Grant funding enables free arts

Adrian Lester OBE and People’s Postcode Lottery support free weekend of creative activity at mac.

Adrian Lester, Birmingham born actor and mac birmingham supporter has welcomed the planned weekend of free creative activities, made possible by the generous players of People’s Postcode Lottery, at the mac arts centre on 6th-7th September, 10am–4pm.

Visitors young and old will have the opportunity to enjoy a whole host of workshops and events, featuring mac’s extensive creative learning programme, this includes: dance, music, well-being and gallery tours. In addition, on the first day, New Art West Midlands and mac resident artist, Anna Smith, will unveil a brand new installation piece Swing, which defies gravity and will amaze children and adults alike.

mac’s ‘taster’ weekend activities will take place in its state of the art facilities, including dance studios, music rooms and media suites with each workshop led by practicing artists, all of whom teach the many courses on offer at mac throughout the year. Scheduled activities include; baby toddler and craft sessions, Zumba, yoga and Capoeira classes. For those interested in artistic performance, drama and comedy stand-up classes on offer. Visual arts is covered with pottery session’s taking place in mac’s art studios and visitors can enjoy gallery tours and photography ‘how to classes’ across the building and within mac’s media suite.

The bite-size classes include children’s animation, baby and toddler craft workshops, alongside Zumba, yoga and capoeira classes. For those who’d like to tread the boards, there is drama and comedy stand-up sessions. All the sessions take place in mac’s state of the art facilities and are led by practicing artists, all of whom teach the many courses on offer at mac throughout the year.

Commenting on his time at mac, and the Taster Weekend, actor Adrian Lester said: My time spent in the Birmingham Youth Theatre and with The Children’s Opera Company, both at mac birmingham, have left me with some great memories of the centre and the dedicated staff who work there. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without the opportunities and confidence that mac offered me.

“I recently returned there with my wife, Lolita Chakrabarti (who also did some work with the Birmingham Youth theatre at mac) and our children. It was great to be able to take our kids to the place that had such an incredible impact on me when I was their age. Needless to say they were quite impressed by the work they saw. I am very pleased that players of People’s Postcode Lottery have decided to support this amazing arts centre, which is so close to my heart.

“Helping mac to reach out to children, young people and families who have not had too many chances to experience or participate in the arts is a wonderful gift, and it will have a transformative impact on so many young lives. I know it did for me. Thank you so much for your support of mac birmingham!”

Sanjay Singh, Trusts Manager at People’s Postcode Lottery added:“I am delighted that players of People’s Postcode Lottery are able to support mac birmingham and their free weekend of creative activity. It is wonderful that it’s not only children but the whole family unit who will benefit from the taster weekend and experience a variety of opportunities that they may not have experienced before. I’m sure it will be a fantastic weekend!”