OUR STORY
The MAC Is Participating in The Great Give!
About The Great Give
Celebrating its 15th year in 2024, The Great Give is returning on May 1-2. This 36-hr, online, community-wide giving event was created by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven to raise visibility and resources for nonprofits serving Greater New Haven. Last year, thanks to the generosity of thousands of donors, the efforts of participating organizations, and sponsorships, the event raised an impressive $3.43 million for a record number of 516 local nonprofits.
Donations will be accepted beginning Friday, April 26.
We are the heart of the Arts
Certified in 1972 as a 501c3, Milford Arts Council (MAC) is the only full service arts organization in the state of Connecticut that presents and supports each and every art form, from live music and theatre to visual arts, dance, the written word, and so much more. There is always more.
Our staff and volunteers work tirelessly to make arts experiences happen in our main venue, "the MAC", in downtown Milford, at the Firehouse Gallery in Walnut Beach and outdoors, in Eisenhower Park and at the Milford Historical Society. That’s over 220 days/nights of programming, touching over 12,000 people of all walks and ages each and every year. Yet, we believe there is more to do.
The MAC is home
The MAC is a safe and accessible home to hundreds of performers and artists. It’s a place for visual and performing artists to both practice and present their art. It’s also home to arts lovers or anyone interested in experiencing the arts, up close and personal in a warm and intimate setting. With open arms, we welcome everyone to our home as a space to come together, to be together.
Over the past year we developed two new programs targeting our youth. Our Young Family Series embraces our youngest audiences, starting at 1 years old, with impactful and engaging experiences in art and culture to share together as a family. And our All Ages/All Inclusive Showcase series features young people ages 18-24 as producers (yes! we respectfully hand them the keys to our venue), creatives, performers, vendors and tech support to present events that welcome everyone. We now serve, support and present to every age demographic with our mission.
It is very important to us that the MAC is not just about entertainment consumption.
Many studies have shown that people desire and are moving into communities that are vibrant and alive with arts and culture. The MAC has put Milford on the map in this regard with public art and rich arts experiences. We are a movement, supporting community and economic growth. We are the heart of the Arts.
The arts mean business. So do we.
It's not just a phrase, it's a fact. Our staff, patrons, artists, performers, and volunteers are regulars at our local restaurants and shops. Our sponsors are in turn supported and acknowledged by our reach physically, regionally and on social media.
The MAC in the heart of downtown Milford CT 40 Railroad Avenue South
The MAC's main venue and home to staff is located in the heart of downtown Milford, CT in a repurposed, historic Civil War-era train station.
The MAC offers a beautiful theater with superior acoustics, intimate seating for up to 110 in theater or cabaret-style configuration, a projection theater system with a 10X20’ drop screen, exhibition area, classroom, offices, kitchenette and a Speakeasy Lounge for concessions.
It's so convenient to pop into the MAC any time. We are easily accessible by car, bus, rail, or even boat! Plenty of parking for cars, busses come right into downtown Milford, we are the closest stop on the Metro North rail because we ARE the train station, and Milford Harbor is right down the block.
The Firehouse Gallery 81 Naugatuck Avenue Walnut Beach Milford CT
Milford Arts Council also oversees the Firehouse Gallery in Walnut Beach.
The gallery opened in 2002 and offers a bright exhibition space for themed shows, visiting artists, a writing group, workshops, demonstrations, and more.
The gallery is surrounded by a vibrant arts and business district and it's only two blocks from the Long Island Sound.
Between our two venues plus offsite events, we offer a number of programs covering music, theatre, dance, visual arts, the written word, and more.
We Help the Community Thrive By
attracting the best and brightest to the community
improving community well-being
offering space for community conversation
expanding creative idea generation and problem-solving
transforming and growing people and places
empowering and giving voice to the voiceless
providing meaning and impact to people's lives
driving the economy!
HISTORY
City of Milford recognizes the “Milford Fine Arts Council” - 1971