Today, Arts & Heritage Alliance Milton Keynes (AHA-MK) has been granted £99,400 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a unique project to commemorate the centenary of the First World War in Milton Keynes. From Conflict to Cosmopolis will see seven project partners from the AHA-MK membership collaborating through their heritage and arts activities to explore both the stories from 100 years ago and their legacy for modern Milton Keynes. There will be new film screenings, performances and exhibitions, all of which will give fresh insights into the turmoil – and creativity – of those times.
Modern Milton Keynes is richly cosmopolitan with over 80% of its ¼ million residents having originated from elsewhere – all over the UK, Europe, Asia and across the world. This project will target both native and new communities in Milton Keynes asking them to share and reflect upon stories from 100 years ago, and compare them across the city and across time to life in modern Milton Keynes. Interviews with local people, workshops and creative activities will provide new experiences for audiences to commemorate the centenary of the conflict. We will tour our productions around Milton Keynes city and into the historic locations and villages of the Metropolitan County of Milton Keynes.
AHA-MK works hard to foster collaboration between its members and this project will bring together large and small organisations to learn from each other and create engaging and thought-provoking responses to First World War themes and stories. From Conflict to Cosmopolis project partners are the Cowper and Newton Museum, Festive Road, Independent Cinema MK, Living Archive, MK Gallery, Pepper’s Ghost Theatre Company, Westbury Arts Centre and members of the Milton Keynes Heritage Association.
Commenting on the award, Euan Henderson, Chair of AHA-MK, said: “We are delighted to receive this support from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Our aim is for From Conflict to Cosmopolis to be a testament to the resilience of people in difficult times and a celebration of MK’s unique heritage. “