Glossary
Some of the words in the survey have specific meanings in the world of public-sector arts funding and city bids. This page explains them in plain English.
- UK City of Culture
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A title awarded every four years by the UK Government to one city or place. It comes with funding, prestige, and a programme of cultural activity across the year. Previous winners: Derry/Londonderry (2013), Hull (2017), Coventry (2021), Bradford (2025). Milton Keynes is bidding for the next round.
Used in: All questions
- Co-commission
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When two or more organisations jointly fund and shape a piece of work — a play, an installation, a festival programme. Sharing the cost and the creative direction. Different from sponsorship (where you put money in but don't shape the work).
Used in: Question 5
- Four nations
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England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — the four constituent countries of the United Kingdom. A "four nations" programme is one that deliberately reaches audiences and partners across all four, not just England.
Used in: Question 6
- Show-stopper moment
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A single high-impact event in the year's programme designed to capture wide attention — usually one that hits national or international news. Think Hull's "Blade" sculpture installation, or Coventry 2021's opening night.
Used in: Question 2
- Rooted in the story of the place
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Work that draws on the specific history, geography, communities, and identity of Milton Keynes — not generic programming that could happen anywhere. MK's status as a planned city, its grid roads, its diverse communities, its arts venues are all part of "the story of the place".
Used in: Question 3
- Creative sector
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The broad family of industries built around creative work: music, theatre, dance, visual arts, design, film, games, writing, fashion, architecture, crafts. Includes both established institutions (galleries, venues) and individual practitioners (artists, freelancers).
Used in: Questions 4, 5
- Programme (the)
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In bid language, "the programme" means the full year of events, performances, installations, commissions, and activity that would happen if MK wins City of Culture. Not just one event — the whole curated arc across the year.
Used in: All questions
- Commission (verb / noun)
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To commission someone is to pay them to make new work for a specific occasion. A "commission" can also mean the piece of work itself. New commissions are usually a major part of a City of Culture programme — funding artists to make work that wouldn't otherwise exist.
Used in: Question 5