Every year, MAC connects thousands of people to the arts through their participation, community and outreach work as an arts charity. This vital investment by Arts Council England will allow MAC to offer many more creative experiences to a much wider audience. As well as meeting the increasing demands for participation work within the sector.

As one of the most visited cultural attractions in the West Midlands welcoming over one million visitors each year, this funding will make MAC a more environmentally-conscious and efficient building. The improvements will also benefit artists and visitors that regularly engage with MAC through the provision of additional space in which to run further courses and workshops as part of the centre’s creative programme.

Deborah Kermode, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of MAC, said: “This has always been about opening MAC up to even more people. We don’t believe art is a passive past-time. We want people to come here to make, see and do creative things that enrich their lives. On behalf of our visitors, we would like to thank Arts Council England for their ongoing support.”

Peter Knott, Area Director, Arts Council England, added: “This is fantastic news for the West Midlands. Arts and culture play a vital role in making the area a great place to live and we’re pleased to be supporting MAC as it creates new opportunities for artists to develop and audiences to experience creativity in an environmentally friendly way.

“Our Capital: Small Grants programme provides organisations with vital funding to ensure that their buildings and equipment can adequately support their work, allowing them to produce even more excellent work for the public.”