About Us

The Arts & Heritage Alliance Milton Keynes (AHA-MK) is a forum of organisations that work together to position the cultural sector as a strategic contributor to the community and economy of Milton Keynes.  We promote, represent and develop arts and heritage, collaboratively delivering or supporting exciting activities.  Through our work we champion the rich heritage and the creative future of Milton Keynes.

AHA-MK is the lead organisation for MAKE, the Milton Keynes Cultural Education Partnership. Together we nourish and support the creative and cultural wellbeing of our children and young people.

Being a member of AHA-MK provides opportunities to work collaboratively to represent, promote and develop the cultural offer in Milton Keynes and the wider region.  Benefits for members include:

REPRESENT

Helping to assemble evidence of the impact of arts and heritage activity in Milton Keynes to assist in making the case for support to funders and strategic organisations Demonstrating – locally, regionally and nationally – the successes and achievements of Milton Keynes’ arts and heritage organisations Responding to consultations on strategic issues with the collective views of the whole membership

PROMOTE

Involvement in collaborative activities aimed at increasing members’ audiences and raising the profile of arts and heritage in Milton Keynes Support and benefit from collaborative promotion of the city’s cultural offer to the people of Milton Keynes, the business sector, stakeholders and decision-makers Support and benefit from collaborative promotion of the value of arts and heritage to the economic and social development of Milton Keynes

DEVELOP

Opportunities to experience and learn from the programme of inspirational speakers and workshops. Access to learning resources specifically developed by and for members Seeking and sharing best practice through continuous professional development (CPD), projects and shared opportunities Participation in discussion and development of initiatives and activities that address key issues or opportunities for the sectors Opportunities for networking, developing joint activities, creating mutually beneficial partnerships

If you are interested in joining AHA-MK, and feel that your organisation contributes strategically to the development of arts and heritage in Milton Keynes, please contact the team via Director@ahamk.org.

The Team

Director – Hannah Ellams

With a BA (Hons) in Visual Arts and History from Cheltenham Art College, Hannah completed her MA in Curating Contemporary Design (a partnership programme between Kingston University and the Design Museum London) whilst working as a Project Manager for The National Portrait Gallery.

She has worked for Local Authorities, Independent Trusts, National Museums and volunteer led organisations. Hannah set up her own freelance consultancy in April 2021 and has been supporting several local heritage and community organisations around Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and wider afield. Her experience covers community development, audience consultation, partnership working, activities and events, operations, project management and fundraising. Hannah is also the Chair of Slough Museum.

Hannah is excited to be part of the AHA-MK team, to champion the rich heritage and creative future of Milton Keynes. With close family based in Milton Keynes since the 1950s, the local area is close to her heart. Her email is Director@ahamk.org

Structure and Governance

AHA-MK is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO), charity number: 1158874.  We have a CIO Constitution and are governed by a board of trustees.

Our trustees are:

Simon Kearey (Chair) Chair@ahamk.org

Emma Courtney (Vice Chair)

Victoria Mayes

Rob Gifford (Treasurer) Finance@ahamk.org

Laxman Kastala

Yvonne Owuor

Afreen Patel

Julie Dawes

Image: MK Hindu Association at Museum of the Moon by Luke Jerram. Tree Cathedral. IF Milton Keynes International Festival 2021. Photo ©Shaun Armstrong scaled.jpg

Data Protection

We care about you and your data, to find out how we use your data please see our privacy policy