A Year of Creativity and Commitment: The MAC Unveils Its 2025/26 Theme — Climate in Action
At the MAC, we’ve always believed in the transformative power of creativity — not just as something to be admired, but as something that can ignite conversations, challenge norms, and drive change. As we look ahead to our 2025/26 season, we’re proud to announce Climate in Action as our annual theme — a call to engage, reflect, and respond to one of the most urgent challenges of our time.
Climate in Action isn’t just a theme. It’s a mindset, a commitment, and a pledge to embed sustainability across everything we do — from the work we present on our stages and in our galleries, to the behind-the-scenes decisions that shape our operations. It’s about recognising that we all have a role to play in creating a more sustainable future — and that even the smallest action can ripple outward into real impact.
This year-long focus invites artists, audiences, and communities to explore how creativity can become a powerful tool for environmental awareness and change. Through bold artistic programming and practical steps across our organisation, we’re turning climate awareness into climate action — and encouraging others to do the same.
Why Climate? Why Now?
The climate crisis is one of the defining issues of our generation. We are living through a time of accelerating environmental change — from biodiversity loss and rising global temperatures to shifting weather patterns and increasing pressure on natural resources.
At the MAC, we recognise our platform as a cultural venue not just to showcase creativity, but to help shape the conversation around climate and sustainability. Culture has a vital role to play in making complex issues more relatable — translating data into emotion, urgency into empathy, and headlines into human stories.
Through Climate in Action, we’re asking: How can creative practice become part of the solution? How can art help us reimagine the future — not with despair, but with possibility?
A Season Rooted in Sustainability
Throughout 2025/26, Climate in Action will guide the MAC’s artistic, educational and community programming. Audiences can expect exhibitions, performances, and participatory events that invite reflection, spark dialogue, and centre environmental responsibility.
From visual storytelling to immersive learning experiences, the season will spotlight artists and ideas that provoke thought and inspire action. But it’s not just what’s on display that matters — it’s how we make it happen.
We’re taking meaningful steps to green our operations behind the scenes, from sustainable production methods and eco-conscious procurement, to energy-efficient building upgrades and waste-reduction strategies. These aren’t isolated changes — they’re part of an ongoing effort to rethink how we function as a cultural organisation in a climate-conscious world.
A Word from Our Director, Lisa McGinley.
“With Climate in Action, we’re using our platform to inspire collective responsibility and creative problem-solving. This season is a pledge — to our planet, our audiences, and our future — that we are not just observing the climate crisis, but actively responding to it.”
A Collective Journey
We know that real change doesn’t happen in isolation. That’s why Climate in Action is also about connection — working with our community, local partners, and fellow changemakers to build a network of care, creativity, and commitment.
Whether you’re visiting the MAC for a show, joining a workshop, following our sustainability updates, or simply engaging in your own way — you’re part of this story. Together, we can imagine and create a future where sustainability isn’t an add-on, but a core value that runs through every aspect of cultural life.
Stay Connected
Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing more about the Climate in Action programme, highlighting the artists, events and initiatives that are shaping this pivotal season.
Let’s put climate into action — together.
Follow us on social media for updates and inspiration @theMACbelfast, #ClimateInAction. Be part of our green journey!
