COMMUNITIES minister Carál Ní Chuilín was among the first visitors at the Mac arts centre in Belfast as it reopened following an eight-week closure.
Galleries and museums across Northern Ireland were able open their doors again after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted on Friday.
Ms Ní Chuilín was given a tour of the exhibitions as well as a display of work by the public, children and artists entitled ‘In a Rainbow of Coalitions’, which reflects the impact the pandemic has had on society.
She was also given a preview of the venue's newly repurposed Luminaire Cinema, which holds a maximum of 32 people.
The Sinn Féin minister said: “This has undoubtedly been a difficult time for the arts sector and while the restrictions for theatres, concert halls and live music remain in place, the restrictions are intended to be temporary and will be relaxed and ultimately removed as soon as circumstances permit, and hopefully those circumstances have moved a little closer given recent events.”
Anne McReynolds, chief executive at the Mac, said arts and culture would be a vital part of Northern Ireland's recovery in 2021.
"The pandemic has forced our theatres, music venues and organisations to close at a time when our communities needed us the most, so we hope that as we reopen, we can bring some much-needed colour and light to our visitors' lives."
