Birmingham’s Midlands Art Centre (MAC) is this month hosting its fifth annual EcoFest. Taking place on Sunday 19 September as part of Great Big Green Week - a national initiative celebrating action on climate change - the festival will showcase a programme of green events, including exhibitions, talks, creative workshops and screenings. 

Together with other local eco-friendly organisations, MAC will look at how people can work together to make a positive impact on the environment.

Featured events include talks by Extinction Rebellion, Climate Action Network West Midlands, Plastic Free Moseley, ecobirmingham, Councillor Waseem Zaffar and artist Aiden Moseby. EcoFest’s celebrity guest, horticulturalist and journalist Alys Fowler, will also be hosting a talk. 

A workshop presented by one of MAC’s artist tutors will encourage families to get creative and learn how to re-use recyclable materials.

As well as creative workshops and artist installations - including an accessible event held by d/Deaf artist Olivier Jamin - there will be a number of stalls hosted by environmental groups (including Animal Rebellion, Incredible Surplus and Birmingham Trees For Life), where visitors can find out more about green living.

A screening of Escape From Extinction will show in MAC’s cinema at 3pm. Narrated by Helen Mirren, the film examines the work of major zoological organisations as they race against the clock to preserve the millions of species disappearing in today’s Sixth Mass Extinction. Tickets are now available to purchase online. 

Music by MAC Makes Music students - created as part of inclusive songwriting celebration the Eco Music Project - also features, while the venue’s new Café KILN will be more environmentally friendly, whether that be through the food cooked or its plastic usage. KILN is actively encouraging visitors to buy and use its reusable cups - or to take along their own to use time and time again.

A range of vegetarian and vegan options is always available on KILN’s menu - both to keep MAC’s catering inclusive and to push its sustainability goals even further. The restaurant also offers alternatives to dairy, with oat and coconut milk available. 

Carl Finn, Head of Catering & Hospitality, said of KILN’s involvement at EcoFest: “We at KILN are excited to be involved in EcoFest 2021 - it’s an event that we have close to our hearts. Although we strive to be as sustainable as we can, we are all still learning, and this event will help us to become better. For EcoFest 2021, we will be making our express grab & go 100% vegan, and will also be hosting a Dirty Vegan street food tent. Can’t wait to see you there.”

EcoFest takes place at MAC Birmingham on Sunday 19 September. Check out the venue’s website for updates on programming and timings.