FAQ

When will The MAC open?

The MAC will open its doors at the end of 2011.

Where will it be?

It will be part of Saint Anne’s Square behind St Anne’s Cathedral.

Who designed the building?

OMAC and the Royal Institute of British Architects ran an International Open Design Competition 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.

Who is building The MAC?

The builders ( Bowen Mascott Joint Venture) began building on 11 December 2009, making it a very happy Christmas for all concerned.

Will it be open on Sundays?

Yes, The MAC will be 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 all like to shop but there is more to life that buying stuff and we want to give Belfast’s residents and visitors as many chances as possible to do something different during and outside normal shopping hours.

How is it funded?

The MAC has received very significant and welcome support from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Department for Social Development and Belfast City Council and several charitable foundations including Ulster Garden Villages.

Who has already given support to The MAC?

The MAC has received the endorsement of many prominent individuals including the backing of multi-Oscar winner Meryl Streep, who came to Belfast in 2007 to launch our fundraising campaign.

Meryl said:

“I am delighted that the authorities in Northern Ireland have the vision and understanding to support The MAC. I’m proud to celebrate and endorse this commitment to Northern Ireland's cultural renaissance."

Ciarán Hinds, Belfast-born, award-winnng actor, star of Spielburg’s Munich and HBO’s Rome, is also fan of The MAC and has lent us his support:

“When I was growing up, Belfast had nothing like The MAC. It is crucial that modern creative cities like Belfast have a purpose-built centre for creative excellence. I am delighted that the young people of Belfast and Northern Ireland will now have the chance to follow their artistic dreams, and that the people of Northern Ireland will be able to enjoy the best art from around the world in The MAC’s galleries and theatres.”

FAQ