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About Us

ENRICHING LIVES THROUGH ART AND CULTURE

Mission 

"Milton Keynes Islamic Arts and Culture (MKIAC) is a national award-winning charity and Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. We are dedicated to enriching communities through the exploration and celebration of Islamic arts, heritage, and culture. Established in the wake of 9/11, MKIAC’s mission is to create spaces for understanding, promote cultural exchange, and foster unity across diverse communities by using the transformative power of arts and education.

Our initiatives, such as the School Outreach Programmes, Refugee Women's Empowerment, and the Spoken Word Programme, are designed to break down cultural barriers, build confidence, and equip individuals with the tools to navigate an increasingly interconnected world. Through our flagship events, Art in the Park and City of Codes & Light Festival, we bring people together to celebrate diversity, embrace creativity, and explore the role of art and technology in shaping our emerging pioneers.

At MKIAC, we believe in the power of inclusive education, creativity, and community to drive positive change and cultivate a deeper understanding of the rich cultural traditions that inspire us all.

 

Our Values

 

Our Partners

We work with a wide range of partners to deliver our programmes. Current partners include MK College Group, Bletchley Park, Five Dimensions Trust, Milton Keynes Council, AHA, The Open University, Milton Keynes Music Hub, The Parks Trust and MK Museum.

We are proud to have become a supporting organisation of City of Sanctuary, click to read the City of Sanctuary Charter

Please get in touch if you would like to work with us.

“MKIAC brings diverse communities together through their meaningful and inclusive arts and culture programmes. I have seen first-hand how they inspire young people to embrace their cultural heritage and how they provide creative outlets which have positive impacts on their mental health. This is why I chose them as my Charity of the Year in 2021–2022. Established 20 years ago in response to rising hate crimes due to 9/11, they have been able to bring communities together successfully in Buckinghamshire and neighbouring towns.” Cllr Mohammad Khan, Former Mayor of Milton Keynes, 2021 - 2022

“MKIAC always creative and always inclusive.”  Peter Sanders, Peter Sanders Photography

“MKIAC is an organization that understands that art enables the deepest truths to penetrate into the hearts and souls of all types of people and to connect individuals of all backgrounds to what transcends our differences and unites us all as human beings.”  Baraka Blue, Artist

You can read more about our 20 year journey in the 20th-anniversary booklet, here.

Sponsors

MKIAC is a not-for-profit organisation and a registered charity. We'd like to thank our supporters who enable us to produce high-quality arts and culture work and support community cohesion.

MKIAC is a diverse grassroots that right from its infancy, has been a bench-setter for embracing diversity and inclusion. As well as events, the organisation has a strong educational outreach programme. We also offer consultancy services in diversity and inclusion, focused on interpreting Islamic arts and culture to a wide audience. We can help in establishing educational programmes in schools, organising exhibitions and large-scale festivals.  Be in touch with us at mkiac@mkcollege.ac.uk to discuss this further.

 

Our team