The MAC

The building

Designed by Belfast practice Hackett Hall McKnight, the building was completed in February 2012 and opened that April on a tight, roughly trapezium-shaped plot facing St Anne's Cathedral. Inside, look out for The Permanent Present, Mark Garry's installation of 400 copper strands. The centre has welcomed around 1.5 million visitors since it opened. The design makes the most of a small, awkward site, and it is worth wandering through the public spaces even if you are not seeing a show.

What's on

Programming spans visual art, theatre, dance and experimental performance, with workshops aimed at families. Because the line-up changes constantly, check the programme before you go and book performances in advance. With opening on almost every day of the year, it is a reliable rainy-day option in the city centre.

Making an afternoon of it

St Anne's Cathedral is just across the square and the Cathedral Quarter's bars and restaurants are all around. Established Coffee is about 100 metres away for a coffee before or after, and the Harp Bar is close by for an evening drink after a show. It is a good place to start an evening in the quarter.

Highlights

• Opened in April 2012
• Designed by Hackett Hall McKnight
• Exhibitions, theatre, dance and family workshops
• Mark Garry's copper-strand installation The Permanent Present
• Open 363 days a year

Good to know

• Open 363 days a year; check the programme for show times.
• Parking is available at St Anne's Square.

Frequently asked questions