ABOUT US
A registered charity (SC028270), Moray Art Centre, for the last 20 years, has offered an annual programme of local and international exhibitions and events alongside a full programme of workshops for all levels.
Each year during July and August the centre hosts a vibrant Summer School taught by award winning artists and tutors and attracting both local art enthusiasts and international visitors.
After the worldwide challenges of 2020, we entered into a new phase of our evolution by selling and sharing the centre building with Ekopia Social Investments Limited. MAC can now continue to run our many in-person and online classes, workshops and Summer School while exhibiting work in the beautiful gallery spaces. Ekopia manages the art studios and converted the rest of the building into a fun and welcoming community arts café with an outdoor, sheltered space.
Moray Art Centre is situated in an incredibly rich, natural environment where visitors are both inspired and impressed by the diversity of the area. We are a vibrant and motivating organisation that allows people to be part of a community of like-minded people. Our spaces provide a relaxing, artistic environment that foster creativity and education for all ages, making art accessible to all.
Based adjacent to the Findhorn Foundation Eco-village community, Moray Art Centre is situated close to the coastal village of Findhorn, in the historic county of Moray, which lies on the north-east coast of Scotland. The nearest town is Forres (four miles from the Centre) and the nearest cities are Inverness (approx. 30 miles) and Aberdeen (approx. 85 miles)
The centre is set within an area of outstanding natural beauty that is rich in nature and provides a truly tranquil setting that is only a few minutes’ walk to the Findhorn dunes and beach. The nearby coastline is featured in many natural history programmes for the passing bottlenose dolphin population.
Across the Findhorn Bay is Culbin Forest, which now stands on the largest sand dunes in the UK. The general landscape is made up of rolling farmland and woodland, stretching into moorland towards the foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains, one of Scotland’s national parks, which is only a 40 minute drive from the art centre.
As well as an abundance of natural produce, Moray is also well-known for the many whisky distilleries that are dotted along its rivers and glens.
OUR MISSION
We aim to provide a safe space in which people can express their creativity.
We aim to provide a springboard for young artists to earn practical skills, explore their talent and sell their work.
No artistic media is considered over others - theatre, sculpture, music, movement, painting and more - all are welcome!
We recognise and celebrate the rich local culture throughout Moray and the North of Scotland.
We champion local artists and their talents.
We engage with local and national organisations to ensure that there are no social barriers to art and creativity in Moray.
THE ARCHITECTURE OF OUR BUILDING
Moray Art Centre is based upon low environmental impact building, through ecological and sustainable material specification. From the start, the aim of the building was to minimise the on-going operational expenditure through investing in efficient heating, lighting, ventilation and water systems. The plan was originally derived from a rigorous public consultation exercise, from which the design of the facilities and services was established, maximising overall economic social and environmental benefits. The project used locally sourced materials and, wherever possible, ecologically-friendly building materials.
The centre also benefits from an ecologically engineered sewage treatment plant, the Living Machine, which is situated in the Findhorn Eco-village. All water from sinks and toilets in the area is recycled. We also try to ensure, where possible, that all waste is recycled too.
The building has become a resource for learning, as it is a model of eco sustainability and recognised in a number of architectural awards.