About the 'MAC'
The McMillan Arts Centre (the MAC) is a place of open doors and open minds — a community where people gather to learn about the arts, enjoy them, support them, and explore their own creative spark. We welcome artists of every background and level of experience, and we believe creativity thrives best in a space rooted in respect, curiosity, and belonging.
What exactly is the MAC?
It is a building, a venue, on McMillan St., in Parksville, that showcases the works of 2D, 3D and performance art. The MAC is also a place where various concerts, workshops, and rehearsals are held. Local businesses rent rooms for meetings.
We offer the following:
- Gallery Space for local artists
- Local Art for sale in our Gift Shop
- A School offering Art Workshops and Classes for Adults, Seniors and Kids!
- A local Box Office for events around central Vancouver Island and Oceanside
- A Community Garden offering food and gardening classes
Oceanside Community Arts Council owns the MAC.
Many of our favourite people say "MEET YOU AT THE MAC!"
McMillan arts centre
Oceanside's Community Arts Centre and School
What is the Oceanside Community Arts Council (OCAC)?
It is a non-profit organization chartered by the British Columbia Arts Council. There are many community Arts Councils across BC. The OCAC’s area of responsibility extends from Bowser to Nanoose Bay and west to Coombs including the municipalities of Parksville and Qualicum Beach.
In BC, a community arts council is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the arts mainly by funding local artists, awarding prizes, and organizing arts and cultural events in their region of responsibility.
The primary role of a community arts council is to assist its members to apply for grant money and to disperse that money appropriately to carry out the events and programs developed by the OCAC and its members.
Oceanside Community Arts Council
Oceanside Community Arts Council
History, Vision and Mandate
MAC Mission Statement
The MAC provides a vibrant inclusive environment to experience the creative climate of the Oceanside community.
Parksville's Legacy since 1913
One of the oldest buildings in the area, the current McMillan Arts Centre started life as Parksville School in 1913. At that time, Memorial was one of the main streets in Parksville, and the building was a centrepiece. The Oceanside Community Arts Council (OCAC) purchased the building in the 1990s and the upper part of the building became the McMillan Arts Centre (the MAC), a project of the OCAC. The building is owned in Partnership with Inclusion Parksville.
To learn more about the history of the McMillan Arts Centre building itself, be sure to visit the Parksville Qualicum Beach Historic Tour online, and check out the Historic Tour signpost at the front of the building (we are Stop #7 on the tour).
Visit the MAC
McMillan Arts Centre, Parksville, British Columbia, Vancouver Island, Canada
133 McMillan Street
Tuesday to Sunday: 11am - 3pm