The MAC

How Theatres Trust's support is helping an arts centre in Northern Ireland

The MAC is the first purpose-built arts centre in Belfast and a key destination for arts and culture in the city. Since opening in 2012, the cultural hub has welcomed over 3 million visitors and has staged over 3,000 productions across its dedicated theatre and performance spaces.

Our involvement with the MAC goes right back to its very beginning when Theatres Trust was delighted to help play a role in securing this important venue by providing advice on the initial plans during the theatre’s development.

We have since continued to support the centre and were even lucky enough to have Anne McReynolds, the MAC’s former Chief Executive Officer, on our Board of Trustees from 2009 - 2012.

Most recently we have supported the theatre with funding through our grant schemes.

In 2023 we helped the MAC strengthen its commitment to accessibility by funding the purchase of a new foyer announcement system through our Small Grants Programme supported by The Linbury Trust. The new system has improved communication across the venue’s multiple spaces for D/deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing audiences, helping to make the MAC more inclusive and welcoming.  

Last year the theatre also secured a grant through our Theatre Improvement Scheme, delivered in association with the Wolfson Foundation, to purchase a new heat pump system that will help the venue to improve working conditions in its main offices while cutting emissions by 1.4 tonnes of carbon per year.

We are delighted to support the MAC in becoming a more accessible and sustainable theatre by helping to improve and futureproof its spaces for the benefit of everyone.

This case study was produced as part of our Fifty@50 campaign to mark our 50th anniversary in 2026. 

Photo credit: Melissa Gordon