McAninch Arts Center (MAC)

The McAninch Arts Center (MAC) is where professional arts, education and community come together at College of DuPage. By bringing world-class artists, student learning and community engagement under one roof, the MAC creates opportunities to experience the arts not simply as an audience member, but through immersive learning, creative exploration and meaningful connection.

Named in honor of the College’s second president, Dr. Harold D. McAninch, the MAC opened in October 1986 and has grown into one of the region’s leading cultural and educational destinations, welcoming audiences to exceptional performing and visual arts experiences while providing students with extraordinary opportunities to learn alongside working professionals.

The MAC features four distinctive performance spaces: the 780-seat Belushi Performance Hall, the intimate 186-seat Playhouse Theatre, the flexible Studio Theatre, and the outdoor Lakeside Pavilion. The complex is also home to the Cleve Carney Museum of Art, which presents ambitious exhibitions featuring artists and collections from around the world. Beyond its stages and galleries, the MAC is a vibrant academic center, housing programs and learning spaces for Animation, Art, Graphic Design, Motion Picture/Television (MPTV), Music, Photography, Pottery and Theater.

At the MAC, the arts experience extends far beyond attending a performance or exhibition. Visiting artists become part of the educational experience through master classes, workshops, artist conversations, lectures and other opportunities that connect students and community members directly with professional artists. The MAC’s extensive community and educational outreach also includes pre- and post-performance programs and School Stage, which brings thousands of area K–12 students to campus for engaging, curriculum-connected arts experiences.

The MAC is home to two professional resident ensembles, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble and New Philharmonic, and annually presents an exciting mix of national and international touring artists, resident company productions, exhibitions, and College of DuPage student theater, dance and music performances.

Since opening its doors, the MAC has welcomed more than 2.5 million people to experience theater, music, dance and the visual arts – while creating countless opportunities for students to learn, perform, exhibit, collaborate and discover what is possible through the arts.

In an average week, the MAC hosts:

• 3.7 public events
• 2.2 rental events
• 1.5 non-art college department use
• 10.25 rehearsals 
• MAC has 7.4 scheduled events per week, 52 weeks a year = 384 events a year

• View the floor plan
• The MAC website