Find the perfect gift with our Gift Vouchers
The MAC is open Tuesday - Sunday, 9am - 5pm. Our galleries are open from 11am - 5pm and CaféBar serves food from 9am - 3.30pm, and drinks and snacks until closing (later on show nights). Check the What's On page to find out more.
It stands for Metropolitan Arts Centre but we're happy for you to call us the MAC, whichever you prefer.
Our award-winning venue in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter is home to all
kinds of exhibitions, theatre performances, experimental works and
endless goings-on. There are 3 art galleries and two theatres, a free
family room and a Cafe Bar.
The MAC opened its doors to the public on 20 April 2012.
You can book tickets anytime online at themaclive.com. You can book via telephone on 02890 235053 or in person, 9am - 5pm, Tues - Sun.
We have two theatres at the MAC. Our 350 seater, known as Downstairs at the MAC and our 120 seater, Upstairs at the MAC.
Like airlines, our prices start low and rise the closer we get to the
performance. Unlike airlines, we can guarantee that our prices will
never be cheaper than they are today.
The MAC is part of Saint Anne's Square behind St. Anne's Cathedral.
Our address is 10 Exchange Street West, Belfast, BT1 2NJ. The main
entrance is off the square, but you can also pop in via Exchange Street
West.
We're just a stone's throw from the centre of town and easy to reach, whatever mode of transport you use.
You can park securely at Saint Anne's Square multi-storey car park,
which is on Edward Street right beside the MAC. The car park is open 24
hours.
Yes, the MAC is open on Sundays. We want the MAC to play its part in making our city centre a fun, busy and exciting place to be.
We're open Tuesday - Sunday, from 9am to 5pm, and later on show
nights. As well as our shows and exhibitions, we have a range of
activities, talks, tours and happenings to make sure you get the most
out of your visit to the MAC.
Yes, babies up to 12 months old are included in this policy.
We are committed to providing the best possible customer service
to everyone visiting the MAC so we've made the MAC as family-friendly as
possible. We have baby changing facilities, the entire building is
buggy friendly, we welcome breastfeeding and our in-house Café offers a
reasonably priced children’s menu offering freshly cooked meals.
If you are 60yrs old or over, you can avail of our Seniors ticket rate.
Those aged 15 and under can avail of a child's ticket. Babies aged under 12 months go free. 16-24 years can sign up for £5 tickets on selected shows. Otherwise, they can purchase an adult ticket.
Yes. The MAC is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. Read our full Safeguarding policy.
The MAC was created with a series of investments totalling £18m. The
total package was made up by significant support from Department for
Culture Arts & Leisure, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Department
for Social Development, Laganside Corporation and Belfast City Council,
as well as contributions from charitable foundations and the business
sector.
The MAC is also a charity and we work raise £500,000 ourselves,
as well as rely on the generosity of our visitors and loyal audience to
help us do that. By making a one-off donation, or a regular direct debit
gift, you can really make a difference.
Find out more about what your donation could be used for here.
We ran an International Open Design Competition with Royal Institute of British Architects to select the team that would design the MAC. We received responses from architects from all around the world including Japan, the USA, Australia, mainland Europe, London, Dublin and of course, Belfast. Following a rigorous selection procedure, Belfast-based firm Hackett Hall McKnight were appointed to lead an integrated design team to design the MAC. Hackett Hall McKnight went on to win the UK-wide Young Architect of the Year Award in October 2008.
We think they have designed a stunning building; we hope you agree.
The MAC has been built by Bowen Mascott JV (a company owned by Mascott Construction Ltd).
The MAC's curatorial team is always interested in receiving updates
from both emergent and established artists in the form of invitations,
publications, e-flyers and web links. This forms part of its ongoing
process of research. However, the team cannot accept unsolicited
exhibition proposals and is therefore sadly unable to reply to these
submissions.
Just email [email protected]
