The MAC is a good spot to spend a few hours and get in touch with your arty creative side. There…read moreare normally at least two exhibitions on show which are usually pretty quirky and reminded me alot of some of the galleries I visited in Paris. Exhibitions are very modern and new age quite like the building itself which is architecturally pleasing. Downstairs there is a reception area, kids play area and 'Native' cafe which also serves alcohol. Seating is plentiful and really comfortable. Make sure and go to the 2nd floor of the building where you will find an amazing white leather sofa which once you perch on you will want to just curl up and stay forever. I really want one for home! There are lots of shows in the theatre and upcoming listings can be found at the reception. There are lifts throughout and wheelchair access is excellent. It's also based in St Anne's Square so has a multi storey carpark park nearby and lots of on street parking around the side streets.

Cafe breakfast didn't come as described, mentioned to the waiter who went to "ask the chef" and…read morenever returned. Short changed, poor service

The Ard's Art Centre was a surprising and rewarding find for me over the past year or so. A friend…read moreof a friend works there and had often said to call in when passing and so one day a few weeks ago I did. I discovered not only a town hall but several large spaces which are used for various events from all around Northern Ireland. There are gallery spaces for local artists to display their work, large function rooms housing everything from face painting in the summer to guitar festivals in the Autumn. The building is large, bright and welcoming so if you are in Ards for a few hours and want to know what to do call in and the friendly staff (ask for Graham!) will give you leaflets about local attractions.

Amazing experience at the Ulster Museum . The experience was fantastic . A vat of information was…read morehad . The cafe was clean and tasty . The price was even better . I would highly recommend this place for all ages .

We visited the Ulster Museum after we had done quite a few other attractions and decided to only…read morefocus on one of the displays, namely the section dedicated to the Troubles. Extremely informative and well-presented.

I love browsing through art galleries and the Engine Room is the latest small gallery in Belfast I…read morehave stumbled upon. Run by East Belfast Arts Collective, this Gallery has moved from its original location in a mill Engine Room to a street-level showroom just a little further east on the Newtownards Road. Since the Engine Room opened in the mid 1990s it has been according to the gallery "an engine at the core of the development of contemporary art in Belfast." The range of works on show include everything from oils and acrylics to prints, video, sculpture, arte povere, installation art and new technology. The gallery also aim to showcase lesser known local artists alongside more well known artists with international profiles. There are new exhibitions every month.

This is a great Gallery space in the heart of East Belfast. It hosts local, national and…read moreInternational exhibition. The latest exhibition from 1st April 2010 is a solo show by Deirdre Robb. works on display are paintings, installations and expeimental prints

Although it is tucked in one of Newtownards' lesser travelled streets (North Street to be precise)…read moreyou cannot miss the Web Theatre due to its rather bright (and suitably dramatic) yellow front. The theatre is a hub of dramatic development for young people, with classes ranging for those aged 6 months to 16. As well as acting, classes also include ballet and musical theatre- there is even a talent agency which the young people can join. Whilst this may appear to be a typical theatre school (albeit a rather expensive one) at first glance, I was surprised to learn that it is also Northern Ireland's only privately owned theatre. With shows ranging from traditional music to plays by local amateur dramatic groups, the majority of the shows are produced and performed by local talent. In recent years there have also been a number of national touring productions that have visited the theatre. It is also the home of a local amateur dramatic group which performs a pantomime each year and is well supported. The 150-seat theatre may lack the grandeur of Belfast's opera house, but its intimate atmosphere gives it a certain quaint charm. There is also a lobby area within the theatre which serves as a bar during intervals (where various wines can be purchased) as well as a cafe downstairs. The theatre is almost reminiscent of a museum, with photographs of its conversion from a 18th century factory scattered throughout. As well as plays, the theatre's stage also plays host to childrens' birthday parties- as it offers a package where children can dress up in theatrical costumes and engage in a number of party games, complete with backgrounds, sound and a special effects system. The parties are also tailored to a number of themes such as pirates, princesses and even a space setting. Although the drama lessons may be a tad expensive (especially in the current economic climate) the Web Theatre is truly one of Ards' treasures.

