adding to the programme.  We also have a broad spectrum of activities ranging from dance and drama to craft, visual arts, film and live music. ”

To see the full programme, pop into the library or one of the participating venues or download a programme from www.aha-mk.org/artsopenweekend.htm  

Alongside this, BBC Blast are running free creative workshops from the Buszy; home of Make a Difference (near CMK Train Station) for 13-19 year olds.  Sessions can be booked by visiting: www.bbc.co.uk/blast.