The Stage

ACE grants MAC £5m to build Sampad new home

Published Tuesday 29 June 2004 at 11:05 by Ruth Gillespie

The Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham has been awarded a £5 million grant from Arts Council England in support of a new building initiative to provide a permanent home for South Asian development agency Sampad.

Work on the £18 million project is scheduled to start in 2006 and expected to be completed within four years. Plans include a new 500-seat auditorium, with the current studio theatre converted into an exhibition area, improved spaces for education and outreach work and a complete internal refurbishment.

Sampad has been based at Mac since it was established 13 years ago and throughout this period the two organisations have regularly collaborated on programming and commissioning events. Plans to improve and extend the centre’s facilities were revealed after Sampad confirmed earlier this year that it would continue to be based at Mac rather than move into new premises of its own.

Dorothy Wilson, director of Mac, said: “We are delighted that ACE has made this award - at the maximum level allowed under their capital scheme. This signals their recognition of the importance of Mac and Sampad and their contribution to working with us to secure an extended and renewed physical home fit for the 21st century.”

Founded in 1963 as the Midlands Arts Centre for Young People, Mac has helped launch the careers of performers such as Tony Robinson and Lesley Joseph and continues to run more than 140 courses in drama, music, circus skills and dance. With 650,000 visitors a year, the centre currently offers performance facilities for theatre, music, comedy and magic shows.