Beds and Bucks Vibrant Art Scene

London is often viewed as the place to visit if you want to enrich your life with art. However, here in the Beds and Bucks area we have a very active and vibrant art scene right on our doorsteps.

Here are a few of the exhibitions and regular events you can explore.

Festivals and Fairs

These arts fairs are held annually and feature local and renowned national artists.

Bucks Art Week Bucks – Art Weeks brings together the work of hundreds of contemporary artists and makers around Buckinghamshire at various sites and pop ups throughout the county. This year it will be held 8th 23rd June 2024.

Mentmore Art Festival – This annual festival is held in the village of Mentmore it also has a refreshments tent including Pimms and local beer. The festival features over 60 local artists. The 14th festival is Saturday 25th May to Bank Holiday Monday 27th May 2024 from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Leighton Buzzard Art Society Leighton Buzzard Art Society host an annual exhibition (usually in October) to showcase the work of members.

Buzz Cinema Buzz Cinema is a film festival celebrating and uniting creative people in and around Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Hertfordshire. For one week, it takes over the historic town of Leighton Buzzard with short films from emerging filmmakers and industry professionals. The 2024 date is 4th -13th October

IF Milton Keynes International Festival Presenting a world-class, multi-arts programme the Festival includes new commissions, site-specific and community participation projects, large-scale/outdoor and family events, concerts, theatre, dance, music and visual arts installations. Held across many sites in Milton Keynes the festival will return in 2024.

Not in Beds and Bucks

Henry Moore Sculpture Garden It is worth hopping across the border into Hertfordshire to mention Henry Moore’s Sculpture Gardens and Studio. Explore 70 acres of garden exhibiting his work plus 6 studios there is a lot to see. The gardens close for winter and reopen on 28th March.

Public Art Galleries

The Higgins – Bedford Current exhibition Edward Bawden and Me
Wardown House Museum – Luton The Morning Room Art Gallery displays inspiring exhibitions throughout the year
Waddesdon Manor – Waddesdon. Home of the Rothschild Collection as well as regular exhibitions. Currently exhibiting Guercino: King David and the Wise Women
MK Gallery – Milton Keynes Currently showing American Photographer Saul Leiter – An Unfinished World.