Macrobert Arts Centre

Macrobert Arts Centre stands on the campus of the University of Stirling, a short walk from the lochside campus heart. The building opened in 1971 as Scotland’s first purpose-built arts centre, created by Tom Cottrell, the university’s founding principal. Cottrell wanted the arts to shape the university’s culture from the start. Today it programmes cinema, comedy, dance, exhibitions, family events, music, opera and theatre. Audiences come from Stirling, the Forth Valley and beyond. The centre is a registered charity under Scottish law. Creative Scotland and the University of Stirling provide core funding, yet 70 per cent of its income comes from ticket sales, donations, grants and sponsorship. In 2002 the building reopened after a refurbishment by Appleton Architects and Buro Happold. The programme keeps changing, offering something for every taste and age. Inside, the auditorium hosts concerts and plays while the cinema shows new releases and classics. The galleries mount changing exhibitions of art and photography. Family rooms host workshops and storytelling sessions. The foyer often holds small pop-up events and displays. Outside, the campus loch and woods provide a quiet walk before or after a show.