Those interested in matters architectural can enjoy a pleasant browse in the Place centre on…read moreFountain Street where there's an informal reading room set up containing books on architectural design, landscape gardens and related topics plus a selection of journals such as Blueprint, Architects Journal and Perspective. If that's your line it is useful stopping point and though the collection isn't large someone will happily seek out anything that might be useful to you. Set up some five or six years ago, Place is the architecture and built environment centre for Northern Ireland and aims to promote awareness of buildings, landscape and townscape. They organise regular exhibitions and community engagement projects, which I look forward to checking out in future. Place is open Monday - Saturday.

According to their website "PLACE is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the…read moremaking of great places across Northern Ireland. PLACE is composed of a multi-disciplinary team combining expertise and extensive experience in architecture, town planning, visual art, curation, design, social science, education, research, community engagement and event management." Went to their "The Unbearable Lightness of Beeing" exhibition opening (my first visit) which was a display of entries for a competition PLACE NI ran asking people to design a beehive. The designs had been transformed into 3D models via a 3D printer. Was a tad disappointed as the exhibition was so small - literally one wall. However it was interesting and the public got the chance to see the 3D printer at work. Unfortunately it was in the corner of what looked like a working office (lots of messy desks at one side of the room!) and hence didn't feel like a exhibition at all. My friend and I felt a little like we were intruding into someone's personal space! There was a little table set up in a corner with beers and drinks on offer and while I'll normally happily pick up a drink at an art exhibition opening - because this exhibition was so empty of people (apart from a few people standing around the table chatting - possibly PLACE NI staff) I was a bit reluctant to help myself. Would have been nice if the girl serving the drinks had asked us if we would have liked one! On the plus side there was good music playing, even if the general atmosphere felt a little strange and awkward. However I hear great things about this organisation and will make a point of going back again to view any other exhibits or events.

Belfast Exposed was founded in 1983 as part of a community photographic initiative. It now acts as…read morea gallery / exhibition area for photographers with an emphasis on commissioning and a view to publishing new work. It is an extensive gallery which also runs a community outreach programme . Their aim is to help people to learn from and understand their community through photography and they offer a range of courses and developmental programmes. Belfast Exchange is the archive programme compiled of over half a million images collected over the last 30 years in Belfast. These are a great and interesting insight in to Belfast life and events over the past years. Call in to the gallery, or to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum to see the archive of photographs. You never know, you might spot some one you know! This is an invaluable part of our history which should be cherished and supported. As far as the gallery goes, most of the time I've been in I have to say I haven't been overly impressed with the work they've decided to show, but that's just my taste. On occasions there's been pictures that have blown me away, that's more a rarity though. The gallery has great potential for doing some amazing things but I think its stuck in a bit of a rut as far as choice and selection is concerned. Their concept of the community gallery is a great idea; I just wish they could carry it all through properly.

Belfast Exposed was founded in 1983 as a community based arts initiative. The photographers who…read morefounded Belfast Exposed wanted to use the art form of photography as a way to break down barriers in Belfast and the rest of the world. Since then, Belfast Exposed has been holding art exhibitions, community events and also training and development classes for those looking to learn the art form of photography. The gallery exhibition changes every couple of months and hosts a fantastic collection of work from Belfast, Ireland and beyond. Their web site holds a treasure trove of archival material from Belfast and Northern Ireland's past.

I would classify Golden Thread as an avant-gard gallery. On 3 August 2017, I visited to see Derek…read moreWilson's ceramics and the opening of Alistair Wilson's 'Signs and Ciphers' installation art exhibition. Interesting, amusing and thought-provoking work showcased in a large space which has an industrial/ warehouse vibe. I enjoyed the sense of adventure involved in wondering what would confront me as I turned each corner. A perfect way to pickle the brain and intrigue the senses - plus the hospitality of wine and beer was greatly appreciated!

One of my favourite galleries in Belfast. It shows a wide range of work from local and…read moreinternational artist. Great for #LateNightArt