Get Involved

Working with MK College, MAKE and with Future Producer’s Ambassador Hannah Olarewaju, creator of the Music Room at Milton Keynes Gallery, Future Producers 2021 was launched in May.

The competition was designed to inspire and encourage young people to develop events in and around the Fossil, aiming to support new ideas and grow emerging talent. Young people were invited to submit proposals for public events focused on any art form including environment, dance, music, visual art or community activity.

Four shortlisted proposals from MRFS, ARioT, Renee and Excel were considered by a panel of judges made up of Andy Merritt (Future Fossil artist), Hannah Olarewaju (Future Producers 2021 Ambassador), Roz Mascarenhas (MK Council Youth Participation Worker), Moriam Grillo (Future Fossil Engagement Producer), Simon Wright (Milton Keynes Festival Fringe) and Fiona Boundy (MK Council Creative and Cultural Manager).

The judges were very impressed with all the shortlisted proposals, which featured innovative and creative ideas for new events in the city.

In the end, two proposals were selected by the panel as winners:

Renee’s proposal for an event focusing on a programme of talks exploring sustainable ways of living, participatory art workshops and live painting. Renee is aged 17 and studying for A’ Levels at Shenley Brook End School.

“The purpose of the event is to spread awareness on climate change and the small eco-friendly changes [people] can make to their lives. It will also provide those who don’t have easy access to art materials a chance to express their creativity for free.“

MRFS is a collective made up of Meredith, Rhianna, Malaika and Shaan, and their proposal was inspired by the early days of the city in the 1970s and will include an environmentally designed fashion show with local artists and musicians. MRFS are students of Hazeley Academy and all are studying for ‘A’ levels in the 6th form.

“We want to celebrate the success of Milton Keynes by looking back to its early roots, the 1970s. A time of love and peace, embracing nature and looking forward to the future, something that we can all learn from in these trying times.“

Over the coming months the winners visit many different events and work closely with Future Fossil artist Andy Merritt and the Future Fossil team to develop their initial ideas. Recently, MRFS have volunteered at IF: Milton Keynes International Festival, had a tour behind the scenes and watched shows such as Black Victorians. Renee has visited the IF:MK Art Installations including Anna Berry’s Breathing Room and was fascinated by the kinetic movement and sounds.

Over the summer they will explore events online and in person, and in the autumn take part in skills, mentoring and production development to realise their small-scale events, which will take place at Future Fossil. Both events will be at Future Fossil in Oxley Park in Spring 2022.

Free Do-At-Home Activities
Art Pack 1 – Available to download here

The first of three art packs features a fantastic array of family-friendly activities, inviting you to explore the ideas behind the artwork and create your own artworks. The activities include: Make Your Own Future Fossil, Build an Origami House and Colour-in Oxley Park Insects drawn by Andy Merritt... to name just a few.

Share pictures of what you have made with us on social media channels and we will feature you as part of the Oxley Park Community Gallery.

on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

We are establishing a Friends of the Fossil group inviting enthusiastic people to develop ideas for future events and activities in and around the Fossil. The Friends will act as custodians of the sculpture and be active ambassadors for the project, encouraging others to get involved and take part.

If you are interested in becoming a ‘Friend of the Fossil’ or would like to volunteer for community events please email: Moriam or Ursy (Future Fossil Engagement Producers) takepart@futurefossil.online