MÓTUS
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
MÓTUS was established in 2013 by professional dancers based in Milton Keynes, who through over 20 years of professional work around the country and internationally, recognised that there was a huge absence in relation to accessing high-quality, regular dance programming within Milton Keynes; mainly due to there being no dance programming houses alongside the folding of Bucks Dance - our regional dance agency. MÓTUS recognised the potential sitting and waiting to be harnessed in the region and so, MÓTUS was born.
Since its inception, MÓTUS has presented nine festivals hosting an eclectic, exciting and diverse programme of work from national and internationally celebrated companies. Our performance programme takes place across the city in free public open spaces, within the centre:mk, across our cultural venues (with The Venue MK being our partner venue) and within sited areas which make interesting performance spaces. We programme high quality work on the British touring circuit to include Phoenix Dance Theatre, Aakash Odedra, Motionhouse, Company Chameleon, Joli Vyann, James Cousins, Charlotte Vincent, Jose Agudo’s ‘Carmen’ alongside creating our own showcases of work and creative ventures. JUMP START is our U.Dance endorsed youth dance platform which welcomes hundreds of young dancers to The Venue:MK annually to share talent, creativity and passion.
MÓTUS also programmes workshops and masterclasses at all levels throughout the year and is becoming a recognisable name in support of new dance work and emerging dance artists through the ADJUSTMENTS platforms - presenting and discussing new work. These platforms are a space to try new ideas for work and provide feedback to artists through discussions with live audiences and a panel of arts professionals.
Since MÓTUS began it has celebrated increased collaboration in Milton Keynes between artistic groups and ideas. MÓTUS is delighted to be supported by Arts Council England, Milton Keynes Council, Milton Keynes Community Foundation, The D’Oyly Carte Foundation and the Leche Trust.
For more information about MÓTUS please contact us.
Our Mission
Our mission is to see our theatres and arts scenes bustling with life from every age group and from every sector of the community - everyone is welcome here.
Meet the MÒTUS team
Cameron Ball
General Manager
To find out more about Cameron click here
To contact Cameron click here
Carrie Browne
Youth, Outreach and Education Manager
To find out more about Carrie click here
To contact Carrie click here
To view the MÒTUS Board
please click here
To view the Company
Policies please click here
Credit: Motionhouse - 'Volatile'
An Inspirational Leader
We commemorate the passing of our founder and artistic director Helen Parlor. Helen set dance on fire for us in Milton Keynes, bringing her creativity, tenacity, and passion from her years of international touring and choreography. MÓTUS exists because of her commitment to both creating and developing dancers and using dance as a tool to bring people together.
MÓTUS and Milton Keynes were lucky to have Helen as a cultural leader for so many years and we are grateful for the uplifting, dynamic, emotional, challenging and funny, performances she brought to us.
Helen arriving in a room was like the light coming on – her warmth to all she met, massive smiles, keenness to say ‘yes’ and ‘let's do it’. She was a friend to so many and we will miss her.
How you can work with MÓTUS
Fundraising Success
MÓTUS has secured funding from ACE (Arts Council England) until July 2024 alongside funding from Milton Keynes Community Foundation, Walton Community Council, The D'Oyly Carte Trust and The Foyle Foundation to run an exciting and dynamic programme of dance events, performances and workshops across the communities of Milton Keynes alongside curating a festival programme in Middleton Hall within the shopping centre.
The work over this period has a focus on celebrating female choreographers and performers alongside diverse and relevant work for our communities. The programme will be accessible - we will present work that is free or with subsidised ticket prices so Milton Keynes communities are able to access international touring work at affordable prices.
With this support from MÓTUS's local and national partners, 2023/24 will be filled with amazing events, workshops and shows — we look forward to increasing our reach into the community and beyond as well as focusing on female-driven dance companies and artistic directors.
We would like to thank everyone who helped make this happen. If you are a community group within Milton Keynes that is dance or non dance related who are interested In getting involved in our dance programme - which will have a focus on creating work and the art of choreography - please do get in touch as MÓTUS will be offering a series of workshops alongside the performance programme so communities are able to be involved in the process of creating and experimenting in dance theatre. You can drop us a line at schools@motusdance.co.uk.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
We are so lucky that the dedicated team at MOTUS work so hard to enhance the dance culture in Milton Keynes.
Workshop Participant