The £15 million mac and sampad Building Project, which began in April 2008, has resulted in a newly refurbished, and much improved, arts centre built to meet the needs of both artists and the region's vibrant community.

Jointly funded by Arts Council England, Birmingham City Council and a mac and sampad fundraising campaign, the development has dramatically improved mac's ability to offer exciting events and activities as well as improving physical access.  In short, mac has a more efficient and effective home – as well as a more attractive one!

A purpose designed gallery, a first for mac, provides opportunities to maximise the commissioning of work by leading national and international visual artists, craft makers and performance artists.  All existing visual arts, crafts and performing arts studios have been fully refurbished. The redevelopment will include a completely new visual arts education suite and a dedicated audio and visual media studio with the capacity for live transmission to any other space in the building along with the capacity to capture video and audio live from any space in the centre.

The current theatre has been completely stripped out allowing the team to replace the antiquated seating, lighting and sound systems and also have new, retractable - and comfortable - seating.  The flexible performance space will allow for flat floor formats that will be able to accommodate more touring companies and providing some much-needed audience dancing space for some of our more spirited music gigs.  The Foyle Studio is a new performing arts venue equipped for rehearsal, theatre, dance making and performance with seating for almost 150 people, thanks to the support of the Charles Henry Foyle Trust.

Put simply, the development, ten years in the making, has dramatically improved mac’s ability to offer exciting events and activities for all its audiences as well as improving physical access, from the new entrance bridge helping to improve access to the building and park beyond, particularly for visitors with specific access requirements, to lifts, more loos and bigger café and bar areas. And now, we're greener and more energy-efficient too.

The new mac will secure the future of mac and sampad for the next generation. Your support has been vital in building this amazing space, and thanks to the generousity of funders and supporters like you, we have already secured over 98% of the total funding for the whole Project - an incredible achievement.  Now we’re looking for the last £40,000 to re-open the centre and asking for your help.  Find out how you can help here.

mac's partner in the Building Project is sampad, who promote the appreciation and practice of the diverse artforms originating from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.  Through its work, sampad serves, supports and initiates South Asian arts in all its forms working with young people, community, education and professional artists.