From 1 September 2026, Ekopia took over the lower ground floor of the Moray Art Centre (MAC), and will be administering it as a thriving multi-use hub while retaining its value and status as a beloved art venue for the whole Moray region.
Take a look at its new website – tour the venue, and book for your event.
Rather than arrive with a plan, we launched CHI, the Community Hub Initiative (chi also means life force), and asked: what does our community need? Over three days, 22–24 September, you answered with memories, visions, food and heart.
See how the three days unfolded.
Day 1: The Old Community Centre
(over 60 people visited)
We gathered memories, photos and stories of the old Community Centre, lost in the 2021 fire. People remembered it as the heart of the community: shared meals, a living room open to all, celebrations, and a welcome for every newcomer. We also named honestly what didn’t work.
Day 2: The 2031 Community Hub
(over 50 people visited)
Taking a ‘time machine’ to 2031, participants imagined a new community centre on the old site. They pictured it at the heart of a network of hubs, with shared kitchens, green gardens, space for art and children laughing everywhere.
Day 3: From Stories to Step
(over 30 people visited)
We worked backwards from that vision to ask what we can do now, what comes next and what belongs in 2031. First steps include regular potluck dinners, a warm community living room at the MAC and better acoustics. Community members also offered to champion each area.
What’s next?
The Moray Art Centre will act as a bridge: a place to start gathering again while planning begins for a new community centre, built together and in stages. There are many ways to get involved, and new champions are always welcome.
Take a look at the full harvest of all the Storyfest energy and ideas!
Thank you to everyone who shared a story, a meal or a dream with us, and to the CHI-Tenders for making it happen. Thank you to Cornelia Featherstone, Caroline Geurtsen, Lora Wedge and archives for images.
To get involved and be part of the MAC Hub’s unfolding story, please contact hello@mac-hub.uk
