Arts Insider - Rachel Leitch, The MAC

Can you share the story of how/why you got into marketing and what drew you to working at the MAC?

I have always loved the arts, but it was only after taking a graduate management role in retail that I realised the arts was where I really wanted to work. I was lucky enough to get my first arts role with the Ulster Orchestra in Marketing and Development, and that really opened the door for me. Since then, I have gone back and completed my CIM awards, which gave me a strong grounding in marketing.

What drew me to the MAC was that it sits right in the middle of so much of Belfast’s creative life. It is a building people use in lots of different ways. Some come for exhibitions, some for theatre, some for family activities, some for a coffee, some for community programmes, and some just to be in the building. The MAC feels open, curious and full of possibility, and that is a brilliant thing to market.

The MAC has been at the heart of the arts scene in the Cathedral Quarter now for 14 years. What do you think attracts visitors to the venue?

I think people are attracted to the MAC because it is many things at once. It is a gallery, a theatre, a family space, a meeting place, a café, a creative learning hub and a civic space. You can come in with a ticket, but you can also come in without one, and that matters. There is also something about the building itself. It feels calm and open, but it still has a real energy. Being in the Cathedral Quarter helps too, because visitors can make a whole day or evening around their trip. But I think the biggest draw is that people feel welcome here. Whether they are seeing a major show, bringing children into the Playroom, taking part in a workshop, or visiting an exhibition for the first time, the MAC gives people different ways to connect with the arts.

You have had a professional history in the arts also working with Tinderbox, Ulster Orchestra, and the Lyric. How would you describe the arts scene in Northern Ireland today and what are you excited for in the future?

The arts scene in Northern Ireland is incredibly resilient, inventive and generous. I have worked with organisations of different sizes and artforms, from theatre to music to visual arts, and what always stands out is the level of ambition here. Artists and arts organisations are constantly doing a huge amount with limited resources, and still creating work that is bold, thoughtful and deeply connected to people’s lives. What excites me is the sense of collaboration.

I also think audiences are curious. They want experiences that feel meaningful, social and rooted in place. The future of the arts here will need proper investment and care, but creatively, Northern Ireland has so much to offer.

We have a jam-packed summer season in Belfast this year with Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann arriving for the first time this August. The line-up for the Fleadh at the MAC is, as expected, exciting and diverse. Can you tell us more?

During Fleadh week, the MAC will be the Irish Language Hub in the Cathedral Quarter, as well as one of the main venues for the competitions. That feels really special for us. To have that talent, energy and tradition moving through the building is going to be incredible. On top of that, we have an exciting programme of live events delivered in partnership with MayWe Events, including Kate Nash, Notify with Séamus and Caoimhe, ACGE – An Chéad Ghlúin Eile, and The Half Room.

Across the week, the MAC will be an open, welcoming Fleadh space, with opportunities for musicians to play, food and drinks, extended opening hours, kids’ activities and workshops, and our galleries open too. The Fleadh coming to Belfast for the first time is incredibly important, culturally, socially and symbolically. For the MAC, it also feels very aligned with what we do all year round.

What’s next for the MAC?

Alongside the Fleadh, our galleries remain free to visit, with exhibitions open Tuesday to Sunday, and we continue to offer creative learning, family activities and community programmes throughout the year.

And looking ahead, we have a packed autumn programme. Just some highlights include the Glass Menagerie and The songs of Joni Mitchell as part of Belfast International Arts Festival and some great comedy shows from Andrew Ryan and Suzi Ruffell. Our Christmas show this year is Goldilocks and the Three Bears, which is always such a special time at the MAC. It brings schools, families and audiences of all ages into the building, and the whole place comes alive.

Find out more - The MAC Belfast | Metropolitan Arts Centre

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to be Principal Funder of the MAC.