City Centre Success Stories: The story of the much loved MAC

By Emily Whitehead, BID Business Support Officer
I arrived at the MAC to chat with Caroline Sherratt, Education Officer for the Mitchell Arts Centre in Hanley to a bustling cafe area, full of folks enjoying a coffee, catching up on emails and Caroline’s group talking all things accessibility and progress for the much loved MAC. 

This atmosphere is not because it was a sunny day for a coffee but something that seems to seep through the walls of the building. It feels like a welcoming hug of a place which immediately creates a sense of excitement and future. 
 

As part of my role to tell stories of Stoke on Trent city centre, I wanted to learn more about the MAC’s recent Lottery Fund success to ‘break down barriers’ for those visiting the theatre who need extra support. Additional needs such as hearing or sight loss will be addressed using technology and new staff training to ensure that all visitors not only feel welcome but can enjoy an enriching experience at the MAC. Caroline and her team are already working in consultation with many stakeholders to ensure that the MAC continues to ‘serve people as best we can’. This work compliments and extends the already hugely successful youth workshops, half term provision and work to help reduce isolation in the city to name a few. 



This project is also typical of the Mitchell Arts Centre in that it was originally bought and launched with public money to ‘improve the lives of Stoke-on-Trent citizens and in particular young people’ and as a tribute to designer of the Spitfire, Reginald Mitchell in 1957. Nearly 70 years later, the building is still working hard towards its vision priorities, creative writing, theatre, film and digital.
 

Of course, it mustn’t be forgotten that The Mitchell Arts Centre continues to be a place to be entertained and to enjoy with a huge range of musical, theatre and film productions and screenings across the year. 

Caroline’s evident enthusiasm and passion for the city where she grew up is infectious and be sure that there are even more projects in the pipeline as the MAC continues to deliver exceptional service to its community. As Caroline says, ‘'My first few years working at Mitchell Arts centre have been such a joy and the opportunity has helped me gain personal growth. 
 

My aim in education is to continue to make arts accessible, to keep speaking up for working class voices, and to continue making space for people to be truly seen.’'

We can't wait to see how this grant helps to rejuvenate and add quality programming to the local community.