The film of the making of the The Best Company tank.
And The Best Company Performance…
Audience Development Consultant Brief
The Arts & Heritage Alliance Milton Keynes (AHA-MK) is looking for a consultant(s) that can work with a collective of arts and heritage organisations to inform and support development of strategies that diversify, broaden and/or deepen their audiences.
AHA-MK is a strategic forum of arts and heritage organisations in Milton Keynes. We are a membership organisation that aims to represent, develop and promote the arts and heritage sectors of Milton Keynes. A key area of our work is audience development.
A group of organisations from our membership have come together to form a collective interested in practical audience development activity. The collective have attempted some work using surveys and the Audience Finder approach, but are in need of greater support to develop their knowledge and understanding and to make a meaningful difference to their audience development practice.
AHA-MK is looking for a consultant(s) who can work with six cultural organisations to develop audience research techniques, create bespoke solutions to meet challenges and opportunities, and support organisations through implementation and evaluation. This contract requires a hands-on approach embedding best practice and developing understanding of audience development theory through mentoring and practical experience.
The deadline for applications is: 18th December 2015.
For more information and details of how to apply please download the full brief: MK Audiences Consultant brief final.
AHA-MK Forum – 2nd December
Announcing ‘Great War MK Remembered’ – 6th November
If you’d like to join us for this event, please book your tickets here: ticketsource.co.uk/eventsmk
Catalyst Learning Resources Online
As the MK Catalyst project draws to a close, we have compiled the resources, presentations and training aids produced over the course of the project by a range of knowledgable trainers and contributors. These are now available on our website – here: www.aha-mk.org/catalyst
The resources address:
- Fundraising,
- Sponsorship,
- Crowd-funding,
- Membership and loyalty schemes,
- Social media,
- Branding
- Marketing strategies and much more
AHA-MK Forum – 2nd September
Join us at Arts Central (2nd Floor above MK Central Station) on 2nd September to hear about the social, financial, artistic and cultural value being produced through environmental best practice and a snap shot of some of the projects in planning for MK50.
We will be welcoming Luke Ramsay of Julie’ Bicycle to introduce us all to what environmental sustainability looks like in the arts and culture, and how cultural networks are developing collaborative responses to environmental issues. Through case studies and stories from the sector, they’ll reveal how environmental action is creating all kinds of social, financial, artistic and cultural value for the sector, and what opportunities exist for organisations and artists to engage with this growing, inspirational movement.
After lunch we will hear from some of the arts, heritage and cultural organisations that are already planning project and events for MK50 – Milton Keynes’ 50th anniversary in 2017.
For full details and booking information please see our Flyer: AHA 2nd September Forum Flyer
For the Fallen Comes to Campbell Park
Experience a large-scale commemorative dance at Campbell Park against the backdrop of 500 hand-made banners all inspired by WW1.
Sunday 5th July – FREE Event – two performances at 3pm and 5pm.
Westbury Arts Centre have been working with talented textile artist Vinny Stapley, schools, community groups and residents of Milton Keynes, between then they have produced over 500 commemorative banners. These banners will form part of a large-scale dance piece, choreographed by Helen Parlor, Effie McGuire-Ward and Chris Bradley, that involves over 100 dancers and will move around Campbell Park. Inspired by stories from the Great War and addressing themes of conflict, this will be a beautiful act of commemoration.
The banners will also be displayed at Westbury Arts Centre from 11th – 31st July.
For more information about the Great War MK project please visit our blog.
The Great War Remembered – an evening of live music and film
This May experience an evening of new compositions, music and film inspired by WW1. Living Archive has been working with Steven McDaniel, young talented songwriters, musicians and film makers to commission new works inspired by the WW1 stories held by Living Archive. This six month project builds on the previous work of the Living Archive Band, and new music, songs and films will be screened and performed live on Friday 29 May, 7pm at MK Gallery’s Event Space by this talented ensemble of performers.
Inspired by the diaries, letters and images of people in Milton Keynes during WW1, this one-off performance will provide a space for people to celebrate and reflect on the people, the lives and the poignant and powerful stories that are still relevant today.
Steven McDaniel says: ‘It is wonderful to work with such a passionate group of young people and great that Living Archive has given them this opportunity to work together and perform live…’ This project is just one of a series of projects funded through Great War MK by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The Great War Remembered – an evening of film and music is free but pre-booking is required from MK Gallery website (http://www.mkgallery.org/events/2015_05_29/friday_night_film/).
Festive Road need Great War MK Performers
We are looking for professional performers with a physical theatre background to be part of our Great War MK ‘Best Company’ performance in a tank. You will need to commit to specific rehearsal and performance dates. Please be aware that we anticipate a few more dates will be added to the tour schedule over the next month but that the show will only be available to tour between 19th June and 12th September 2015.
You’ll need to be used to working in a collaborative way and if you have any contemporary clown training this would also be desirable. For more information and details of how to apply download the: FR GWMK Call for performers
Best Company
A Physical Theatre show produced by Festive Road
A very funny take on a very real struggle as four friends get a WW1 tank into battle.
The Best Company are on their way to the Western Front but the external conflict is not the only thing occupying the crew’s thoughts. As we see, life inside the Mark 1 tank is busy, noisy and smelly. Tension among the company escalates and a hilarious and bizarre internal conflict occurs.
As the tank spins, the characters actions become more and more surreal… war is declared and the engine judders to a holt!
Will the Best Company get the Tank started again? Will they make it to the front line? Come and find out…
Sew, Stick or Knit a Poppy for the Great War MK Project
The Arts and Heritage Alliance MK is looking for groups and individuals to create and donate poppies, to be added to a WW1 centenary banner. Part of Westbury Arts Centre’s Banner Project, these banners will be included in an act of commemoration on 5th July at Campbell Park. This event will explore themes of conflict, involving over 100 dancers at Campbell Park – everyone is welcome.
To get involved: Find some fabric and cut out a poppy using the template provided on our website (or alternatively crochet or knit a poppy). Embroidery or sparkle can be added, as well as the name of a relative or local person that was involved in WW1. Photos of the poppies can be shared at www.Facebook.com/GreatWarMK or on Twitter using #GreatWarMK). Finally attach the slip from the Poppy Brief to the poppy and put them in a poppy collection box at your local MK Library. The deadline is 12 June 2015.
AHA would also love to hear any stories about relatives or local people that served in WW1.
The Poppy Brief and Poppy Template can be found here: www.greatwarmk.wordpress.com/poppies-call-out
Great War MK is a project exploring the impact of the First World War on the communities of Milton Keynes through research, commemorative events, activities and community workshops: www.GreatWarMK.wordpress.com
Please contact Lallie for more information: aha-mk@milton-keynes.gov.uk